Much sympathy has been expressed with the family of the late Mr. Thomas Watson, in the bereavement they have suffered in the death of Mr. Watson, which occurred at the Rushden Gasworks Villa at 2.15 a.m. on Monday.  Mr.Watson had been suffering from a cold, and, complications setting in, his life cold not be prolonged, in spite of every skilled care and attention bestowed on him by Dr.Greenfield and his own daughter Nurse Watson.

Born in Edinburgh, the late Mr. Watson, after leaving school, was apprenticed to an architect and surveyor in Edinburgh.  He left that profession and joined the firm of Messrs.R.Laidlaw and Sons, gas engineers, Glasgow.  In 1874 he married Miss Grace Rundle Jago, of Glasgow, and at the age of 22 Mr.Watson secured an appointment in Copiapo, Chile, South America, under an English firm of gas engineers who had financed the concern.  Mr.Watson was in charge at the Copiapo works for five years, after which he came back home.  He was next appointed gas engineer to the Gibraltar Gas Company, and was there for seventeen years.

The Rushden and Higham Gas Company appointed Mr.Watson as engineer and manager in October 1897, and he held that post with great ability up to the time of his death.  During that time the works have been considerably extended and improved, to the benefit of the towns and district.

The Rushden Park-road Wesleyan Church will lose one of its most able and devoted officers in the death of Mr.Watson, who has been associated with the Church ever since he came to Rushden.  For many years he has been one of the trustees.  He also held the offices of Poor Steward, Society Steward and Circuit Chapel Secretary.  At the time the members decided to erect a new church Mr.Watson’s architectural and

General Business Training

were found to be of the utmost value.  The many periodical activities of the Church always found Mr.Watson and his family as keen workers.

Mrs.Watson died eight years ago this week, and is buried at Odell.  There are left to mourn their loss one son and four daughters – Mr.Alfred Watson, works manager of the Wellingborough Gas Company; Mrs.Thompson, wife of the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson, Wesleyan minister, of Ramsgate; Miss C.M.Watson, Nurse G.R.Watson, and Miss Helen Watson.  There are also four grandchildren.

The Funeral

took place yesterday, a private service being held at the residence, followed by a public service in the Park-road Wesleyan Church at noon.  The interment was in the churchyard at Odell.

The mourners were Mrs.T.Edwards Thompson, of Ramsgate, and Miss C.Watson Miss G.R.Watson and Miss H.Watson (daughters), Mr.J.W.Kerr, of Dover (nephew), the Rev.T.A.Cooper, of Crosshill, Ayrshire (cousin), Mr.T.C.Brown, of Paignton, Devon (cousin), Mrs.George Rutherford, of London (cousin).  Mr.C.W.Horrell,C.A., Mr.H.Staniland, Mr.L.Allan, Mr. and Mrs.R.Marriott, Mr.G.W.Battersby, Mr.J.T.Lewis (gas engineer, Wellingborough), Mr.T.Maddocks (gas engineer, Kettering), Mr.G.H.Groome (chairman Rushden and Higham Gas Company), Mr.F.Knight, J.P. (vice-chairman), Mr.G.S.Mason (secretary), Messrs. W.E.Capon, Charles Wooding, and Charles Cross (representing the Wesleyan Church), and between 40 and 50 employees of the gas company.

The Rev.J.Brooks Goodridge opened the service in the Park-road Wesleyan Church, and he was assisted in conducting it by the Rev.H.Graham Payn (Higham Ferrers) and the Rev.R.H.A.Routledge, of Glasgow (former minister at Rushden).

