New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-08-18
4 FATAL ENCOUNTER.
lence of The N, Y, Tribute.

Correspondence of The NJ Y. Tribune
OsKALOOsA, Iowa, Aug. u, 1851.
Many conflicting reports have made their appear
ance in reference to a recent occurrence III thls
city, which resulted in the death OF Mr. j: w.
Bowen. former proprietor of the Tawawah Saloon,
he having received fatal wound from revolver
in the hands of Jas. M. Brown, editor and proprle
for of The OSEaIoosa Hcraid The particulars of
the case, as developed the trial before the Mayor
were follows:
Mr.. Brown, in The HeraM of July "a, published
the following article:
"L1quoR BuslNEss.-From the drunken men we
have Of late, staggering IN the neighborhood OF
the Tawawah Saloon and the fights of frequent occur
renee in that dire cOn We led to believe that the
proprieors of thst institution have become regardless
of the law, and are dealing out the hery liquid at
wholesale. We should think these facts, being OF
almost daily occurrence would be sufficient evidence
70 call forth prompt action on the part OF the CITY
officials. These drinking establishments are perfect
nuisances and should be dealt with such. Of late
our city has been cleaned of two outside nuisances
two more of different character exist nearer the
square. Let the law crush out and close up these
establishments; then we, as a people, can Dreathe
freely, and needs be, boast OF our noraty as
a city,"
Mr.. Bowen. who, until the 1st of May last was
proprietor of said saloon took great Ofense at this
notice of liquor shop which he had established,
and threatened in the most vile and terrible language
to take Mr. Browns life. On the evening Of the
election, August 3, at II o'clock, Mr.. Brown and
Mr.. Rice were sitting at window Of the latter s
office, which is on the second floor and adjoining the
editorial room Of The Hfraid. They are both young
men and slept in their Offices, and were accustomed
to use the two Offices in common. At this time
Mr. Bowen, with some ten or fifteen other persons,
stopped on the pavement beneath where Brown and
Rice were sitting. Mr.. Bowen commenced cursing
and threatening Mr.. Brown, saying if he did not
come down he would 60 up and bring him down.
Mr.. Brown made no reply to this abuse, which only
exasperated Bowen still further Finally some one
in the crowd called out that " The Hcraid Office
ought to be mObbed." Bowen, followed by some
half dozen others, started for the stairway, saying,
"IrW had a mot to cle0n the damned thing Om"
Mr.. Rice testfes that at this moment he and Brown
withdrew from the window, under the full cOnvic-
ton that the mob was about to put BOwens threats
into execution As Mr. Bowen reached the head OF
the stairs and attempted to break open the door Mr.
Brown drew a revolver and fired the ball striking at
the side of the door. He then said to Bowen, "if
"yOu break down that door you are dead man."
Bowen made another attempt to force an entrance
when Brown fired second shot; the ball, passing
through door panel, struck Bowen i'll the breast
and lodged in the right lung. He made his way
down stairs and died in about fifteen minutes after
reaching the pavement. Mr.. Brown Immediately
gave himself up to the proper officers, and after
preliminary trial, gave bonds for his appearance at
Court to answer for the crime of manslaughter
Almost the entire moral sentiment of this ccInnl-
nitv sustains Mr.. Brown in the course he pursued.
Groeperies and their adherents would be glad to see
him put out of the way, Snd are threatening still to
mob or assassinate him.
There can scarcely be doubt that Mr. Brown
will be ultimately acquitted. As an editor he is
fearless in defending the right, and when drunken
rabble attempt to destroy his property or nure his
person, they will find him no less fearless. Mr.,
Bowens death but the elimination of the dccurScd
traffic in which he had engaged, and his tragcal end
support the infamous trade in liquor.