The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-23
ASSASSINATION.
COWAROLY MURDER OF cx MAYOR
BOWMAN, OF ST. LOUIS.
Shot Down in Sight OF His Home-Us
Dies without Giving Any Informa-
ton as to His Murderer--His
Active Life.

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 23-Ex- Mayor John
Bowman, of East St Louis, was murdered
about o'clocl; Friday evening within fifty
yards of his residence near the edge OF
town. He had been to Bsllevile, and was
walking home with saclIel in one hand,
and just before the shooting a
man was seen walking with him. A
shot was heard by the neishbors and a
minute or two afterward Mr.. Bo wman was
found lying on the sidewalk with hole in
tn back of his neck and the skin powder.
burnt, showing that the shot was fired at
close range. The murderer had disap-
peared, and Mr. Bowman was dying and
could give no Information. He livel only
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 net man or
woman in st. Louis, or child either, ~
years old, who has not heard of Mayor Bow
man, as he was called, although it i,
seven or eight years since he filled the Office.
During the ten years preceding 1875
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 boodshed. 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 Mt many times, and was
in many personal encounters in the council
chamber, but was never seriously hurt
no.,
of the East st LOUIS poles headquarters
his force attempted to take the builiing by
storm, and two of his men were shot and
killed. This was in the summer of 1915.
During the last seven years Mr.. Bowman
confined his attentions mostly to his prac
tce as lawyer AMI has figured in every
big lawsuit in st. Clair county. About two
months ago ex-Mayor Wilstaney died
from injuries received from being gorei by
a bull and left a large estate, watch his rel
ativeS are now FIGHTING over, and it is lie
lieved that the murder was n
re uit Of that quarrel. Bowman was in
the case ms a lawyer. and, it is sal |, his life
had been threatened Bowmans second
wife died couple of years ago under pecul
lar circumstance, from pistol shot
wound, believed to have been accidentally
inf cted by herself, a she carried pistol.
Bowman was charged by his enc
mics with having illel her, but
only his enemies believed this
story. The was a young lady. remark
ably handsome, AMI we'll educated % Bow
man was jew In religion, and native OF
Germany, AMI his right namo was Bow
NOV. He came to America when a boy
and changed his name. He has brother
in Bolleville, Ills, who still calls himself
Bowmow, and thriyeI as baker. Ex-
Mayor Bowman leaves four grown children.
two sons and two daughter. lilo was about
the richest man in East st. Lpuis.
Mr.. Bowman had spent most of the day
at his office, and during tho early evening
had been reading proof in The East st. Louis
Gazette office. About q o'clock he started
for his home. The ball entered the base Of
his brain, killing him instantly. Mr.. Bow.
man was a lawyer Of marked ability, and
was Il man of most pronounced character
and great energy and enter
prise. He had always leon leading
spirit in every prof act AMI plan for the i'm
provement of East St Louis. His strong
character has made him many bitter enc
mics, and it may be that one of these
wrecked his vengennc, upon him.
Frank Bowman has offered 5000 reward
for the capture Of the murderer OF his
fathar