John S. Watson...Served under Quantrill. born around 1847 in Missouri (the funeral home estimated his age at 82). There are 2 different dates as to the time of his enlistment. One states he joined Quantrill in June of 1861, and the other states Feb. 5, 1862. He was living in Jackson County, MO at the time.
Watson rode with Andy Blunt when Blunt was killed on Mar. 10, 1864, south of Oak Grove, Mo. On June 15, 1865, he was honorable discharged by Capt. B. F. Rodgers.
After the war, Watson lived in Paris, TX and later moved to Antlers, OK. Dick Locke gave him some ground and the citizens of Antlers gave him a house.
Watson was awarded the Cross of Military Service on July 29, 1904, but it was not bestowed to him until June 3, 1909. He stated on one application form for the award that he joined Quantrill on June 1861 and was a private. On the second form, he claimed he joined Feb. 5, 1862.
On Sept. 15, 1905, he was approved for a Confederate Pension. He listed his occupation as a carpenter. W. W. Hyden (probably Whitten Hyden) and William Marchbanks swore affidavits that Watson served as a soldier in the Confederate Army. Watson, himself, stated that he was transferred to Quantrill's Company where he stayed until the spring of 1864. He then joined Anderson's Company and stayed with him until Anderson was killed. Watson then stated that he returned to Quantrill and stayed until he went to Lexington, MO, where he was parolled by Capt. Rodgers.
Watson died Aug. 20, 1922, in the Aikin Hospital, and was buried in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery next to his wife. His grave went unmarked for several years, but due to the tireless effort of Mrs. Susan Hejka and her husband, the U.S. Govt. furnished Watson a marker on Jan. 5, 1999.
Sources: Joanne Eakin & Donald Hale, "Branded as Rebels", 453; Info sent me from Susan Hejka from "Information from the Death and Cemetery Records of Lamar County, TX by Ron Brothers (have address) Paris, TX; Paris Morning News, Tues. Aug. 22, 1922; "Records of the UDofC---Lamar Chapter No. 258 1898-1996, Paris, TX Vol. One, 129-130; TX State Archives Confederate Pension Application and affidavits; record of funeral; letter from Susan Hejka Jan. 7, 1999.