The home of Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Watson at Second and Main Streets was the scene every year for many years of an All Day Dinner. According to family lore, on the day that Lavator McDonald died, his wife sent a note to the Watsons, saying “Lab’s dead, but I’m comin’!” And she did! The attendees in 1896 are identified on the back of the photograph as from left to right, (first row) Aunt Mary Daughtery, Mrs. Hal Dyer, E.L. Watson, Martha Huddleston, Aunt Tant Foushee, and Mrs. Guy Smith; (second row) Aunt Jo Brown, Laura Dills, Minnie Lee Jago, Madie Stephens, Elizabeth Watson, Ella Doswell, Aunt Lizzie Robinson, Sallie Stayton, and Aunt Molly Lucas; (third row) Aunt Tom Matthews, a Mrs. Bach, a Mrs. Lester, Lizzie Watson, Fanny Jago, Aunt Liza Guinn, Aunt Violet Robinson, Anna Magoffin, Mag Hudson, Jennie Dillard, Virginia Hobgood, Mrs. M.B. Umstead, Mrs. “Dr.” Smith, Louise Empie, Mrs. John Flynn, Aunt Dink (Mrs. Lab) McDonald, and Mrs. Charles Hite; (doorway) Lou Bell and Mrs. Josie Brandenburg.
From Watson, Tim, and Elizabeth Jacoway. Newport and Jackson County. Arcadia Publishing, 2016