The main body of the church was filled by friends and sympathisers.  The board of directors of the Rushden and Higham Gas Company was represented by Messrs. G.H.Groome (chairman), F.Knight,J.P., W.B.Sanders, and G.S.Mason (secretary).  Other representatives were: Wesleyan Church trustees, Mr.C.Cross,C.C., and Mr.J.W.Bright; Wesleyan Church, Mr.W.E.Capon and Mr.C.S.Wooding (Society Stewards); Kettering Gas Company, Mr.T.E.Maddocks.  There were also present the Rev.J.A.Sutherland (Park-road Baptist pastor), Alderman Thomas Patenall,J.P. (Mayor of Higham Ferrers), Mr.A.G.Larkinson, Mr.W.P.Orrell (Wesleyan lay preachers), Mr.A.E.Bates (Wesleyan choirmaster), Mr. and Mrs.I.Cunnington, Mr. and Mrs.R.Marriott, Mr. and Mrs.L.Perkins, Mrs.C.Cross, Miss Butterworth, Mrs.G.H.Groome, Mrs.C.W.Horrell, Mrs.D.G.Greenfield, Miss I.L.Scott, Mrs.Nix, Mrs.A.E.Bates, Messrs. C.W.Wing, J.T.Lewis (Wellingborough), W.Powell (Wellingborough), Bert Sanders, F.Skeeles, W.McC.Horrell, W.B.Madin, R.Tusting (representing Mr.J.S.Mason), T.Whitby, L.Phillips, O.Claridge, C.Head, S.E.Lawman, C.Espin, G.S.North, E.Linnitt, C.Smith, and others.  The fifty members of the staff and employees of Rushden Gas Company occupied specially reserved seats.  The coffin was bourne into the church by the following employees of the gas company: Messrs. H.Mitchell, H.Darlow, J.Church, J.Pickering, J.Moulton, and H.Cooper.

The hymn “Thy way, not mine, O Lord,” was sung, Mrs.Rose Peck officiating at the organ.  Psalm 90 was read by Mr.Routledge, and Mr.Goodridge read I Cor, xv.(part).  After the hymn “Thou knowest, Lord,” (both hymns having been favourites of the deceased), addresses were delivered by Mr.Payn and Mr.Routledge.

Mr.Payn referred to the fine, characteristically Scotch manner of Mr.Watson, who had been justly proud of his native city of Edinburgh.  He had lived many years abroad and had made many choice friendships, particularly at Gibraltar, a place of which he cherished happy memories.  For family reasons, and through the “pull” of the home country, Mr.Watson returned to his own country and accepted the position which he occupied for 27 years.  He was a man of real worth.  Those who knew him longest never heard him speak ill of any man.  He saw the best in everybody.  In business he was loyal and generous, and he ever looked after the welfare of his employees, the relationship between them had been good.  Who could reckon the loss to that church?  His influence, counsel, and consistent connection from the beginning were well known.  He was eager, sincere, thorough.  Their tender thoughts and deep sympathy were offered to the bereaved family.

Mr.Routledge said he little thought three months ago, when he said “goodbye” to Mr.Watson, that it was to be the last “goodbye.”  To part from Mr.Watson, one of his best friends, was like parting from part of himself.  To him (Mr.Routledge) and his, Mr.Watson and family had shewn the greatest kindness.  They all know Mr.Watson as a perfect gentleman, universally admired, and absolutely generally esteemed.  He was also a real Christian.  There was no sham about him, no mock pietism.

At the close Miss Peck feelingly rendered Mendelssohn’s “O rest in the Lord.”

The Rev.J.J.McNair (rector of Odell) officiated at the interment in Odell Churchyard.

Wreaths were from the children; grandchildren; Tom and Jennie, George and Lillie; Jim and Lizzie; Mr. and Mrs.Shortland; the directors of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers District Gas Company; Mr.G.S.Mason; Mr and Mrs.W.H.Spicer and family; Mr. and Mrs.A.T.Chambers; employees of the Rushden and Higham Gas Company; Leaders and Trustees of the Park-road Wesleyan Church; Mrs.Cowley; Amy, Mrs.Savage, and Mrs.R.Ashford; T.Algynon Baker; Mr. and Mrs.Allen, Betty, and Leslie; Mr. and Mrs.W.E.Capon; Mr. and Mrs.G.E.Benson, the Misses Ryder; Mr. and Mrs.O.Claridge; Mr. and Mrs.L.Groom; Mr. and Miss Roberts; William and Beatrice Horrell; Mr. and Mrs.C.W.Horrell; Mr. and Mrs.H.Staniland and family; Dr. and Mrs.Greenfield; Mr. and Mrs.Phillips, Mr. and Mrs.R.Marriott; F.Betts and family; Mr. and Mrs. And Miss Battersby; Mr. and Mrs.A.M.Arnott; Miss Howe; the Rev. and Mrs.Routledge; Mr. and Mrs.Linnitt, Gran, and Mrs.Parkin.