The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-10-03
HUNDREDS TELEGRAMS
AND FLORAL OFFERINGS
LAST DAY OF GEORGIA'S NOT
ED SENATOR SPENT READ
ING HISTORICAL WORKS.

annearrd in Georgia politics, had made
all preparations for leaving the capitaI
for his home at Thomson. ga, the day
he died, Mrs. Watson and their two
Grandchildren had left for Georgia
three weeks before ~
The noted Georgian had been sui
ferer from asthma for the last ~ years:
Tis last illness started in the form OF
an attack OF asthma about ten days
before he died.
Senator Watson's last illness started
IN the form OF an attack OF asthma
about ten days before he died.
Spoke in Senate Friday
The last attack confined him, to bed
for two days, but even then ne was
permitted to get up at intervals
Against the advice OF his physicians
Senator Watson went to the senate
on Friday when the body ADJOURNED
in order that he might say goodbye
TO his associates. His last utterancc on
the floor was at that time when he
arose to explain his absence curing
the vote to override the president
veto Of the bonus bill. lie SAID that
he had been detained by illness, but
that he would have voted to pass the
bonus over President Hardlngs mead
had he been present,
Saturday morning, however he
made another visit to his othce at the
capitol. and is said to have suffered
some from the eXertion. That night
he had another attack OF asthma
which was more severe than any duf-
ing his present illness.
Spent Day Reading.
During Sunday Mr.. Watson spent
most of the day reading, remaining IN
he'd although he expressed the desire !
to get up and go for a ride.
An examination OF the effects in the
room in whcih he died showed that
he spent the last day OF his lie read |
ing historical works, subject very
dear to his heart.
Near the bed where he died were
found such books as Charles the
Twelfth Gan old volume he had few
DAYS before picked up at a second
hand book store; he was fond OF 60
ing to such places often spending
hours there and coming away laden
with forgotten authOrs)
"Nations OF the World and Il he |
English Annual" were two similar
historical volumes he had been read
ing during the day.
About s o'clock Sunday night Sen
ator Watson was seized with a ylo-
lent attack OF his chronic illness. I'm
mediate1v DR.. Grant S. Barnhart the
physician in charge, was summoned.
Although conscious the senator was
suffering intense pain, a strangl1ng Ell
feet caused by his inflamed resplra-
tory organs. It was necessary to give
him strychnine for relief. The com
pound simulated him, and he reviv-
ed sufficiently to dismiss his attend
ants for the night. He felt easier and
wou1d try TO get some sleep. Dr. Barn
hart expressed the belief that he would
be all right by morning.
Second Seizure.
Later in the night he was again
seized by a paroXysm OF coughing
which Immediately brought members
OF the household to his bedside, ms
time two physicians were called II
Thomas X. Conrad being the, second
Senator Watson was found to be
Unconscious He was breathing heavi-
Nv. his heart was bad. Doctors made
every effort to relieve him. But at
near 3 o'clock in the morning he eX-
pred.
Senator Watson's heart, it was stat
ed, continued to beat even after ms
respiratory organs ceased to junction.
This prompted physicians to attempt
to resuscitate him with exercise but
all efforts failed.
Hundreds of Floral Pieces.
During Tuesday Washington florists
received orders for hundreds OF floral
Dieces TO be sent to the Watson home.
Only a few large pieces were ia
ken to the home here, however, the
others being kept in cold storage to
be placed with the casket on the 1un-
eral train.
As further token OF the esteem IN
which the Georgia senator was held
hundreds of kilograms poured in from
ali sections of the country expressing
coincidence at his sudden death
Among the number was letter from
President Harding, who, together with
the first lady OF the land, offered sym
pathv in the unexpected bereavement
of the family. Georgians were partcu-
larlv profuse in their interest, NUM-
hers wanting to come to ashmgton
to escort the bier to the state.
Colleagues Accompany Body.
Funeral arrangements were taken IN
charge by the sergeant at arms OF the
senate. and Vice President Coolidge
and Speaker Gillett designated the
following members OF congress to
form an escort Of the remains to the
senator's Georgia home at Thomson:
Senators New, Indiana; Shortridge,
California; Brandagee. Connecticut;
Dial. South Carolina; Fletcher, Florl-
da: HeAin, Alabama; Shield, Ten
nessee; Harrison, Mississippi; Tram,
mel. Florida: Cameron. Arizona, and
Oddie. of Nevada. Representatives
Sisson, Mississippi; Smithwick, Flor
da: Byrnes, South Carolina. and the
entire Georgia delegation in the lower
house.
Two private cars bearing the dead
statesman and the funeral party lett
Washington Wednesday afternoon.
Mrs. Watson was requested to per
nit the body to be carried by Atlanta
and lie in state at the capitol that
thousands OF his friends and admirers
might look upon his face for the last