Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-09-19
YOUNG LIFE SADLY ENDED
c. I. R, Bates Fatally Shoots Himself
Friday Morning.
IN THE ROOM AT THE TIME
Not Known Whether by Acoi-
dent or Design.
HAD BEEN TALKING OF A CUNNING TRl

tnb tLtH iHLNiith VI n htf'Nthd I'M
And Was Examining Some Guus a Short
Time Before His Denth--Was With His
Cousin. and Very Soon After the Latter
Left Him the sad Event Occnrred-Eud of
Promising Young Life.
Charles Theodore Russell Bates, son
of George II. Bates and of the best
known young men in Wilmington, shot
himself through the heart between
and o'clock Friday morning, at the
residence Of his uncle, Ferdinand L. Gill
plin, No. 1904 Broome street. The deed
was committed with a single barrel
shot gun, and the young man was alone
in the room at the time. Young Bates,
who has been reading law in the office
of Attorney Francis Rawle,in Philadel-
phia, was on visit to bis relatives.
He came here on Wednesday and seem
ed to be in the best of spirits. VIII en-
he retired Thursday he was bright,
and after he arose next morning nobody
suspected anything wrong. Some are
of the opinion that the shooting must
have been an accident, butwhether ac-
cidental or purposed will probably
never be known.
Theodore arose shortly after s
O'Clock. He slept alone Thursday in
the room usually occupied by his
cousin, Russell Gilpin, and Friday morn
ing he and Russell Gilpin we're talking
together in the bath room, which adj
joins the room in which young Bates
slept, the principal subject being about
going reed bird shooting. Both had
been examining guns and rifles about
the house. After short conversation
in the bath room, Bates returned to
the room in which he slept and his
cousin finished his bath. When the
latter had dressed he went to the bed
room to see Bates, and was Mortified
to see his lifeless body lying across
the bed and single barrel shot gun
standing up against the bed The
alarm was given and an investigation
showed that the young man had evil
IDENTIFY taken his own life.
Although young Gilpin was in the
adjoining room he heard no report,
neither did any of the other persons
about the house. Breakfast had not been
eaten and the Gilpin family and Theo-
dore's brother Daniel were all in the
house. Not sound was heard by any
of them. Smokeless powder was used,
which accounted for the absence OF
smoke.
Life was evidently EXTINCT when the
body was discovered, but DIR. james
A. Draper was summoned and arrived
in short time. He made an examina,
tion and came to the conclusion that
death must have been instantaneous.
1t was found that the shot had entered
in the region of the heart, and it ma,
have penetrated that organ. The
wound bled very little, no blood being
noticeable, except on the young mans
clothing.
When the unfortunate affair occurred
George H. Bates, Theodores father,
had started to Philadelphia on bust
ness, but he was informed by mes
senger of what had happened, anc
hastened to the Gilpin residence.
Mrs. Bates was in Boston, visiting
relatives, and she was notified by tele
graph.
G. It. r. Bates was the son of Georg,
II. and Elizabeth Bates. He was 3
years Of age the LIST of last May. Afte
attending school in Wilmington b,
went to Phillips Exeter Academy
which he attended from 1886 to 1883
Afterward he went to Harvard, ant
graduated with honors in 1892, will
the degree of A. B. He was thel
registered as a law student with hi
father, and would have been admitted
TO the bar liz a few months. Durinl
| the Worlds Fair he had charge of tn,
Harvard exhibit, and after the fair h,
held a position for few months il
Arizona. After that he came to Viii
mington and read law, recently con
tinuing his studies in the law Office 0
Francis Rawlo in Philadelphia. III
was well educated and was exceedingl,
| popular with all who knew him. II
was particularly well liked by tn
members of the legal profession in thi
city, who looked upon him as having
a bright future.
Deceased was nephew of ex-Gov
Russell of Massachusetts. Although
young man he was an active Democrat
In 1892 he was instrumental in formips
the Cleveland First Voters Club
which was composed of young men VIII
would cast their first vote at the cleo
tion in that year. Afterward he be
came member of the Young Men
Democratic Club. During the cam
paign of 1892 he also went about tn
State speaking in the interest of th
party. He was enthusiastic in every
thing he undertook.
Deputy Coroner Chandler held an in
quest on Friday afternoon. The iur
rendered the following verdict: "Tha
death was caused by gunshot woun,
received from gun in his own hands
while alone, and from the evidence tn
jury is unable to determine whethe
death was the result of accident or un
premeditated impulse, while sufferin
from temporary mental ALTERATION, bu
the jury find that said shooting wa
not the result of premeditated ae
tion. -
The funeral took place on Mon
day afternoon and was very largel
attended. Services were conducted il
st. Andrews Church by Bishop Cole
man, assisted by the Rev. Charles E
Murray. The pall-bearers were job
Bird, Andrew Gray, Marriott Candy
j. Percy Nields, Leonard E. Wales, Jr.
James w. Ponder, Rodney Cause an
Christopher Ward. The remains wer
taken to Cambridge, Mass, and wer
inferred in Mt. Auburn cemetery.
wiimington's Fine Appearance.