Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-03-18

Death OF Judge BoWie.-The sudden
death of the late Hon. Richard Johns Bowie,
at his residence near Rockville, on Saturday
night last, gave great shock to our whole
community. When best prepared, we are
never fully resigned to the sudden departure
of the loved and honored. When we know,
as in this Instance, that they cannot much
longer remain with us in the order of nature,
We postpone the inevitable hour and dismiss
the possibility of the fact as an unwelcome
intruder upon the joy of life.
Judge Bowie's character never courted ap-
probation by demonstrative appeals to popu-
iar applause. 1t rather retired within itself
with native delicacy of taste and DISPOSE
ton that shrank instinctively from the in
trusive glare of common life But he had
wealth of true nature within, refined by re-
ligion and polished by culture that ever
responded to the sympathies of his friends.
We do not say that he was faultless. His
own pure spirit if it could speak to US from
the spirit-world, would be the first to rebuke
the heartless eulogy. But we do say that
the elements of his nature were so beauti-
fully mingled and under such grand restraint
that without demonstrativeness he possessed
a rare power of magnetism in winning the
combined confidence and affection of all
who knew him. Some men are lovable
without inspiring very high respect. But
none could properly know Judge Bowie
without entertaining profound respect for
the qualities winning regard. At times he
seemed to lack enthusiasm in the popular
meaning of the word but deeper analysis
of the elements of his inner nature would
soon convince us that the enthusiasm of
truth, and of right, and of honor never
slumbered within, but was always ready to
breathe forth its inspirations.
Purity was the atmosphere of his life
The deductions of his intellect and the de-
cisions of his judicial mind, commanded
authority because it was 80 well known that
his honesty of purpose and conviction could
never be impeached. He was noble sentinel
on the watch-tower of human rights and
happiness. His love of right for its own
sake made him the fearless advocate of truth,
regardless of consequences. Impurity and
wrong doing stood rebuked and dismayed
by his very presence. He had been trained
in that old school of heightened honor and
courtesy in which our fathers were trained;
and while he knew how to accommodate
hiYnanlf N tho innuita lla ,hav Nf
he remained valiant for the truth and fear.
less in upholding principle.
In religion and politics, he kept himself
unspotted from the world. The State laments
that she can place no more laurels on that
noble brow. The Church of his love chanted
her sorrowful anthems and breathed her
saddest prayers around his honored grave.
1t would be almost profane to enter, even
with sympathetic step, the charming home
once lighted up by such life and character
now dark with heart-breaking sorrow.
Only the footstep of Him who comforted the
mourners at Bethany can be tolerated in ma
lures first agony Of grief. He who wept at
Lazarus tomb, will visit them in the silent
ministrations of His love and re-unite these
broken links in the deathless world where
the inhabitants shall no more say, ~ am
sick"
With these lines, we present the follow
ing admirable sketch of Judge Bowie's life,
copied from the Baltimore american:
Orchard J. Bowie was born in George
town, d. c., June 30, 1907, and was conse-
quently in the 74tb year of his age He
received a classical education, and was ad-
mitted to the bar at Washington when 10
year to Rockville, Montgomery county, Md,
where he practiced law, and was afterwards
admitted to the bar of the United States
Supreme Court. His talents and learning
found recognition among the people Of
Montgomery county, who, in 1885, elected
him 10 the State Senate, of which he was
member in 1885 and 1887. During all this
time he was an ardent admirer and warm
supporter of Henry Clay, and was elected
a delegate TO the Harrisburg convention of
1910. He took prominent part in the cam
paign OF that year, travelling all over the
state and addressing public meetings iniavor
of the election OF the Wing candidate for
President of the United States. In 1874 he
was elected prosecuting attorney FOR Mont
gomery county, and held that position until
1849. He served as a member of Congress
from 1849 to 1863, and made the first speech
in the House Of Representatives on the COM
promise measures of 1850. After the expi-
ration of his second congressional term, he
was nominated as the Wing candidate for
governor, but was defeated by Il. Watkins
Lyon, the Democratic nominee. The dis
solution of the Wing party about that time
discouraged him-as it did many others
from taking any active part in politics for
some years afterward. The outbreak Of the
war, however, found him staunch Union
man and consistent in his devotion to the
cause. In 1868 he was elected TO the bench,
becoming q member of the Court of Appeals.
So eminent was he for his judicial learning
that Governor Bradford appointed him as
the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.
He occupied this Office until the adoption Of
the Constitution of 1857, wheL he was again
a candidate for Chief Judge of the Sixth
Circuit. In that year no Republican was
elected To any position in this state, and
Judge Bowie shared the same lot, being de-
feated by Madison Nelson Upon the death
of Judge Nelson lac was elected in Novem-
Der, 1871, as Chief Judge of the Circuit
Court, and again became member Of BE
Court Of Appeals. The Constitution Of the
state makes a judge who has attained his
SEVENTEEN year ineligible TO a seat on the
bench without the sanction Of the Legislature,
and the General Assembly Of 1876 extended
his time ~ 1882. Judge Bowie, though ad-
vanced in age, was very active man up 10
within one year Of his death. Up 10 that time
he was one of the most regular attendants Of
the Court of Appeals, and was regarded as
one Of the ablest lawyers on the bench. He
was the only Republican member Of the
Court Of Appeals. His illness did not be-
come Of serious nature until five days ago,
when Inflammation of the mucous membrane,
stomach and bowels set in. He leaves
widow, who is the daughter Of Gen. Ohio
II. Williams, OF Hagerstown, and whom he
married 1888. He never had any children.
J. r. yinson, tbs present auditor Of the
District Of Columbia, wss early associated
with Judge Bowie in the practice Of law"
The remains were buried in the Episco-
pal cemetery short distance from the late
a