Kern County Obituaries

Bill Wheelock

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; 11 Aug 1938

Old Bill of the Chinaman's Chance
Mine Succumbs From The Heat
Old Bill Wheelock old time desert prospector who has operated the Chinaman's Chance mine 
near Ludlow for many years is dead, victim of the heat. His partner was Lee Yim, chinese 
proprietor of a small restaurant near the Tonapah railway at Ludlow who grubsteaked him and 
helped finance the mine when the pay ledge was discovered.
Men working in the gold mine have eaten at Yim's Restaurant making his business good while 
the mine proved to be one ot the best producers in San Bernardino county, Ludlow people are 
wondering what will happen to the Chinaman's Chance now.

Source Unknown; 8 Sep 1938

Wheelock's Share In Rich Old Pete
Mine May Be Sold at Auction
If no heirs are found of Wm. Wheelock, miner, who died from heat prostration August 3 at his 
mine near Ludlow his share in the million dollar gold mine the Old Pete will be sold to the highest 
bidder and the money deposited with the state treasurer eventually to revt-nt to the state school fund.
The mine often called the Chinamans Chance, was discovered 10 years ago 6 miles south of 
Ludlow while Old Bill was being grubstaked by Lee Yim Chinese restaurant proprietor.
It is believed a sister of Wheelock is living as he is said to have spoken of her but at last report 
officers had been unable to locate her. Since Wheelock had claimed relationship to Louisa May 
A1cott they were endeavoring to trace some relative thru relatives of the well known writer.