Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-07-27
Charles A. Bates in Reign
Of Terror Along Road
When Woolley Shoots.
REDFORK SCENE
OF FATAL ENDING
Dead Man Prominent In
dian Farmer of Catoosa;
In Asylum Twice.

A tTER terrorizing this section OF
, the county for more than an
hour and threatening the lives of at
least half hundred people by
brandshing hatchet at them.
Charles A. Bates, prosperous In
dian farmer of Catoosa, was shot
and killed by Sheriff James Woolley
at Redfork yesterday afternoon at
4:30 o'clock. Bates became vio-
lently insane while driving his team
home after visiting his uncle, Tom
Thornton, of West Tulsa.
Versions of the tragedy are at
variance, but all are agreed that
Bates was violently insane and had
menaced the lives of pedestrians be-
fore he was killed.
According to Sheriff Woolley he
and two special officers found Bates
at Redfork where he had cut down
fence and unhtched his team in
order to let them drink from a well.
81 told the men to run in behind
the man when ! attracted his atten-
ton, but he shifted about in such
"a manner that we were unable to get
to him and capture him or knock
him down." said the sheriff. He
kept waving his hatchet and scream
ing and finally started for me.
told him to stop or | would kill him
but IL only seemed to madden him
and he yelled If you can kill me
before | do you come on and try it,
He came on at me and his uncle,
| Com Thornton, yelled to kill him.
! When he was within twenty feet of
me l made up my mind that it was
| going to be either him or me and 1
| tired at him"
Citizens of Redfork, who witnessed
the shooting, maintain that Sheriff
Woolley shot the man at time when
he did not appear to be dangerous.
Was Visiting Here.
Bates drove to Tulsa from his
home on Tuesday and visited at the
Thornton home in West Tulsa. Yes
terday Thornton noticed that his
nephew appeared to be demented
and took him to the depot Intending
the train arrived Bates refused to
get aboard and went back to the city
to get his team, which was in a
livery stable.
Accompanied by Thornton. he
started to drive home but no sooner
mad they set out than he began to
run the horses at breakneck speed.
kansas river bridge Thornton Jumped
out Of the wagon, realizing that the
driver had suddenly become u raving
maniac. he declared later
Thornton then called Sheriff Wool
ley. who went after the lunatic in
an automobile.
Threatened Men.
Tho sheriff drove to Redfork with
out tindlng any trace of the man or
his team, and then started back. but
was halted at the Cosden refinery by
employees who rushed out and in
formed him that Bates had lust
turned his team into "A reservoir twen-
" feet deep and swan the horses
across lie threatened the men when
they asked him what he was doing,
according to the sheriff
When the team was in midstream
Bates is said to have emptied a tool
box, grip and bedding which were
in the wagon box.
Reaching the opposite side OF the
reservoir in safety the maniac lashed
the horses and sent them down the
road galloping Meeting a farmer
driving along the road with a load of
hay Bates jumped from his wagon,
aud brandishing his hatchet at the
man. drove him from his lofty seat.
Bates then took possession of the
other officers went by in their auto
mobile, he waved a hatchet at them
and shouted, IT'S war time; it's war
time"
The officers continued on their way
to Redtork and then turned about
with the expectation of slipping up
on the maniac from behind, but they
found that he had driven on into the
town and cut down "a fence in order
to water his team at Il we'll.
1t was at this point that the officers
tried to capture Bates, and failing.
where he was killed.
Fired One shot.
Sheriff Woolley fired but one shot.
which struck him in the pit of the
stomach, killing him instantly. Bates
body was brought back to Tulsa and
taken to an undertaking parlor
Bates was SO years old and twice
had been committed to insane
asylums. 1t was said last night that
he had been confined in the state
asylum at Ninita about two years ago.
hut since returning home had acteo
rational until about three days ago
when he showed symptoms or
dementia.
Two bank books and check book
were found in his pockets. They
showed that ne had deposited Sl,1OO
In the Merchants & Planters bank
yesterday and that he had 800 in
the Farmers & Merchants bank at
Catoosa. The check book contained a
system of stubs and one check for
S65.63, made payable to himself.
Wife Feared Him.
Mrs. Bates, wife of the dead man,
was informed Of the tragedy by re-
porter for The World over the tele-
IL.