The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1886-01-14

4 Plea ior NE Pardon q / J. 0owss&
EDITORS MINERAL ARGUS "A few !
words about the Bowles matter. l have
always done my best to uphold the
laws Of our country and the decisions
Of our courts, even when I believed
they were wrong, unless they failed to
provide n remedy, but our law makers,
judges and jurors are all liable to
human errors and f;.ilings, hence such a
difference in decisions and verdicts. A
man who has been what is called u
"clever fellow" or is able to hire the
best counsel may commit deliberate
murder and go scot free, while some
other poor fellow, like Bowles, that has
a bad name-justly or unjustly-and
no money to pay lawyer, suffers to
the full extent of the law.
1t is claimed on one hand that
Bowles' sentence was severe, but that he
worthless, dangerous when drunk, that
he set fire to the prairies, that he drew
n pistol on a man at Wheeler's saloon,
that he killed his squaw and is better
in the penitentiary than ut large. On
the other hand it is claimed that he
has always lived on the frontier among
rough men, hut that he was generous,
always willing to help the needy; that
he has been lied about and has had to
suffer for the wrong doings Of others;
thar he can shoot an antelope on
the run, was close to the man he shot
at, shot wide of the mark, only intend
ing to frighten him, was under the in
huence Of liquor and was put up to
doing what he did by others.
Now, don't excuse him for doing
wrong, nor for being drunk, nor for
being punished when others are not,
but the simple question is whether
there has not been an unnecessary
prejudice against Bowles, whether, un-
der all the circumstances his sentence
was not comparatively severe, and
whether the ends Of justice and the
good Of the community demand his
further retention. While he lived long
on the frontiers and associated with
rough men he had his good qualities.
His old partner, Reed, described him
in seventeen words. He said: "BOwles
had soul like an OK but he did not
have damned bit of sense" meaning
he was generous and "whole souled"
but lacked judgment.
As to the charges urged against him,
first, that he is wOrthless-If all Of Us
that are worthless are to be kept in the
penitentiary there will be nearly as
many inside rs out. Second, his being
dangerous when drunk-Nearly all men
are more or less dangerous when drunk
and it is a great pity such men can
have the opportunity to get drunk.
Third, that he set fire to the prairie
He denies this, and Mr.. Potts letter
published in the ARGUS, addressed to
myself and others, says i'm place of
Bowcs setting out fire he done his best
to put it out. Fourth, he admits the
trouble at Wheeler's saloon and regrets
it. Fifth, he denies killing his squaw
and there is no proof that he did. In
short il is easy to get up stories against
a man behind his back. | have been
sheltered by his rude hospitality, both
from the Indians and the elements,
when he had but little ogive, but what
he had was generously given to the
last morsel, and don't believe he ever
turned a white man from his door.
| would recommend to your readers
the perusal of an editorial i'm a late
Husbandman that is to the point. In
short, Messrs. Editors, there is nothing
like trying. have no data on which
to draw up a petition; if you will get
one drawn up in proper shape, stating
all the facts, print, say fifty, mail one
half to friends of Bowles throughout
the territory asking them to sign and
circulate, or get somebody to do it, and
send the other twenty-five to me, will
also send them out for circulation, and
| will pay for the petitions.
JAMES FEKGus.
L. 81 have a fancy bride made by
Bowles, Of plated calf skin, while in
the penitentiary, price $40, which