Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-08-10


Saint James Church, Lancaster, on Tues.
day evening last at D o'clock.
1t seems that the Bishop, after spending
three days with DR.. Van Dcuson, during
which ho was frequently congratulated on
his improved healthy appearance, took the
six a. III. train on tho Allegheny Valley
Railroad, en- route for Butler, whore he
had an appointment to administer the rite
of confirmation on the following Sabbath.
At Frccport, "a miles from Pittsburg, he
purposcd taking the stage to Butler.
After proceeding about 10 miles, the
train was halted in consequence of a bridge
which had been injured by a late froshot
and a "land.slidc" nearly two miles be-
yond. Arrangements had been made to
convey the passengers over this part of the
road in a hand,car. a locomotive and pas
scnger car being in readiness on the other
side to convey them on. The female pas
scngcrs were placed on the dear, but
some Of the gentlemen preferred to walk,
among whom was the Bishop, Mr.. Frank
lin Wright, civil engineer, formerly Of
Lancastcr,was at the bridge experimenting
its Reconstruction, and recognizing the
Bishop, although he had not seen him for
nearly ten years previously, urged him to
take passage in the car, but he again cx-
pressed his desire to walk, and according
ly left OH foot.
The passengers arrived at the other
train and took their seats, when some one
remarked that an elderly gentleman whom
he had noticed in the car after leaving
Pittsburg, was not on board: but as DO
one on the train personally knew the Dish-
op, or his destination, the conductor, after
obtaining few minutes beyond his time,
moved on.
The workman in charge of the hand
car returned towards the bridge, and when
about half way he noticed a man lying by
the roadside. lie at first supposed he
had laid down to rest, but second look
satisfying him that the position of the body
was not one in which person would seek
rest, he stopped and discovered that the
person was dead. lie then went on to the
bridge, and reported the facts to Mr..
Wright, with the opinion tha, the dcccas-
cd was clcrgyncn. Mr. Wright at once
concluded it was the Bishop, and taking
some workmen, repaired to the spot, where
the correctness of his surmisc was painful
ly verified. He found him lying on his
face, evidently in the position he had fall
en-, as if seized with apoplcxy. In his hat
which still remained upon his head, was
his pocket handkerchief, which he had cv-
identity saturated with water in q small
stream a short distance back-ho doubt
lcssly having heard this spoken of as a pre-
yentive against sun stroke. The position Of
the lody,th placid serenity of the foatlr S,
all seemed to indicate that he had died
without a struggle or single sensation Of
pain-that there, along the solitary way
side, the unseen messenger gently lcosed
the silver cord, the golden bowl was insen-
sibly broken, and the spirit of God faith
ful servant "returncd unto Him who gave
it,"
Bishop Bowman was Pennsylvania.
He was born in the State and lived in ii
all his life. lie was born at Wikcsbarre
in the beautiful Wyoming valley, on the
2lst Of May, 1900 His father was an Of
ficer in the Revolutionary war, and was
an active participant in the battle of Lex
ington. Educated at an academy in his
native place, the law had been chosen as
his profession, but he soon became stu
dent Of divinity, having been brought un-
der deep religious conviction by the sud-
den death of his father, which resulted
from accident. lie was ordained in Phil
adclphia thirty-eight years ago and en-
tered upon ministerial duties in Ian coun-
ty in 1873, preaching his first sermons in
Loacock and Salisbury townships, where
he remained about two years, In 1925
he was stationed at Easton, but in the fol-
lowing year lie returned to his former
charges in Ian. county. In 1927 he ac-
ccptcd call to the Rcctorship of St. James
Church, Lancaster.
In ls45, he was, against his own incli-
nations, voted for as the candidate of those
in the convention who opposed Rev. DR..
Tying for Bishop, and was several time:
elected by the clergy, bat the loity refused
to concur. The contest was long and OK
citing, and Bishop Potter was finally elcc
ted as a compromise candidate, much tC