The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26
WATTS A LEADER
WHEN WAR CLOSED
Judge Cooke Follows Career of
Distinguished Soldier Who
Fought With Lee.
tContinued From Last sunday.

NSOilLiubtu biu Last scuuUdy,J
After the close of the war and dur
ing the Reconstruction period. Colonel
Watts devoted his life chiefly to farm
lag, but later on resumed his practice.
and. at all times. enjoyed the conf
aeuce OF the people and took no small
part In adjusting and reconciling the
community in which ho lived to the
new conditions which existed as the
result OF the great conflict. His
ability, character and prob!ty were
well recognized throughout the State.
and he was a. party 10 all counsels.
political or otherwise. which were in
tended 70 alleviate the conditions OF
the people and TO restore TO them the
proper control OF the affairs OF their
state. which was finally accomplished
under the Constitution adopted In 1869.
About this time he was called Upon
by his state to serve with Ex-Governor
Wise and othe. az commissioners for
the purposo OF adjusting a controversy
with the State OF Maryland concern
ing the boundary lines OF the two
States, which was accomplished with
satisfaction to the two Common
wealths and with proper regard to
the dignity OF the parties in interest
4 In RAILROAD Busincss.
Later he-was engaged in large SER
vices for the material bench, of the
State in the consolidation of the rail-
roads which. together, extended from
Norfolk to Bristol At this early day
he realized the impracticability OF
conducting successfully the transpor-
tat!on business OF the country by a
series OF small railroads under differ
ent managements. Progressive business
interests could no; be developed under
such restrictions, and hence he was
Nrd NUN r-sn ~ On, -at Ntal
an MIA efforts which finally resulted
in the organization of the Atlantic.
mississippi and Ohio Railroad. which
Incorporated under one ownership and
control the three separate lines OF
road which extended through the State.
ii was without doubt through his
counsel, aid and personal efforts that
this great work was. after surmount-
ing many difficulties, finally accom-
Tlished. In spite of various vfcissitudes
OF fortune, this original consolidation
still remains the basis OF the pres
ent Norfolk and Western Railway.
which has heen so important a factor
In the development OF the resources OF
Virginia.
Marriage to Miss Allen.
In the year 1881 happy marriage
was contracted by Colonel Watts.
which brought to "Oaklands" as Its
mistress an accompanied daughter OK
the distinguished jurist, John j, Allen,
then and for many years after the
president OF the Virginia Supreme
Court OF Appeals. There was born TO
this marriage a. son. John Allen Watts,
who himself became a lawyer of dis
tinction, and whose death not many
years ago In the maturity of his man
hood was a distinct loss to the city
and county OF Roanoke. but concern
ing him Ii is not necessary to make
special mention at this time. owing TO
the fact that other records OF this
court bear witness to his character
as man and his ability as a lawyer.
A Kind Master.
AS an element to be reckoned with
In the life OF Colonel Watts and as
part Of the civilization which he
inherited, mention must be made OF
the fact that he was the owner OF a
large number OF slaves. and. in his
relationship to these dependents his
character was peculiarly attractive.
The system of slavery as 1t existed
In Virginia was typically illustrated
In the family and domestic life at
"Oaklands. Whatever abuses under
the system were made possible Nv its
existence, yet SO strongly did human
sympathy and affection bind together
master and servant in the Virginia
home that the harshest critic has
been at loss to find fault with these
concrete examples OF a system which
produced hoh eS OF such Simple dignity