Beckham County, OK - Obits: Wheeler Bates, 1922
18 Aug 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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BATES, WHEELER
(24 Nov 1922, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
WHEELER BATES DEAD AT EL PASO, TEXAS.
Officers Lock Bates up on Narcotic Charge and He Takes Own Life by Hanging.
Considerable surprise was felt among Elk Citizens last Monday when Bascom
Bates received a wire from the chief of police at El Paso, announcing the
death of his son, Wheeler, who had been arrested on a narcotic charge, and
had hanged himself with two handkerchiefs in less than two hours after his
confinement in a cell.
Wheeler Bates is an old resident of Elk City and well known.  He left Elk
City last Tuesday en route for California, after paying up all his little
accounts about town and bidding good bye to many.  It seems Mr. Bates must
have prolonged his stop in El Paso, where he was likely drugged and
robbed.  He had wired his father last Saturday for $50, which was sent him
by wire.
When he was arrested he had nearly $40 on his person.  The authorities at
El Paso were instructed as to the disposal of his body and he was embalmed
and shipped to Elk City, arriving here Thursday morning. Funeral services
were held at the Christian church yesterday at one o'clock, Revs. Lemmex
and Sebe Thomas in charge.  Robinson and Son took charge of the body.  He
was buried by his mother's side at Fairlawn, who also died last spring.
Bascom Bates and Wheeler had been living in their little home on West
Second St., since Mrs. Bates' death.  Mr. Bates is our present county
commissioner.  The death of Wheeler is a hard blow to him, for Wheeler has
been his only son to stick at home with him for years.  Mr. Bates has
another son in California and a stepdaughter in Eastern Oklahoma.
Wheeler Bates was a man of many peculiarities.  He was well read and had a
good education.  He worked with his father at the carpenter trade for
years.  He was born at White Rock, Texas, January 1, 1878, being 44 years
of age, had never been married.