The person at the center of this case
John William Gates
Missing Person · Open
110 years waiting · since 1916
Missing Person: John William Gates
Justice for John William Gates — the trail went cold in 1916, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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clue
Lead #1Was Gates involved in a wagon accident on a mountain road while hauling supplies to a mining company, as family stories suggest?
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suspect
Lead #2Do family rumors of murder have any factual basis, and were there any known conflicts or debts?
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vehicle
Lead #3What happened to Gates' wagon and supplies that he was transporting for the mining company?
John William Gates, a 33-year-old husband and father, disappeared on April 23, 1916, from Longmont, Colorado, leaving behind a family with no explanation or subsequent contact. His wife reported him as a previously devoted provider and kind father, making his sudden departure uncharacteristic and alarming. Family theories range from a fatal wagon accident on a mountain road while hauling mining supplies to foul play, but over a century later, his fate remains unknown.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
⏰
timeline
Lead #4Why did Gates leave suddenly on April 23, 1916, when he was reportedly a good provider and family man with no known motive?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP24464. Missing person: John William Gates.
Last known contact: 1916-04-23 in Longmont, Boulder, CO. Circumstances: According to the "Investigator's Report for Mother's Compensation of the Boulder County Court," in May 1917: "John W.
Gates, husband of Applicant and father of children. He left home April 23, 1916 for no reason known to Applicant who does not know of his whereabouts now and has had no word from him since leaving, previous to leaving he was a good provider, and good husband, and kind father.
Applicant fears he met with an accident." Family stories include the theory that his wagon ran off a mountain road while hauling supplies to a mining company. The rumors also include a story that he was murdered.
Demographics: 33 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 9 in, 160 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Unknown.
Investigating agency: Longmont Department of Public Safety | 14-3410 | 2014-04-30.
Timeline of Events
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1916-04-23
John William Gates disappears
Left home on April 23, 1916 for no reason known to his wife, with no contact made since departure.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:April 23, 1916
Last Updated:June 20, 2026
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Phone: 3036518555
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Case Information
Incident:April 23, 1916
Last Updated:June 20, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 3036518555
You can remain anonymous