St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-09-15
mURDERER,s CONFESSION.
Arthur ArbuthnOt Says He Killed
Mayor OWmam, of East vt. Louis
at the EnstigatiOn of n Railroad
Vice. Presiuent.

at the EnstigaliOn of n Railroad
Vice-Presiuent.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 14.-Arthur Arbuth
not. alias A. l.. Pittmann, alias Charles
Walker, alias Parsons, recently arrested at
Covington, Tenn, has confessed to the
sheriff of that county of having murdered
the late Mayor Bowman, of East st. Louis,
on the 10th of last November. The sheriff
has sent the confession to the East ST. Louis
authorities. and it is in substance as fol-
lows:
During the early part of November, 1885,
was residing in East st. Louis and while walk
ing In the outskirts of the town about dusk
one evening", | was approached by we'll
dressed man OF pleasing manners, who
stopped and conversed with me. After
aw lille he asked me If wanted to make some
money. l told him yes. was pretty hard up,
so was ready to do most anything. He said
there was a man in East St. Louis who he
wanted to
PUT OUT OF THE WAY.
told him ! was the man, and could make
arrangements to kidnap his victim. He said
he didn't want him kidnapped but put out OF
the way l said would murder theanan for
SO, geo. If was going to be hanged at all l
wanted to sell myself for decent amount.
didn't intend to commit murder, however. L
meant to kdnap the man and keep him in al
asylum. By this means could extort money
from my captive and my principal at the
same time. / made an appointment to meet
HIM again, when learned that my employer
was vice-president Of railroad company
and resident of St. Louis. The ANAL ar
engagements were then made. and then L
agreed to do the job for $500. l started i'm
medately for New York, and while there
| made arrangements with "Dsudy Jim" and
Striped Charley Blake to assist me- On the
| 18th of November l went back to East st.
| Louis and there completed the details Of my
| scheme. l bought bulldog revolver, a five
| shooter of 44-caibre, and two long hunting
| knives. L didn't intend, L want IL under
stood, to murder Mr.. Bowman. but only
bought the weapons to defend myself if he
| should resist my attempt to kidnap him.
| That evening
MET THE RAILROAD vICE-PREsIDENT
by appointment, and while we were talking
| together Mr.. Bowman passed by. There is
| the man." said my companion, THAT L want
| you to put out of the way" He gave me his
| photograph so that could make no mistake
| On the next night my plans were complete,
except that my accomplices had not arrived.
| ] stationed hack near Mr.. Bowmans house
| in which it was my intention to drive him to
| an asylum, where l had made arrangements
! for his confinement. I then concealed myself
| near a lumber pile in front Of Mr.. Bowman's
| house and watched and waited. soon per-
| ceiVed the gentleman walking in my direction
and when he came opposite me l sprang out
| in front of him and presented my pistol be-
| fore his face and commanded him to halt He
! seized my hand and told him to let 20, that
| was not going to kill him nor take his
| money. He dropped my hand and stepped
away a foot or two and called, police" In
order to quiet him l raised my revolver and
| fired. He fell face downwardS and [ knew
| that had hurt him worse than l had in
| tended. did not even then comprehend that
HAD KILLED HIN.
| had Only intended to disable him, place
| him in the carriage and take him to the aSy-
| lum. l walked up to his body and found that
| he was dead. I then started to escape, and
| had gone but short distance when met my
| employer. He then paid me my money and
! we went to his house in St. Louis and spent
| the remainder of the night EARLY i'll the
| morning, disguised as woman. took the
| first train for Springfield, ILL.,"
The confession then details his travels
| through the South and his final arrival at
| Covngton and his subsequent arrest. He
states that he makes the confession volun-
tarily, simply because of guilty con-
science. He knows his employers name
his place of residence, and could easily
| identify him if he should ever see him
again. He refuses to declare the vice-pres-
ident's name, but promises to do so when
| the proper time shall arrive.