Arizona weekly citizen., 1896-04-04
"REMINISCENCES.
Personal Experiences and Recolec..
lions of Arizona, During the Past
Thirty-Three Years.
[By A. F. Banta, AS the August

Thirty-Three Years.
(ByA. F. Banta, AS the August
THOMAS GATES.
The late superintendent of the Terri
ritorlal prison committed suicide by
shooting himself through the head, in
Yuma, on the 18th instant. Many peo-
pie are prone to thoughtlessly remark
mo one but coward kills himself"
Here is case in point which proves the
contrary to be true. that towards 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 VIXEN we
say that Tom Gates was not q 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, the
territorial press to the contrary notwith.
standing. He and Billy Brannen left
Los Angeles together in '66, for Tucson,
via Arizona City and the other towns ED
route. These two men-Gates and Bran
men made pair hard to beat, for both
were desperate to fault. Billy Bran.
men was consumptive, weighing but ITO
pounds, but withal one of the most dan
gerous men to be met with on the from
tier. When boy only IL years old, at
Lesvenworth, Kan, he deliberately and
for pure cussedness, fred into crowd
of men at night, killing one and seriously
woundIng another. Both Brannen and
Gates were poker players, and their trip
and partnership was a sporting one, last
ing M til after reaching Santa Fe, N. NJ,
in the fall of '66. These did good bust
ness at Tucson, as also at Las Cruces,
and perhaps some of the old time sports
of ''ye ancient and honorable Pueblo"
may recall their loosings if not the cir
cumstances.
The summer of 1866, Thos. Gates and
Billy Brsnnen reached (old) Albuquer-
que; and at that time "Oid Hutch" kept
the stsge-station and the only restaurant
10 the town. However rumors of their
"phepomensP' success followed them to
Albuquerque, but they did not do SO
very we'll at that place. Tie only reason
why Brannen did not "make a killing"
at Albuquerque, was because no one
could be found with sufficient ''sand" to
serve the warrant. "Jew" Smith Eel
Abogado.) coupseled Billy to submit, be
would not though. but declared be
would kill "the first black and tan thief"
attempting to serve any papers on him
Suffice to say that no arrests we're made,
consequently, no killings.
One night big Officers bale" was in
full blast at "Our House," dance-house
run by Miller. These bales were Stree
and easy" affairs. bat when patronized by
officers and civilians exclusively, were
considered just bit 'tony." This par
ticular night, Albuquerque was full of
soldiers, and to "gsther sheekels" as
opportunity offered. Old Miller gave an
Officers bale" The music up, 80 did
Tom Gates With fair (?) partner for q
Spanish quadrilla. As was the custom,
Tom and his "lady" took their position.
but being near the seat which ran all
around the room, sat down. The floor
guy" called time and Tom stood up to |
find his place occupied by strapping |
big fellow wearing shoulder straps,
and feeling perhaps as big as
a bragadier-general. Tom politely |
toldthe officer he was there first. and
the place was occupied by himself and
partner. The officer turned upon his
heel and seeing little fellow looking
up at him, deliberately turned his back
on Tom and contiAned his conversation
with his senorlta. The room was full of
officers and citizens, DO private soldiers
being allowed in there while their Gu
periors were occupying the place. The
snub by the officer riled Gates, and
the epeuletted gentleman by
the collar, he jerked him around, at the
same time saying: "You big brass mount
ed s-of-b-h, l am occupying this
place, do you heart" This was some
thing awful for q common citizen to use
such language to to an officer, and this
too 10 the presence OF a dozen brother
officers; why i5 was simply outrageous
and not to be put up with. Had
bomb exploded in the center of the
room, it would not have'oreated more
surprise; in fact they were simply para
liZed, but after catching their breath,
avery mothers con of 'em left the room.
The bale went on as though nothing had
and the next day there was
some talk of of duel, but upon "inves-
tigation." they found a Tartar had been
stirred up, and acting upon the theory
that discretion was the better part OF
valor." quietly ''puiled their freight" for
and other military posts.
Leaving Albuquerque, our two friends
went up to Santa Fe-the city of the
holy faith; The Mecca of sports; the gen.
sral rendezvous, at one time or another,
Of all the Fighters" of the southwest.
Here WAS t. be found Greek George,
Jack Davis, Pete McAtee, Joe Stinson,
Andy Reeves and dozen or more OF the
lesser knights OF the slx-shooter and
knife. Shortly after reaching Santa Fe,
Tom Gates had misunderstanding with
Andy Reeves, in the saloon of Peter
KNAPP. Now Andy was noted charact-
Or in those days; man as ready to fight
as to eat, and as to the manner OF set
Ting the dispute, why he would allow
you to choose for yourself. Gates was q
stranger to all the Santa Feans, and be-
ing quiet, harmless looking little fell
ow, no one thought him particularly
hard" To settle the dispute, Andy
to q dou ble-bar shotgun,
while Tom relied upon his two single
shot pocket Dsrringer pistols. In those