Yuma-Pinal County AZ Archives Biographies.....Gates, Thomas unknown - brfore 1896
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 8, 2005, 10:55 am

Author: McFarland & Poole

p. 609-611

  THOMAS GATES. The following, copied from "Reminiscences of Arizona'' and
edited by A. F. Banta, speaks of the true character of Thomas Gates:
  "Thomas Gates, the late superintendent of the Territorial prison, committed
suicide by shooting himself through the head in Yuma, Arizona. Many people are
prone to thoughtlessly remark, 'No one but a coward kills himself.' Here is a
case in point which proves the contrary to be true, that cowards do not, and
that it is only brave men that take their own lives. We first met Tom Gates
thirty years ago, in what is now called (old) Albuquerque. And when we say that
Tom Gates was not a coward we speak from personal experience, for Gates was as
brave as they make 'em. Tom Gates first came to Arizona, from Los Angeles, Cal.,
in the year 1866. He and Billy Brannen left Los Angeles for Tucson, via Arizona
City, and the other towns en route. These two men—Gates and Brannen—made a pair
hard to beat, for both were desperate to a fault. Both were poker players, and
their trip and partnership was a sporting one, lasting until after reaching
Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the fall of 1866. They did a good business at Tucson,
as also at Las Cruces, and perhaps some of the oldtime sports of 'ye ancient and
honorable Pueblo' may recall their losings if not the circumstances. The summer
of 1866 Thomas Gates and Billy Brannen reached (old) Albuquerque. One night a
big 'officers' baile' was at full blast at 'Our House,' a dance house run by
Miller. These bailes were 'free and easy' affairs, but when patronized by
officers and civilians exclusively they were considered just a little bit
'tony.' The music started up, so did Gates with a fair (?) partner for a Spanish
quadrille. As was the custom, Tom and his partner took position, but being near
the seats which ran around the room, she sat down while Tom stood talking to her
with his back to the room. The 'floor-guy' called time and Tom stood up to find
his place occupied by a strapping big fellow wearing shoulder straps, and
feeling as big, perhaps, as a brigadier-general. Tom politely told the officer
that the place was occupied by himself and partner. The officer turned upon his
heel and seeing a little fellow looking up at him deliberately turned his back
on Tom and continued his conversation with his senorita. The room was full of
officers and citizens (no private soldier being allowed in there while their
superiors were occupying the place. The snub by the officer roused Gates, and
catching the gentleman by the collar Gates jerked him around, at the same time
saying: 'You big, brass-mounted _____ _____ _____, I am occupying this place; do
you hear?' This was something awful for a common citizen to use such language to
an officer, and this, too, in the presence of a dozen brother officers; why, it
was simply outrageous and not to be put up with. Every officer left the room.
The ball went on as though nothing had occurred, and the next day there was some
talk of a duel, but upon 'investigation' they found a Tartar had been stirred
up, and they quietly 'pulled their freight' for Wingate and other military
posts. Leaving Albuquerque our two friends went up to Santa Fe—the Mecca of
sports; the general rendezvous, at one time or another, of all the 'fighters' of
the Southwest. Here was to be found Greek George, Jack Davis, Pete McAtee, Joe
Stinson, Andy Reeves and a dozen or more of the lesser knights of the
six-shooter and knife. Shortly after reaching Santa Fe Tom Gates had a
misunderstanding with Andy Reeves in the saloon of Peter Knap. Now Andy was a
noted character in those days; a man as ready to fight as to eat, and as to the
manner of settling the dispute, why he would allow you to choose for yourself.
Gates was a stranger to all the Santa Feans, and being a quiet, harmless-looking
little fellow, no one thought him particularly 'hard.' To settle the dispute
Andy resorted to a double-barrel shotgun, while Tom relied upon his two
single-shot pocket Derringer pistols. In those days and among that class of men,
some of them would take desperate chances in order to play off a practical joke
upon a supposed tenderfoot. Now Reeves was one of the 'joking' kind, and whether
he was in earnest or undertook to play a 'joke' on Gates is not known. However,
Tom's nerve was too much for Andy, for Gates faced the shotgun, walked up to
Reeves and putting the muzzle of his cocked Derringer to Andy's head, and
pushing the gun to one side, ordered Reeves to drop it or he would 'blow his d—d
brains out.' Andy Reeves afterward said that Gates was the gamest man he ever
met. At the request of Colonel Ruggles, member of the Council from Pinal, the
writer of this article went to Florence, where I found Tom Gates and wife. He
had married in Los Angeles and came to Arizona late in the fall of 1876 or the
spring of 1877. I next met Tom Gates at Prescott during the session of 1883-84,
and at that time he claimed Tucson as his place of abode. After locating in the
latter place, Gates became affiliated with the local Democracy, and being
naturally shrewd soon became prominent with the Pinal County Democracy. At the
session of 1883-84 Gates was at the head of the legislative lobby, and through
his management the Bullion tax law was repealed. After we parted in 1877 Tom
seemed to have changed his ways a good deal, for in 1883 and '84 I found him to
be quite a different person indeed. Governor Zulick selected Tom Gates for
superintendent of the Yuma prison, and of all the appointments made by that
Governor, so far as my memory serves, the Gates appointment was the best. Thomas
Gates was a man of nerve: quick to act, generous to a fault, quick-tempered and
ready to fight at the 'drop of the hat.' It is hardly possible for one to be
braver than Gates, although in our day we have mixed with many of the bravest.
Thomas Gates, like all of us, had his faults, but surely his better qualities
overbalanced the bad; the bad, if any, now lie buried forever, and may the good
ones forever remain. Peace to his ashes."


Additional Comments:
From:

A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona
Published by
McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896



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