The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-02-03
TOM BOWEN.


 Tom Bowen. who has jus, been elected to the United States senate from Cobra do. was onee one of the most conspicu- ous carpet basgers in Arkansa@. lie came 70 this city shortly after the war. and was soon prominently identified in the turbulent affairs of an almost ruined commonwealth. Although TO, man of very decided ability. he was very popular among his brother political eon,orionists. and among his other attractions was a disposition to take a hand in an ocea- sional game of poker. He tipped glasses occasionally and more than once he was ,cea in a loose-tongued condition. In SUI h aa age. !; tune ot such demand for men Of varied accomplishments. It sas d.iheul: b keep an honest man l9aa. and Bowen took seat on the su- plrmc bench. where his a5il.nes al poker and his capacity for drinking no doaB, ioGnd immediate apprec cia:lon. X wicked man. to whose hear, the lnler- est of the state does no, clins. s,.i:cd j story 10 lhc effc ,hat Bowen oace ,aFncd D lawyer. during the reading oi :. lEg opinion and sad -'Say. Bill. come over and lets haze a A;tle game while these other fellows are a,iend,rs .a ..he -!!saas. Thls- ma3l1~ao; have been tolerated in any b4; a catpe; bag court room.
 on one occasion Bowen conceived the idea Q: saiEs to he tinted States senate. lust about this tune. inc republican p4ru's f.l friend. $. W. Dorsey. con- eeived an idea strikinsly similar. These twa conceptions were followed up until ll3etfeH -te..ted. Men who claim to have seen inc ln:crnal machinery of the ..;i.alr. s,sy that bowen. seeing that his e.e non aa, extremely doubtful. sold his it.,l aoree .o Dorsey Tor ip1'y-ii3e thousand lxtlsss. Thi- ,terg, although !; .s IeA- a..b!e enough. doe, ao: meet wiih Gri- ges=.} 3etet. nat ;al, Ho~ea Noald nave sefzsed i.if price fos h, ia.laea Q. and ref .aat Dorsey wzts ;ee pare .a a.s Po-a
 <. a;ea,.ans than to throw thc cor rap. .,A; of money mo his struggle iof ! h sh aai haaoss2le position. hu; because Dorsey a;saat tl'ae d.: no. pos ,alh a 3a5se sam oi money An4 because itossca gt.i TO: possess fafty-tve thoasand .lo.i.rs worth of influence. h those days influence was hlsn and often demanded iahuioas prices, yet. II is not reasona- bie 70 believe tha, Dorsey would be so rash. or. as a ken,lckian would say. rampant. as to pay more than Inc mar k, price.
 When Bowen lei, Little Rock. shortly after he Bgooks-Aax,er war, he did no; haze. ], was sad. more than enough money required in ;rave!ing on free pass He went 70 Colorado the re;fca, of the Aikansaw carpet bacger. and for . ions i;pe he seemed-io have been sitting down. resting, Tor little was heard oi him. Occasionally. carpet bagger. writing 10 one who could not raise money enough to pay lis way ou; of the state. would say: Saw our old friend Bo.en. yes ,erday. He was sitting under tree. looking tired and away from home" After awhile. and jus, as the public was on the very eve oi entirely forgetting he man. Bowen blazed into sensational con- s25ruousness. He was the proprietor of aa immense silver mine. His old friends seen recognized hm. and in a few days he was one oi the mos, popular men in Calrrr1a. The other day he brightness If h, >llaei reflected his talent. and ,hreE i; n kird of glare or ;he Color Ado legislature. oi course he ~..s elected.