FRANCIS P. GATES                               GRAVESTONE PHOTO                      

 

The Ottawa Republican, Thursday, Dec. 30, 1886

Died:  Dec. 23, 1886

 

Silent in Death.

 

DIED---Frank P. Gates, at his residence, corner Second and Locust streets, Ottawa, Kansas, Dec. 23, 1886, of cerebral hyperemia which terminated in paralysis. Aged 52 years.

  Deceased was major of the Third Ohio Cavalry, and served with distinction from the opening to the close of the war.   In 1866, removed from Mansfield, Ohio, to Harlam, a small settlement across the Missouri river, opposite Kansas City, where he engaged in the hotel and livery business.  While there, a Missouri bushwhacker entered his place and deliberately commenced empting his revolver at the Major.  That he was not killed at the first fire seems a miracle as the desperado had the reputation of being one of the best shots in Missouri.  But with that remarkable coolness and nerve, which was characteristic of the major, he reached for his revolver and returned the fire, driving the man out of the house and down the street, the dual ending in the death of the bushwhacker.  The major’s well-known war record and Union sentiments made it uncomfortable for him in Missouri in those days, and he removed to Franklin county in 1869.

  He married after arriving in Ottawa, and leaves a wife (nee Jennie Bain) three sons and one daughter, to mourn his death.  The major has always prominently identified himself with the best interest of the city an Franklin county.  The people elected him councilman three different terms, which office he filled with acceptance and honor until the day of his death.  In his demise, Ottawa loses on of its best citizens, the council one of its most valuable and hard working members, and every good work an earnest supporter.  He has a host of friends who will greatly miss him, and who join in expressing their sorrow and sympathy with the bereaved wife and family.   The editor of the REPUBLICAN has long been a warm personal friend of Major Gates and he joins in extending sympathy to the mourning survivors.