GATTES, Rev. W. G., Beeville Bee, 8 Aug 1900:

What was reported as a local sensation last Friday turns out to have been magnified 
into such.  Rev. W. G. Gattes, an old Methodist minister who resides at Clareville, has 
been ill for some time with dropsy and for the past week has evidenced signs of 
gradual dissolution.  

Last Thursday night he appeared to be dying and a couple of young men were 
dispatched to Beeville for a coffin, the object being to have it ready for his speedy 
interment on account of the peculiarity of the malady of which he was possessed.  
The vital spark held on longer than seemed possible and he lingered until yesterday 
morning when he died.  

E. J. Kinkler who is a neighbor, and to whom we are indebted for the information, 
says it is all a mistake about the old gentleman being up when the messengers 
returned with the coffin, that he is unable to move and has been so for weeks.  
At times his pulse sinks so that it is scarcely perceptible, and it was easy for the 
watchers to suppose his end was near.  

The interment took place yesterday evening in the Beeville Cemetery under the 
direction of the Masonic fraternity.