1911Children
1. Grace Elnor WATTS b: 14 Aug 1892 in Sidney Township, Fremont County, IA
2. Gertrude Eolyn WATTS b: 25 Sep 1905 in Sidney Township, Fremont County, IA

from:
http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin...b_o_link&id=I273

Died: Stith Hurst Watts, age 56 years, the husband of Mary Florence "Flora" (Potter) Watts, and father of surviving Grace Watts and Gertrude Eolyn Watts. Cause: "Homicide by rifle/bullet entered left temple" (Homicide Jury). Body identified by "informant" Grace Watts (eldest daughter). Dr. Ralph Lovelady, coroner (copy of death certificate available).
Sidney Argus, 2 Feb 1927, page 1: "Rifle Ball Ends Life of Long Time Citizen. Wife Finds Dying Man At Early Hour, Says It Was An Accident. Family of Deceased Firm in the Cause of Death was Due to An Unexplained Mishap. Homicide was the verdict of the coroner jury made up of S. T. Nix, B. Pratlen and W. L. VanEaton into the sudden death of S. H. Watts, who was found about 7:30 o'clock last Friday morning in a dying condition inside an outbuilding on the farm five miles north of Sidney. Mr. Watts left the house about 7 to go about morning chores. The family say there was nothing unusual in his behavior. Some time after it was determined that the morning tasks still remained undone and Mrs. Watts, calling and receiving no answer, went in search of her husband. Search of the barn and feed shed failed to disclose any trace of him. Finally she opened the door of a small mill-house, wherein Mr. Watts had installed machinery for grinding feed. There she saw his body lying on the floor, bleeding from a wound in the left temple and a small calibre rifle at his side. The alarm was spread. Mrs. Watts held the dying man in her arms until the arrival of neighbors. He was borne to the house. The doctor arrived about an hour and a half after the shooting. At first it looked like a case of suicide, but the family steadfastly denied to accept this theory. Mr. Watts was not one who might be motivated to take his own life. He was of a cheerful disposition, and seemed to take life's tribulations steady. Though he had lived in the community practically all his life, very few people, even his most devote friends, knew his true self. He had been known as "Doc" for many years and everbody took the title forgranted. Mr. Watts had but recently sold the farm on which her lived to a neighbor, Caleb Kearney, had a payment on same, and was preparing to move to another farm of seventy acres which he owned; in fact, had moved some things. During these recent transactions he was carrying on business as usual, apparently making every arrangement for another crop year. This leads family and friends to doubt the suicide idea.
How his death occurred cannot be determined to a certainty. The daughter, Gertrude, has been sick for some time and had asked her father to kill a rabbit. It may be that Mr. Watts, when he went out to his work, saw a rabbit nearby, and in reaching hastily for the gun he accidently discharged it. The ball entered the left temple and ranged forward to a point a short way behind the right ear.
The following was prepared by Mr. Watts' two daughters: 'With unsteady hands and hearts to lead, we know that it would be necessary for an angel from heaven with pen of gold to come down and fittingly record the life of the one who has so suddenly left us. That God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform, and although it is hard to see what lies before, we will trust in Him and some day we will all know why. Stith Hurst Watts was born on November 5, 1870, near Greenview, Illinois, and was deprived of his mother at the early age of 5. When eleven years old he was taken into the home of W. H. Martin, which did not prove to be a home, but simply a place where he began his life of service for others. At the age of 18 he came to Iowa and began working for Mr. & Mrs. J. M. McClure who took a profound interest in him, giving him real parental care and Christian training. One year later he obeyed the gospel, confessing the Christ and being baptised at the country Church of Christ known as Salem, about three miles northwest of Sidney. His life has always been an open book, and he was ready at all times to serve his Lord and Master, although many times faltering and frail in body. His early education was meagre, but being desirous of the higher things of life he studied for a time in the old college at Shenandoah. He has always been a great reader, especially of the bible, which was his daily textbook. On October 21, 1891, he was united in marriage to Flora Potter and thus was laid the foundation of the home which he always considered beyond compare. To this their two daughters were born--Grace and Gertrude--who have obtained womanhood with the pleasant memories that come from having as a daily example one whose life has been a living bible. They are left to comfort and support the heart-broken wife and mother who is bereft of the one who has been an ever present help by showing untiring love and affection. Mr. Watts was a man of mighty thoughts and few words, never uttering anything that would wound, betray or discourage those about him. For the last fifteen years he and his devoted family have lived on their farm five miles north of Sidney, at which place he was suddenly called to the great beyond on January 28, 1927, at the age of 56 years, 2 months, 23 days. There may be some who wish to think of it as tragedy, but to those who knew and loved him best it could be nothing but accidental, as he was never known to do anything that would bring grief and sorrow to his loved ones. But we know that he has fought a good fight, kept the faith, finished the course, and had won his crown. Besides his immediate family he leaves to mourn his departure one brother, Charley, of Hullet, Wyoming; a half brother, Fred, Omaha; two aged uncles living in California and other relatives. Funeral services were held from the Sidney Church of Christ at 1:30 Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. G. R. Coleson of Council Bluffs, assisted by Elder Charles Aitken of Bartlett, Warren Dutton of Nebraska City and Rev. R. M. Seigel, present local pastor. Music was furnished by Fred and Harold Greenlee of Tabor, with Mrs. Delevan as accompanist. Roy Cannon, Will Doty, Frank McCormick, Elmer Thatcher, Otmer Gude and Harlan Potter bore the body to its last resting place in the Sidney cemetery.'" Clipping available.
Council Bluffs Nonpareil, 28 January 1927, page 2: "Sidney Farmer Commits Suicide. S. H. Watts, 57, fires bullet into his head early Friday morning. No motive is known. Although it is said the deceased had worried over finances. Two grown daughters are school teachers." Special to The Nonpareil: "Sidney, IA., Jan. 28. -- S. H. Watts, 57, a farmer living five miles northwest of here, committed suicide early this morning. Mr. Watts used a rifle of small caliber, shooting himself through the head. He was found in a small building apart from the house and barn. The family and friends are unable to account for the act but it is said Mr. Watts had been worried over financial affairs. He leaves a widow and two grown daughters, Misses Grace and Gertrude Watts. Both are school teachers. The family is well known and the deceased was held in high esteem. This was the third farmer suicide in two days in this section of Iowa."

Father: Allen POTTER b: 5 Aug 1844 in Brighton, Northumberland County, Canada
Mother: Nancy Jane EVINS b: 5 Apr 1848 in Greencastle, Whitman County, Indiana1911

1911Children
1. Grace Elnor WATTS b: 14 Aug 1892 in Sidney Township, Fremont County, IA
2. Gertrude Eolyn WATTS b: 25 Sep 1905 in Sidney Township, Fremont County, IA