Ambleside Herald & Lakes News Issue 99 18 Feb 1882 Page 4 Death of WATSON TYSON Auld WATTY TYSON. We have to announce the somewhat sudden death of the venerable piscator, WATSON TYSON of Hawkshead. Deceased spent many a happy and pleasant day on Esthwaite Lake in the company of gentlemen from a distance who were fascinated with the honest simplicity and rural feeling of our hero. On Monday, the 30th ult the old man was not seen moving about as he used to do; yet no notice was taken of it. Towards evening DR. HODGKINSON called, and finding the middle door closed, shouted out "Watson" and received a feeble reply that he was within. The Dr. thought the old man was groggy, and in bed; consequently he left. Later on in the evening SAMUEL POSTLETHWAITE called to see the old man, and shouted out "Watson" and receiving a somewhat vague reply, went across the street to ISAAC POSTLETHWAITE's and enquired if he had seen "Old Watty" that day. Postlethwaite replied in the negative. They consulted a little and then went to the old man's house (if it can be called that ) and found the middle door shut. On entering they found him lying behind the door with only his drawers on, nearly starved to death and quite speechless. It is supposed that the deceased had got up from his bed in the morning, and gone into the other room to call for assistance and had fallen down as one of his arms was cold and powerless. They had him immediately conveyed to his bed, and applied warm bottles to his feet and legs, and administered draughts of brandy, but all of no avail. He never rallied, but lingered on till Wednesday when he expired. Deceased, who was 82 years of age, had resided in the old hut upwards of 80 years. The old place was over run with rats, and the deceased was obliged to keep a stick lying on the bed in order to keep off the vermin. He had on many occasions seen three or four rats at once run across the bed. Deceased shortly after his death was taken to MRS. RAWLINSON's house and kept there till Sunday afternoon when his remains were interred in Hawkshead churchyard. He was followed to his last resting place by all the people of Hawkshead and its neighbourhood, including many gentlemen. Deceased was a son of old ROBBIN TYSON who in the days of yore was a huntsman to the late for Wm. ???, Esq of Green End, Colthouse, near Hawkshead.