The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-09-29
GEORGIA MEMBER DIED
AT WASHINGTON
ASTHMAATTACK CAUSE
Prominent Figure In Politics
and Welded Strong Influence
Among People
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.l

E. Watson of Georgia died suddenly
at his home early today. Death
was said to be due to an acute at
tack of asthma from which Senator
Watson had suffered recurrently
for some years. Although failing
health had interrupted Senator Wat
sons attendance at senate sessions
frequently in the last several
months, he was in his seat Friday
when the senate adjourned and his
friends believed that he was then
showing improvement. He was
stricken suddenly after dinner last
night and passed away shortly after
three o'clock this morning. He was
sixty six years old.
.. Sketch Of Life.
. Watson was born in Columbia
county, Ga. He was educated at
Mercer college, was admitted to the
bar in 1875, and served in the
Georgia legislature in 1898, and
in congress as a populist in 1878.
In 1896 he was vice presidential
nominee on the democratic ticket
with w. ]. Bryan. He was editor
and publisher of Tom Watson's
magazine in 1866. His publica-
lions include: Story of France
/ .(1S9S}; used in the schools OF
France; Life of Thomas Jefferson
! (1s0O); Life of Napoleon Bonaparte
(l902) and Life and Times OF Tho
! mas Jefferson 1903.)
The body of the senator will be
taken to his home at Thomson,
Georgia, today at 5:15 o'clock. The
and two grandchildren.
Family At Bedside.
Members of the senator's family
and a number Of close friends " ERE
at his bedside when the end came.
During the first year and half
| OF his term In the senate Senator
watson gave no indication of any
impairment of the vigor and activity
which had marked his long career
in politics and as a publisher. In
his last speech in the senate deliv-
cred only a week ago last Wednes-
day, the Georgia senator severely
criticized the administration for its
course in connection with the rail
strike.
His previous attacks on the ad-
ministration and most notably his
charges Of Illegal hangings in the
American expeditionary forces, the
subject Of exhaustive Investigation
by a senate committee, had made
him a conspicuous figure in the
senate body during his brief serv-
ice there.
Was Prominent Figure
Atlanta, Ca, September 26.-Sen.
ator Thomas e. Watson of Georgia,
who died suddenly at his residence
In Washington early today. was
one of the most prominent figures
IA Georgia politics and during the
past four years was considered by
observers as welding the strongest
political influence in the state.
"The Sage Of McDuffie, as he
out the state, built up his political
strength through his publications.
When the government stopped his
two papers during the war, he soon
was publishing The Columbia Sen
In his campaign in 1920, Watson
was opposed by Senator Hoke
Smith and Governor Hugh M. Dor
sey. He denounced the Wilson ad:
ministration. During the latter part
of his campaign he was arrested
at Buford. Later the charge was
In 1914 Watson was indicted in
the federal court at Augusta on the
charge of sending obscene matter
through the mails. He appeared as
chief counsel in his defense and
charged that the indictment was
the result of his attack on Catho-
licism. There were many stormy
courtroom scenes during the trial,
which resulted in his acquittal.
Had Stormy Career
Senator Watson's career was
one of stormy political battles, dat
ing back to 1890, when he was
elected to the Sind congress. He
ran for re- election on the populist
ticket but was defeated. In 1896,
he was nominated for the vice presi-
dency of the United States by the
ST. Louis populist convention and
in 1904 was nominated for the presi-
dency by the peoples party.
Started His Publication.
IL was during this period that he
started his publications, which de-
yeIoped until they received national
RECOGNITION. His first paper was
devoted to the PRONUNCIATION of the
populist party's views, and in 1905
he established the famous Tom
Watson magazine in which he at
tackled the Roman Catholic church
for a number of years. This publ
cation first was issued in New York.
The Jeffersonian magazine and
The Weekly effersonian followed
as his next publications. During
fhe war these two paDerS were or
dered suspended by the United
States government owing to Wat
sons opposition to the draft law
and vigorous attacks on other war
1 policies Of the government.