Home > United States of America > Nebraska > Nuckolls County > Nelson > Nelson Cemetery > William Bruce Cate

William Bruce Cate

Birth	:	14 Jan 1917 Superior, Nuckolls County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	29 Nov 1930 Nuckolls County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.2056084, -98.0791702
Plot	:	Block 4, Lot 30
Inscription	:	Son
Description	:	Billy and Paul Cate, thirteen and ten years old respectively, former Nelson boys, were drowned in the gravel pit north of the John Waldron place over on the Blue river, Saturday. The two boys, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Cate, now reside in Superior, were spending their Thanksgiving vacation with their maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Kenley who live on the farm about three-quarters of a mile east of the pit. Saturday morning the two boys left the place to go hunting and they were expected to be back for the noon hour meal. When they failed... Read More	Billy and Paul Cate, thirteen and ten years old respectively, former Nelson boys, were drowned in the gravel pit north of the John Waldron place over on the Blue river, Saturday. The two boys, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Cate, now reside in Superior, were spending their Thanksgiving vacation with their maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Kenley who live on the farm about three-quarters of a mile east of the pit. Saturday morning the two boys left the place to go hunting and they were expected to be back for the noon hour meal. When they failed to return the grandparents were not worried, thinking the boys were still hunting. Later they became uneasy and thinking perhaps the boys might possibly have caught a ride home, they telephoned to Superior, only to be apprised that the boys had not returned home. Nothing could be learned of their whereabouts. The fire alarm was sounded here and soon a large searching party was on the way to the Blue. A similar action was taken at Superior, but the night hunt was fruitless. Early Sunday morning a visit was paid to the gravel pit a little south of the river, and just east of the K.N.D. highway. Here evidence of the boys having been there at play was found. A cap and three mittens were found and it was concluded that the boys had been lost in the watery grave. The body of Billy was recovered about nine o'clock and a little later the brother was found a few feet away. The boys were said to have been seen near the pit at about noon on Saturday and it is presumed that they were skating or possibly just crossing the pond on their way home when they broke through the ice and were unable to get out. Their rifles were also found in the pit. The bodies were taken to Superior and the funeral was held Monday afternoon at 2:30 from the Methodist church. The remains were brought to Nelson and laid to rest beside that of their grandmother in the cemetery here. The Eighth grade pupils who were companions of the deceased when they resided here were dismissed to attend the funeral. ---------------- William Bruce Cate, son of W.F. and Alice May Cate of Superior, Nebr., was born in Nelson, Nebr., January 14th, 1917, having reached the age of 13 years, 10 months and 15 days. Paul Kenley Cate, brother of William Bruce, was born in Nelson, Nebr., April 1st, 1920, being 10 years, 7 months and 28 days old at the time of the tragedy. Both of the boys were baptized in the Methodist church at Nelson in the fall of 1923. They were faithful attendants of the Methodist Sunday school. Even though passing on in early life, these boys have left a helpful influence. They will be remembered as of clean character. Their day schooll as well as their Sunday school teachers speak highly of the fine spirit and high aspirations of both Billy and Paul. With profanity and vile speech so prevalent all around, these boys did not swear neither were fould jokes of rude stories heard from their lips. The older of the boys, nearly fourteen, had kept himself free from the tobacco habit, and more than that, had often expressed himself as choosing for his companions boys who did not smoke. It is needless to say that with his brother's example. Paul did not propose to take on the use of tobacco in any form. The boys were trustworthy. Their delay in returning promptly for dinner last Saturday suggested accident or foul play for they were to come back to Grandma's at that time. They kept their promises. Any one who was close enough to these young lives to witness the frank childlike display of affection would affirm the belief that they were dependable and thoughtful in all their relationships. The father's way of describing the boys is to say, "They were two little men." In school Billy was particularly fond of History. He was also an interesting conversationalist and showed a wide range of knowledge for one so young. He could have a good time with Gibbon's "History of Rome" and delighted to talk about it. Paul was a good student and showed considerable talent along the line of music. Those intimate with the boys, characterize their lives about the way Theodore Roosevelt describes a good boy: "Good in the largest sense, should include what is fine straightforward, clean, brave and manly--not a goody-goody boy but just a good, plain boy. Of course, the effect that a thoroughly manly, thoroughtly straight and upright boy can have upon the companions of his own age and upon those who are younger, is incalculable." Besides the sorrowing parents, there survive the sister, Rosettabel, the grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. W.A. Cate of Nelson, and Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Kenley of Edgar, and several aunts, uncles and cousins, to whom this loss by bereavement is almost unbearable. The friends and neighbors of both Nelson and Superior join in extending sympathy in this time of grief. Funeral services were held in Superior Monday afternoon at 2:30 in the Methodist church conducted by Rev. H.G. Langley, assisted by Rev. W.B. Zimmerman of the Nelson Methodist church. Interment was made in the Nelson cemetery. CARD OF THANKS For the tender ministries, the loving sympathy and acts of helpfulness extended to us in our deepest sorrow, we express to all our heartfelt gratitude. Also for the many beautiful floral offerings. Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Cate and Daughter, Dr. and Mrs. W.A. Cate, Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Kenley and Family. The Nelson Gazette, Thursday, December 4, 1930

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Bruce Cate's memorial?
William Bruce Cate's memorial is located at: Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, Nuckolls County, USA.
When did William Bruce Cate death?
William Bruce Cate death on 29 Nov 1930 in Nuckolls County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Bruce Cate's memorial?
Latitude: 40.2056084
Longitude: -98.0791702

Family Members:

Parent

William Foristal Cate

(1897 - 1943)

Alice May Kenley Cate

(1897 - 1984)

Siblings

Paul Kenley Cate

(1920 - 1930)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Nelson Cemetery
Nelson, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2056084, -98.0791702

2. Oxbow Cemetery
Nelson, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2560997, -98.0280991

3. Salem Cemetery
Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1255989, -98.0658035

4. Smith Cemetery
Nelson, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3078003, -98.0567017

5. Nora Cemetery
Nora, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1394005, -97.9705963

6. Union Cemetery
Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3146706, -98.1236877

7. Phil R Landon Gravesite
Angus, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2703200, -97.9553200

8. Beulah Cemetery
Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1324997, -98.1986008

9. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Lawrence, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2921982, -98.2268982

10. Saint Stephens Cemetery
Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2544899, -98.2562485

11. Assumption Church Cemetery
Deweese, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3507000, -98.1324000

12. Hannum Graves
Lawrence, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3456500, -98.1766800

13. Oak Grove Cemetery
Oak, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2326889, -97.8739471

14. Liberty Creek Cemetery
Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3361015, -98.2035980

15. Zion Cemetery
Webster County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2277985, -98.2921982

16. Beaver Creek Cemetery
Webster County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1617012, -98.2882996

17. Evergreen Cemetery
Superior, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0374985, -98.0650024

18. Bostwick Cemetery
Bostwick, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0536118, -98.1801071

19. Evergreen Cemetery
Lawrence, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2922401, -98.2723236

20. Edgar Cemetery
Edgar, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3587200, -97.9700200

21. Spring Creek Cemetery
Ruskin, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1258011, -97.8756027

22. Saint Martin-Loucky Cemetery
Deweese, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3652496, -98.1948624

23. Mount Zion Cemetery
Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1974983, -97.8397522

24. OBanion Cemetery
Blue Hill, Webster County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2850000, -98.3020000