Biography

Tom Watson succumbed to a bout of pneumonia which followed enteric fever. After spending some time on the Mt. Morgan goldfield, Queensland, Watson turned his attention to West Australia 12 years before his death. With a fellow countryman, Mr. Joseph Caddy, he was associated in mining pursuits and in business at Tampa, then known as Dingo Creek. After the death of his wife, Ethel Costello, in 1900 (Ethel Maud, nee COSTELLO, died April 1900; Death Registration 414/1900), Mr. Watson returned to England and while there, was appointed to a position in a mining district in West Africa . Six years ago, Mr. Watson returned to Kookynie and entered into possession of the Commercial Hotel, which he ran until his death.

The deceased took an active part in every institution which was for the benefit of the town and district, being a councillor, a member of the school board, president of the Racing Club and vice-president of the Gun Club. He was a liberal supporter of local syndicates for the advancement of the mining industry. Mr. Watson's death was a distinct loss to the community. He was held in high respect and was an exemplary citizen in every sense of the word.

The deceased, who had only just passed his 39th birthday, left a widow and an infant daughter by his second marriage. At the funeral of the late Tom Jackson Watson, the cortege moved from the Commercial Hotel, Kookynie, at 2.30pm. The business places of the town were closed. The funeral was the largest seen in the district. The local Masonic bodies turned out to a man and preceded the hearse. After the hearse, nearly 200 men followed, as well as the children from the school and about 35 vehicles bringing up the rear. Mr S. Fleming read the Masonic service at the grave. Tom Watson left an estate valued at £1105 12s 1d to Adeline Watson.