Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-05-14

i i-AN A3h0e tS+hA III NouGFtSet ptln-
spoken of for denomination, he de-
clined TO run. When out of political
position he appears to have no more
put any restraint upon his appetite for
drink. He became dissolute even de
prsved in his habits. Still, even after
this he was honored with a prominent
appointment, as one of the first batch
of Quaratine Commissioners. To him
is partly due the selection of Staten
Island, his own home, as the place for
the quaratine station. After this
time he did not again participate ac-
lively in politics, but sank into de-
| pravity. Some ten years aga Andrew
Bovine, the {; ther. lie /, leaving about
one-half a million of money to his son
He married the daughter Of Dr.. Harri-
son, formerly Health Officer Of the port.
She brought him fortune, but both
hers and his own rapidly wasted away by
his intemperance. Years ago she OBJ
tanned adivorce in consequence of his
disposition to drink, but some time
later re married him during one Of his
rare intervals of sanity In the mean
time he had been married to Brook
lyn lady, who died Again he lapsed
into his old state. In June, 1873,
through some of his old influence,
Bovine was appointed an Inspector of
street pavements in the department of
Public Works, at a salary of So 80 per
day. He was removed from that posi-
ton in November Of the same year.
Since that time he appears to have had
no employment whatever. He had left
Staten Island at that time, and was liv-
ing in Eghty-sixth street, New York,
with his wife.
The circumstances of the death of
Obadiah Bovine are curious. He
seems, from the story told, to have
been determined to meet his death by
his own hand He called, on Monday
| morning, at newspaper office, and
said he knew Of a good sensation.
which it would pay to work up He
asked that reporter meet him at FIVE
O'Clock on that day at the Staten Island
ferry house, for the purpose of going
to the island together Bovine was
seen by several friends at the ferry at
the time mentioned. He spoke with
them pleasantly, but declined to 90
with them, saying he had an appoint
ment. Bovine was aboard the ferrvhoat
with strange man. He spoke with sev.
eral on the boat going down, and said to
one that he would be dead by noon on
Tuesday. As, however, he appeared to
be in such good spirits nobody took
what he said seriously, and as his
habits were known to all Staten Is
landers, those who heard the remark
thought it one Of the results of drink
ing. After landing Bovine, in company
with the strange person, took the cars
to Richmond. and stopped at Moore 5
Hotel. There they took supper and
then passed the evening in the bar
room During the evening, while
drinking heavily, Bovine continued to
speak of ending his life, and seemed
determined in his purpose. About ten
o'clock he went up stairs to his room
His companion says that after go
ing up stairs. Bovine told him
the history Of his life and told many of
his old political battles, victories and
defeats, and said that all his prospects
had been ruined BY his mad passion
for liquor He then said: My time
has come. | have nothing further to
live for--a ruined and besotted man
death is the only resource. " Thereup-
on he took a bottle Of laudanum from
his pocket and swallowed it hastily.
The strange man ran down stairs Civ
ing the alarm. In spite Of resoratives,
Bovine died at halt-paSt eleven that
night, being unconscious al the time.
The death Of 50 well known char
acter on the island has caused 20 small
commotion there, and the feeling is
generally one Of pity and regret for
one who could have used his talents so
we'll ami have been shining light in
his country and history, Seldom had
a man better opportunities, and never
did a man waste them more wantonly
than Obadiah Bowie. He was man
of education and good address, having
been a graduate at Princeton College.
His wife and two sons live TO mourn
his terrible fate,