Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1916-05-31
DEATH CAME SUDDENLY
SaIOma S. Watts of Lancaster,
Summoned to Great Beyond.
BURIAL IN MASSACHUSETTS
Miss Watts Was Known As Eccentric,
But Generous and Charitable Per-
SOn-Search For Heirs.

The life of one of Lancaster's best
known residents came to a sudden
end some time between last Friday
morning and Monday morning of this
week. Neighbors of Miss Saloma S.
Watts, who lived alone at $50 South
Monroe street, became worried on
Monday and notified the city authori
ties that no signs of life had been
noticed around the Watts residence
for several days.
After considering the matter John
Stone and George Mccarthy deemed
an investigation necessary, and OBJ
tanned entrance to the house. This
was about 10 o'clock. They found Miss
Watts lying dead in her bedroom.
Drs. Gault and Fowler were called
at once and examined the body CIV
ing an opinion that Miss Watts had
died in CONFUSION, that death was
due to natural causes and had occur
red at least twenty-four hours before.
Miss Watts was last seen alive on
Friday morning, when she called J.
p. Benedict, who was caring for her
lawn, and asked him to go after some
medicine. Miss Watts stated at the
time that she had been i'll the night
before.
Mr.. Brennan who has acted as legal
adviser to Miss Watts at various times
in the past, wired Monday to a Mrs.
E. NJ. Engler of Lynn, Mass, with
whom Miss Watts had had correspond
ence on different matters the past
month. 1t was known that Miss Watts
came from New England and had ex-
pressed the intention several times
Of going back there to live.
Mr.. Brennan notified Mrs. Engler of
Miss Watts death and asked regard
ing a family burial lot in Lynn. Mrs.
EngIer was also asked to notify any
existing relatives in that section. A
reply was received from Mrs. Engler
yesterday saying that the family lot
was located in Pine Grove cemetery,
Lynn, Mass, and offering to attend to
arrangements there if so desired.
Arrangements were then made to
carry out Miss Watts wishes and ship
the body to-day to Lynn. The proba-
bilities are that George Mccarthy of
this city will accompany the remains
and make some inquiries regarding
existing relatives.
Miss Watts came to Grant county
about 80 years ago when Cyrus Sar-
gent, an uncle, died leaving the Watts
family One-haIf of his estate While
the matter was being settled up in
the courts Miss Watts mother and
brother, who shared with her in the
legacy, passed away and she became
sole heir to property valued at $50,O00
She made her home from that time on
in this county. Miss Watts was spok-
en- of as one that did good in secret
for many were the acts of charity in
which only she and the recipient
knew of the deed.
She gave away the great bulk of
her property and also it is said had
some losses through injudicious in
vestments. While eccentric, she had
a very kind heart and her sudden
passing while alone and i'll has Great
ed much sympathy among those who
knew her.
Up until yesterday morning no
trace had been found of her will or
other papers relating. to the DISPOSE
ton of the estate, and her written
wishes in regard to burial. Nothing
is known at present as to the value
of her estate.
Little is known about Miss Watts
as she was of very reticent nature.
She is thought to have been past 60
years of age.
1t is said that some cousins reside in
New England where the family orig
inally came from.