James Franklin Gates and His First Trip With the Big Boys to the Arkansas River

James Franklin Gates, a Memory in Honor of His 83rd Birthday

    Edmund Gates, Sr. and Mamie Irene Tripp Gates lived most of their 54 years of marriage on the Arkansas River on the west side of the Big Bend Community west of Ralston. Their children, especially their sons learned to love the river, primarily by hiking to the riverbank of their 95-acre farm located in Osage County in Oklahoma. Edmund Gates, Sr. taught his children from an early age to respect the river. He helped them learn the river was always more powerful than they were, and they must think any time they were near it or in it. When the boys became responsible enough to be trusted to go to the river unaccompanied by a parent, my grandmother, Mamie said she always began counting heads as soon as she could see them emerging from the river bottom. In my opinion, Grandma preferred the ponds that were later built on their place far more than the Arkansas River, but that’s a story for another day.
   One of the favorite stories of my father connected with the Arkansas River is about his brother, James Franklin Gates who was born on January 28, 1931. My father, Edmund Gates, Jr. turned 12 years old the following June of that year James Franklin was born.

William Herbert and James Franklin Gates- from the
collection of Lou Dixon Gates and Jeannie Spurgeon Gates

   Two years later in the summer of 1933, Dad age 14, and his brothers - Fredrick age 12 , Jess age 10, and Herbert age 5 were headed out on one of the most exciting outings possible on the farm in the summer – a trek to the Arkansas River for wading, swimming, and just on all-out good time. Little Jimmy, as they referred to their baby brother, began begging his mother to go with the big boys. Grandma, who feared the river more than respected it, was adamant that Little Jimmy was far too young to go to the river, but my father intervened for his baby brother, “Mom, let Little Jimmy go. I’ll look after him.” Evidently, Dad, the oldest living son, had shouldered much responsibility at a young age, having by this time four younger brothers, two older sisters, and a younger sister. He must have proven his trustworthiness to his mother over the years because she surprisingly agreed to let Little Jimmy go with the big boys.

   It is important to know my father looked little two-year-old Jimmy in the eye and with an tone exuding seriousness and sincerity, said, “Jimmy, you better do what I say, or you’ll never get to go to the river again with us.” Edmund grabbed his hand, and Jimmy walked with his big brothers to the river bottom.
   Once they arrived at the river, Dad found a safe, little pool for Jimmy to splash and play in the water. My father reiterated again, “Jimmy, stay right here and play. If you move, you’ll never come to the river with us again.” Little Jimmy obeyed perfectly. That was one of many fun-filled trips made by the brothers to the river bottom.

Jim and Edmund, Jr. in their childhood home in 1990

   One of the principals under whom I taught thought my father would have only needed a couple of weeks to shape up some of the students’ behavior. Based on this family story, Dad learned to be an effective disciplinarian early in his life. Uncle Jim learned early what he needed to do to spend time having fun with his brothers.
  I am still astounded that a 14-year-old would be willing to take on the responsibility for a little one as well as successfully get the two-year-old safely home. Even as a teen-ager, he worked seven days a week rarely getting time off to do activities like going to the river, yet was so unselfish and thoughtful of the wishes of his baby brother. How amazing that a little two-year-old was already so well trained that he could comprehend what was being expected of him by his mother and oldest brother and then even more unbelievable that he had the self-control to do it! I'm not sure that they make them like these two anymore!