Volume 12 , Issue 20

David Cannon Oates

David C. Oates came to Woods County with the first settlers, then only a young man, he passed through the struggles of the early days side by side with men who were believers in Alva. He served our country as Sheriff when it was a large county comprising Woods, Alfalfa and Major counties. David Cannon Oates was Under-sheriff - 1895-1898; Woods County Sheriff - 1900-1904; Deputy Warden - 1909-1914.

Oates was a man whose courage was never questioned. He was a fearless officer -- firm and determined at all times in the discharge of duties imposed -- Beneath it all he was Big-hearted, Kind and Likeable.

According to the Woods County history book - Pioneer Footprints Across Woods County - D. C. "Pat" Oates (David Cannon Oates) was born August 19, 1870, Margerum, Alabama.

D. C. Oates was called "Pat" from the time he was a small child because of his good nature.

"Pat" Oates became known to the people of the southwest as a brave, efficient peace officer. He devoted a good deal of his terms as sheriff to the running down and capture of horse thieves.

Oates came to Cherokee Strip in 1891 and to Woods County at the opening of the Strip. He acquired a claim in the southeast part of the county. He had a store at Walthall or Roscoe ( Major County now, but at that time it was in Woods County)

In 1895, Mr. Oates was a single man of about 26 years of age when he was seriously shot in one fight at Roscoe and later killed three horse thieves in a single-handed battle.

As recorded in The Beaver Herald, Thursday, September 19, 1895, pg. 1, column 5... "Another holdup by robbers and shooting of merchant farmer took place on sunday night about sixty-five miles southeast of here (Roscoe) on Indian Creek, near Walthall, which is about 15 miles west of Enid. The only news received here was a dispatch from the latter point, dated yesterday stating that David Oates was held up by robbers and badly shot. Mr. Oates came to this county from Luka, Mississippi at the opening of the Strip and a few months afterwards took a claim. The probable scene of the outlawry, as he had established a country store on his claim. Mr. Oates was one of the men who aided in the pursuit of Wyatt just previous to Wyatt's capture and this leads some of his assailants was revenge and carried out by some of Wyatt's friends. The most probable inference is that the deed was done for the purpose of robbery."

Oates was a Deputy Sheriff under H. Clay McGrath, the first elected Sheriff of Woods County, from 1895 until the beginning of the Spanish-American War - when he enlisted in the First Oklahoma Regiment. At the close of the war he returned to Alva. Oates was elected Sheriff in 1900 and served two terms (1900-1904).

David Oates married Beulah C. Snoddy, youngest daughter of Col. and Mrs. W. W. S. Snoddy. Col. Snoddy was recognized as one of the most widely known, ablest lawyers in the State.

At the convening of the 2nd Legislature, Oates was also Assistant Sergeant at Arms of the Constitutional Convention. In 1909 when Warden Dick was appointed warden at McAlester Penitentiary, Oates became 1st Deputy Warden of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

On January 19, 1914, he was killed in line of duty during the first prison riot in Oklahoma. Oates was 44 years of age at the time of his death. His body was shipped to Alva for burial in the Alva Cemetery -- In Block 09-Lot 011-Plot 08 (09-011-08) -- date of death as January 19, 1914.

It was reported that four good men and three escaping convicts were killed within 30 minutes. Oates left behind his wife, Beulah, and two children, Marjorie and William S. If you Click National Law Enforcement Officers -- Do a search for Fallen Officers -- Search for Oates in Oklahoma -- You will find the following information: D C OATES, Deputy Warden; Oklahoma Department of Corrections; Oklahoma City, OK; Date of Death: 01/19/1914; Panel 22, East-10

Oates sister and brother-in-law, James W. Coman, also came to Alva at the opening. Mr. Coman was a clerk and later Receiver in the U.S. Land Office, but returned to their home in Mississippi about 1902. Oates had another sister, but not sure of that name as of this writing. David C. Oates also had a brother, Ben Oates of Avant, Oklahoma.
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