Watkins, W. S.

or W. S. Wadkins - Picher Oklahoma, June 26.--The dead body of W. S. Watkins, 50 year old pump tender at the city waterworks, was found in the engine room at the plant at 11:30 this morning. Death is believed to have resulted when the man became entangled in the huge belt on an engine. Marks on the dead body bore mute testimony of the struggle the pump man had when he became entangled in the machinery. The body was taken to the morgue of the Todd undertaking company, Picher. Mr. Watkins had been employed at the city water plant about two years, and before that was the Picher carrier for a Joplin News, Joplin Missouripaper. He had resided here about seven years, living alone in a small house in north Picher. He is survived by one son and one daughter, both living in Joplin. Mr. Watkins body was found by a newspaper subscription collector, lying on the floor near the engine. The water plant is located on Frances Street, between First and Second Streets, Picher. The pump man was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, and of the Anti-Horse Thief association.

Funeral services for W. S. Watkins, 56 years old, who was killed while working in the city water works engine room Tuesday forenoon will be held from the residence of his son, A. B. Watkins, 324 south Mineral avenue, Joplin, at 2:30 Thursday afternoon under direction of the Knights of Pythias and I. O. O. F. Lodges of Picher. Wadkins was a member of the K. of P., M. W. A., I. O. O. F., Rebekah, Pythian Sisters, and Ben Hur lodges. City officials will attend the funeral in a body. Burial will be in Forrest Park cemetery, Joplin Missouri. He is survived by one son and one daughter.