Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1885-11-25
ASSASSINATION.
MURDER OF Ex-MAYoR
BOWMAN, OF ST. LOUIS.
Shot Down In Sight of His Home-Ho
Dies Without Giving Amy Informal
tion as to His Murderer-HIs
Active Life.

ST.. LOUIS, Nov. Eek Mayor John
Bowman, Of East st. Louis, was murdered
about o'clock Friday evening within fifty
yards Of his residence near the edge of
town. He had been to Belleville, and was
walking home with sachel in one hand,
and just before the shooting q
man was seen walking with him. A
shot was heard by the neighbors, and a
minute or two afterward Mr.. Bowman was
found lying on the sidewalk with hole in
the back Of his neck and the skin powder
burnt, showing that the shot was fred at
close range The murderer had disap-
peared, and Mr.. Bowman was dying and
could give no information. He lived only
8 few minutes.
The news of the murder spread like Wild
fire throughout East st. Louis and to this
side Of the river, as there is not a man or
woman in st. Louis, or a child either, 10
years old, who has not heard of Mayor Bow
man, as he was called, although it is
seven or eight years since he filled the Office.
During the ten years preceding 1878
he had full control of the municipal govern
ment Of East st. Louis carrying every
election as he pleased, though not without
many bitter fights and much bloodshed. He
built what is called the Bowman dixie, con-
Meeting Bloody island with the mainland,
and constructed many other improvements.
The city all this time was divided into
two parties more hostile to each other
than two foreign countries in time
Of war. Bowman's party was in the ma
jority, or at least carried all the elections,
and kept in power until he got tired of the
excitement and withdrew from active poll.
tics He was shot at many times, and was
in arv y,oronna1 anOOuntars in fha ooIIO oil
chamber, but was never seriously hurt.
Once when the opposite party got possession
of the East St Louis police headquarters
his force attempted to take the building by
storm, and two of his men were shot and
killed. This was in the summer of 1875
During the last seven years Mr.. Bowman
confined his attentions mostly to his prac-
tice as lawyer, and has figured in every
big lawsuit in St Clair county. About two
months ago ex-Mayor Wilstanley died
from injuries received from being gored by
bull and left large estate, which his rel
atives are now fighting over, and it is be-
lieved that the murder was
result Of that quarrel. Bowman was in
the case as a lawyer, and, it is saii his life
had been threatened. Bowman's second
wife died couple of Years ago under pecul-
lar circumstances from a pistol shot
wound, believed to have been accidentally
inflicted by herself, as she carried pistol
Bowman was charged by his ene-
mics with having killed her, but
only his enemies believed this
story. The was young lady. yemark-
ably handsome, and we'll educated. Elbow
man was Jew in religion, and native of
Germany, and his right name was Bow
NOW. He came to America when boy
and changed his name. He has brother
in Belleville, Ills., who still calls himself
Bowmow, and thrives as a baker. Ex-
Mayor Bowman leaves four grown children,
two sons and two daughters. He was about
the richest man in East St. Louis.
Mr.. Bowman had spent most of the day
at his Office, and during the early evening
had been reading proof in The East st. Louis
Gazette office. About 6 o'clock he started
for his home. The ball entered the base Of
his brain, killing him instantly. MIR. Bow
man was a lawyer of marked ability, and
was a man Of most pronounced character
and great energy and enter.
prise. He had always been a leading
spirit in every project and plan for the i'm.
provsment of East St. Louis. His strong
character has made him many bitter ene-
mics, and it MAY be that one Of these
wrecked his vengeance upon him.
Frank Bowman has offered S. 900 reward
for the capture of the murderer Of his
father.