JAMES T. WATSON
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page Page 1 - April 23, 1959
Jim Watson, about 70 years old, died late Tuesday afternoon when his pickup went over a steep embankment on Sweetwater Road, and burst into flames.
The tragedy happened about a quarter of a mile above the David Dell ranch on Sweetwater Creek, around 6:30, April 21.
Loren Martin, Sweetwater rancher had driven up the creek road behind Mr. Watson for some distance. He told Patrolman Jim Seabry that he noticed a cloud of dust at one of the sharp curves on the Sweetwater Road, but when he reached that point, the dust had disappeared and there was no sign of Mr. Watson's truck ahead on teh road. Martin stopped and looked over the bank to see the pickup in flames at the bottom of the 50-foot drop.
He went back to the Dell ranch, and with Dell and Stanley Clausen returned to the pickup, going from the ranch up the creek bed.
Seabry said Mr. Watson made the first bad curve, but failed to make a second in the same section of the road. There were no skid marks to indicate the pickup brakes were applied.
The funeral has tentatively been set for Saturday afternoon, April 25, at the American Legion Hall in Gypsum at 2 o'clock. The Reverend Daniel Clark will be in charge of the service and full military rite will be held at the graveside in Gypsum cemetery. Mr. Watson was a veteran of World War I. Funeral arrangements are in charge of Bowman Mortuary of Eagle.
Mr. Watson, a bachelor, had lived in the Sweetwater community for many years. A nephew, Henry Allen of Byers came for the funeral. Two sisters and two brothers also survive.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 1 - April 22, 1959
