Short Life of John Gates
Little Story of Uncle John Gates
by Nettie Wieser
(Written to my daughter in the 1950’s – D. Murray)
Dear Suzanne,
This is a little story about your Great-Great Uncle, JohnGates, who lived in
The Ranchmen of that day banded together to protectthemselves against attacks of cattle thieves – both Indian and the equallydangerous white “Cattle Rustlers”. If you remember the large picture (charcoalpainting) of Uncle John that hangs in the upstairs hall, you can understand howcowboys of that day dressed, and all the guns and knives they carried.
It was during that period when one day a terrible battletook place between Indian thieves and the Cattlemen of Uncle John’s section.Uncle John was seriously wounded and thrown into a ravine by the Indians whothought he was dead. Hours later he revived and managed to drag himself outonly to face a new danger.
Weak from loss of blood and the heat of a merciless
Later his friends returned, rejoiced to find him alive andtook him home to be nursed back to his usual robust strength again.
Uncle John, despite his rough life, was a gentle nature, andwas deeply sorry he dad to kill in order to save his life. In thanksgiving forthat blessing, he then and there vowed never to kill any creature unless it wasnecessary. That was a promise he faithfully kept all the days of his long life.