Joseph Bates - Death Announcement

Joseph Bates is an anomaly when it comes to gravesites of the 7th U.S. Cavalry in that he has three headstones in two different cemeteries. I am working on a detailed post which will outline the mystery of Trooper Bates and his final resting place(s). 

This update to the Joseph Bates page will add a death announcement which appeared in the Sully County Watchman on September 29, 1893. The Sully County Watchman was published in Onida, South Dakota, which is in the central portion of the state, roughly 30 miles northeast of the capital city of Pierre.

It was reported that Bates died after ingesting the chemical Paris Green. Wikipedia describes Paris Green as "a highly toxic emerald-green crystalline powder that has been used as a rodenticide and insecticide, and also as a pigment, despite its toxicity. It is also used as a blue colorant for fireworks. The color of Paris green is said to range from a pale blue green when very finely ground, to a deeper green when coarsely ground.

Paris Green

Whether it was suicide or an accident is up for debate. 

The post surgeon at Fort Rice on February 19, 1878, noted that: “I certify I have carefully examined the said Private Joseph Bates...and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier...he is useless as a soldier and unfit for that profession..." (Pension File 1017491, Records Group 15, National Archives.)

JOSEPH BATES PAGE

• Paris Green can image is courtesy of: WorthPoint.com
• The post surgeon comments can be found in the Bates bio in Men With Custer: Biographies of the 7th Cavalry, edited by Ron Nichols.