Published as it appeared on May 23, 1903, in the Corvallis Times, Page 3, Column 4.
IN THE GRAVE.
Death and Burial of an Old-Time Resident — James Watkins.
James Watkins, who has resided for more than thirty years a few miles west of Corvallis died suddenly Wednesday. He started about noon to go from the house to one of the outbuildings, a few yards distant. When half way there, he suddenly fell in a heap on the ground. His wife from the house heard him groan, as did also Albert, a son, hoeing in a garden near at hand. Both hastened to the side of the prostrate man, and lifted him into a sitting posture in a chair for the purpose of carrying him into the house. He was able to talk, and demurred to the plan. He insisted on proceeding to the place where he had started, and was assisted there. Reaching the place he began gradually to lean more heavily on his son. Alarmed at the symptoms, those present carried the old man into the house, after reaching which, the latter spoke but a few words, and within a few minutes, passed away. The end came shortly after noon.
In the early days, the deceased came to California from the vicinity of Des Moines, Iowa, which was his early home. After residing a number of years in the Golden State, Mr. Watkins moved with his family in about the year 1870 to Benton county, where he has since resided, respected and revered by all. He was a member of the old school Baptist church. One daughter, residing in the vicinity of the old home near Des Moines, Iowa, the widow and several sons are the survivors of the immediate family. Among the latter are Albert and Marion of Benton county, James, who is in the railway mail service, and Ezra, who conducts a candy store in Portland. One son is in Klondike, and others are in Eastern Oregon. Of the children only the daughter is married.
Mr. Watkins was aged about 75 or 80 years.
The funeral occurred from Philomath, and the burial was at Newton cemetery at three o’clock yesterday afternoon.
