Mary Elizabeth Gates

b. 24 June 1913, d. 28 July 1978
  • Mary Elizabeth Gates was born on 24 June 1913 in Texas.
  • She was known as Susie.
  • Ellis Franklin Gates and Frances Ilene Adams appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas, at 409 Ceylon Street. Other members of the household included Mary Elizabeth Gates, W. B. Adams Gates.
  • The following appeared on 19 March 1928 in The Dallas Morning News: (Eagle Pass, March 18) While trying to rescue his sisters, who were sleeping upstairs, W. B. Gates, 15, son of Dr. and Mrs. Ellis Gates, Eagle Pass, was burned to death in a fire which destroyed the home early Sunday.
         Dr. Gates rescued his daughter and baby by climbing down a tree which stood near the house.
  • The following appeared on 21 March 1928 in La Prensa: (Eagle Pass, March 19) On Sunday morning, the 18th, this normally peaceful town awoke to sadness and desolation because of what happened in a terrible event to an honorable family, whose, character and involvement, enjoy a special place of esteem in both neighboring towns.  We refer to the Gates family, composed until  yesterday, of the head of the family, Dr. Ellis F. Gates, his wife Frances Gates, and their three children, W.B., Susie, and little Frances, to which has transpired one of those catastrophes that leaves an indelible imprint on the victims and those that are bound by ties of affection and gratitude. At about three thirty in the morning, while preparing to leave on a hunt, Dr. Gates, his son W.B., seventeen years old and a friend, Larry Harper, without knowing what caused it, yelled that there was a violent fire in the upper part of the house where the children, Susie and Frances slept, accompanied by a maid.  Mrs. Gates had gone on a short trip to San Antonio, Texas.  The servant was awakened and alarmed and the Doctor rushed to the stairs which were burning but he was able to climb, receiving burns to the face, to help his daughters.  He yelled at W.B. to call the Fire Dept.  In great danger and difficulty Dr. Gates succeeded in bringing down all three that were on the second floor by climbing over the roof and down a tree on the other side of the house.  The baby and servant receiving only slight burns.  Meanwhile, the son, believing that his father and sisters were in great danger, sought to climb the stairs that were completely engulfed.  The stairs collapsed in raging flames and buried him.  The doctor searched in vain for his son along with many who had come to help, until someone found him in the rubble of the house that was reduced moments later to ashes.
         Moments after extinguishing the fire the mother arrived on the train from San Antonio and the scene that took place with the family, that moments before were happy, is impossible to describe for how terrible and heartrending it was. 
         All day the grieving family received condolences from many friends, countless from this city and also from Piedras Negras, in the home of E.R. Jones where they are temporarily lodged.  At six in the afternoon a funeral cortege was organized for the unfortunate boy, being one of the most well attended that had ever been seen, leading to the Episcopal Church situated in front of the Plaza de San Juan, received by the Rev. J.S. Moore on the portico.  At the church impressive ceremonies took place after which the cortege proceeded to the cemetery where the funeral rites concluded.
  • Ellis Franklin Gates and Frances Ilene Adams appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas, at 577 Ceylon Street. Other members of the household included Mary Elizabeth Gates.
  • She married Jeremiah Ingels Rhodes, son of Jeremiah Rhodes and Cora Alice Ingels, on 20 November 1936 in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas, at the Church of the Redeemer.
  • The following appeared on 22 November 1936 in the San Antonio Express: (Eagle Pass, Nov. 21) Miss Susie Gates, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ellis F. Gates of Eagle Pass, was married in the Church of the Redeemer here last night to Jeremiah Ingels Rhodes, only son of Dr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Rhodes of San Antonio, by Rev. J. S. Moore. They left soon after for Austin, where Rhodes will resume graduate studies at the university. Dr. Rhodes is a member of the Stae Board of Education.
  • Ellis Franklin Gates and Frances Ilene Adams appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas, at 577 Ceylon. Other members of the household included Mary Elizabeth Gates. In 1935, daughter "Susie" was living in Austin.
  • Mary Elizabeth Gates died on 28 July 1978 at age 65 in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas.
  • Her husband Jeremiah Ingels Rhodes became a widower at her death.
  • She was interred at Eagle Pass (later Maverick County) Cemetery, Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas.
  • Last Edited: 19 May 2014

Family: Jeremiah Ingels Rhodes b. 22 February 1915, d. 16 September 1988