Volume 10 , Issue 40

Sheriff D. C. Oates

"Linda, I saw where a descendent of D. C. "Pat" Oates was looking for information about him. I'm currently a board member of the Cherokee Strip Museum in Alva, and have recently put together a collection of over 300 photos on a CD that is currently being offered for sale at the museum. I'm attaching three photos of D.C. Oates for that person.

The first photo shows Oates as a comparatively young man.

The next shows Oates and his deputies (Woods County included all of present-day Alfalfa and Major counties, so many deputies were necessary in horse and buggy days), and the third photo shows Oates at work in his office. This office may have been in a residential-looking house just east of the court house on the court house lawn that I have seen in one early Alva picture.

The 1904 Tenth Anniversary Souvenir Edition of the Alva Pioneer states: "D.C. OATES - Sheriff. Native of Alabama: came to Alva, Sept. 18, 1893; secured a farm in southeast part of county (NOTE: This would now be Major Co., OK); was deputy sheriff 1895 to July 16, 1898; when he enlisted in the first Oklahoma regiment, tried for 9 months to get to the front in the war with Spain; elected sheriff in 1900 by 106 majority, and re-elected in 1902 by 1175 majority, which is ample evidence of his excellent official ability and general popularity."

Other items I have read about Pat Oates stated that he served as a Sergeant-at-arms at the Statehood convention and was later made an assistant warden at the State Penitentiary at McAlester. He lost his life there during a prison break.

For anyone interested, the CD collection can be purchased at the museum or by mail. It's cost is a ridiculously-low $10.00 (just over 3 cents per picture), but we would have to charge an additional $5.00 fee for postage and handling if by mail. STILL a HUGE bargain! Mail a postal money order with your name and address enclosed to:
Cherokee Strip Museum Association, 901 Fourth St. (that's the old general hospital for you Alva folks in the know out there), Alva, OK 73717.

I would caution that this is a CD and not a DVD. Do not expect to be able to run it on your DVD player! We have a DVD in the works, but it will be a while before it's ready. The CD would be mailed by regular mail. Enclose an appropriate amount for any preferential mail service you prefer. Also enclose extra funds if you want the item insured. Thanks!" -- Jim Barker
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