shelton returned in batang in late 1921. his wife accompanied him to china, but did not continue on to batang. their two children remained in the u.s. for school. shelton's objective was to establish missions deeper into tibet, ultimately to travel to lhasa, but initially to markam gartok (called "gatuo town" today). on february 16, 1922, en route to markam, he was ambushed by brigands a few miles outside batang. he died of a gunshot wound the next day and was buried in batang.