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Oscar Merritt Wheelock

Male 1877 - 1911  (33 years)  Submit Photo / DocumentSubmit Photo / Document


Personal Information    |    Media    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Oscar Merritt Wheelock 
    Nickname "The Boston Absconder" "The Dynamite Devil" 
    Born 10 Jun 1877  Danvers, Essex, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Oscar Merritt Wheelock  Birth.
    Oscar Merritt Wheelock Birth.
    Oscar Merritt Wheelock Birth. Births registered in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, 1877.
    Gender Male 
    Census 1880 
    1880 Wheelock 7.
    1880 Wheelock 7.
    1880 US census, Nickerson, Reno, Kansas, enumeration district 286, Family Number 69, Wheelock.
    Military Service While on the run from arrest warrants in the United States he served as an officer in the Mexican Revolution. On 15 November 1951 he was posthumously awarded the Mexican Legion of Honor medal. The U.S. Government denied his mother's request for military honors at his burial due to his criminal activity.  
    mexican legion of honor medal.
    mexican legion of honor medal.
    mexican legion of honor medal.
    Occupation Rogue. 
    Rogue.
    Rogue.
    Oscar Merritt Wheelock, a wanted man. El Paso Herald, El Paso Texas, April 26, 1911, first page.
    Rogue 2.
    Rogue 2.
    After a amassing a long criminal record and becoming the target of a nation-wide man-hunt he wrote a will leaving everything to his wife and fled to Mexico.

    As a spectator of the Mexican Revolution he was apparently fearless of the bullets flying around him. Because of this he was offered and accepted a commission in the army. He assembled a band of American outlaw mercenaries and equipped them at his own expense, however they quickly abandoned him as they did not share his apparent death wish.

    He became the man of choice when Mexican General Madero wanted something blown up. He destroyed hundreds of miles of railroad, telephone and telegraph lines, crippling transportation and communications. This earned him the nickname "The Dynamite Devil".

    There are many, many newspaper articles about his exploits and bravery. At the start of the battle of Bauche his frightened, out-numbered troops were on the verge of deserting. He exposed himself on top of a hill, targeted and shot one of the advancing federal officers. He was immediately killed by the return fire but, he inspired his troops who fought and held the line until Pancho Villa arrived with reinforcements. The battle was a turning point that lead to the fall of the Mexican government.

    At the end of the war his body was exhumed from it's hasty Mexican grave and marched through the streets with full military honors with the people celebrating him as a hero. His body was returned to his mother in Massachusetts. Military honors were requested but refused due to his criminal record.
    Rebel Devil Is Brother of Local Doctor.
    Rebel Devil Is Brother of Local Doctor.
    The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Republican, Saturday, April 22, 1911 page 1.
    Died 15 Apr 1911  Juarez, Mexico Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Oscar Wheelock Death.
    Oscar Wheelock Death.
    Oscar Wheelock Death. El Paso Herald, El Paso, Texas, Friday, June 2, 1911, page 5
    Buried Danvers, Essex, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Siblings
    1. Frank Robbins Wheelock,   b. 9 Feb 1879, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location
     
    Headstones Submit Headstone Photo Submit Headstone Photo 
    Person ID I9784  Nagel
    Last Modified 6 Nov 2015 

    Father Joseph Robbins Wheelock, Jr,   b. 20 Sep 1854, Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Aug 1924, Danvers, Essex, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Juliette C Dearing,   b. Feb 1857,   d. 1943  (Age ~ 85 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Married 29 Apr 1876  Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F3241  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Frances Gertrude Gately,   d. 26 Jul 1909, Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married 1 Jun 1904  Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Oscar M Wheelock Marriage.
    Oscar M Wheelock Marriage.
    Oscar M Wheelock Marriage. Marriages registered in the city of Somerville, Massachetussets, 1904.
    Oscar M Wheelock Marriage 2.
    Oscar M Wheelock Marriage 2.
    Oscar M Wheelock Marriage 2. Marriages registered in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, 1904.
    Family ID F3242  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Winifred Omalley 
    Family ID F3243  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart