The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-09-16
The Murderer. of Mayor Bowman Ac-
knowledges His Crime.
A Railroad Vice President Alleged to
be the hstlgator of the Plot,
And Pays $4,000 for the Completion
of the Foul Job.
A st. Louis Embezz.er Arrested in a
House CT nl-fams.
The N. W. T. O. Petitioning for Pro
lection of Their Sex.
Amuraerer captured.

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 14.-Arthur Arbutanot.
alias A. L. Pittman, alias Charles Walker,
alias Parsons, recently arrested at CoVIng.
ton, Tenn, has confessed to the sheriff OF
that county to having murdered the late
ex-MaYor Bowman, OF East st. LOUIS, on
the Goth day OF November, 1885. The
sheriff has sent the confession b the Au-
thorities of East st. Louis, and in cub
stance II is as follows:
During the early part OF November,
1885, was visiting in East ST. Louis, and
while walking in the outskirts OF the city
about dusk one evening, was approached
by q well dressed man OF pleasing appear
ance, who stopped and cOnversed with me
and after while he asked me II wanted
to make some money. told him that l
did and that was hard up.
He said there was q man IN East st.
Louis whom he wanted put out of the way.
told him was his man and could make
arrangements to kidnap his victim.
He said he didn't want him kidnapped,
but murdered. l said l would murder
him fog 5000, for If l was going
to be hanged at all wanted
to sell myself for decent amount. L
didn't intend to commit murder, how
ever. / meant to kidnap the man and
keep him in an asylum, and by this
means could eztOrt money from both
my captive and my principal at the same
time. We made an appointment to meet
again, and at this second interview
learned that my employer was vice.
president of q railroad company and a
resident of East st. Louis. The final ar.
rangements were then made, and agreed
to take the Job for $2,500; $1,000 of
that amount he paid me on the spot in
gold. started Immediately for New
York, and while there made arrange
ments with "Dsndy Jim" and Striped
10th of November went back
to East St. Louis, and there arranged
the details of the scheme. bought bull
dog revolver, five shooter of torty-four
calibre and two long hunting knives. l
didn't intend, I want it understood, TO
murder Bowman, but only bought the
weapons to defend myself II he should re-
sist my attempt TO kidnap him. That
evening met the railroad vice. president
by appointment and while we were talk
ing together Bowman passed by. "There
is the man. said my companion, shat [
want 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 accomplice had not arrived.
1 stationed a hack near Bowman's house
In which it was my intention, to drive
him TO an asylum where l had
made arrangement for his confinement. /
then concealed myself near lumber pile
in front of Bowman's house and waited
soon perceived the gentleman walking
in my direction and when he came oppo-
site me sprang out in front of him and
presented my pistol before his face and
commanded him to halt. He seized my
hand and told him to let go; that I was
not going to kill him nor take his money.
He dropped my hand and stepped away
foot or TWO and called "police." In
order to quiet him raised my revolver
and fired. He fell face downwards and l
then knew that had hurt him worse than
had intended. I do not even then
comprehend that had killed him as /
had only intended TO disable him and
place him IN the carriage aud take HIM to
an asylum. walked up to his body and
found that he was dead. then started to
escape and had gone but a short distance
when met my employer. He then paid
me the rest of the money and we went to
his house in st. Louis and spent the re-
mainder of the night Early In the morn
Jog disguised IS woman ana took the
first train for Springfield, Illinois.
The confession then details his travels
through the south and his final arrival
at CoVingtoD, Tenn, and his subsequent
arrest. He states that he makes the con-
fesslon voluntarily simply because OF
ployer's name and his place of residence
and could easily identify him if he should
ever see him again. He refuses to dis
close the vice presidents name, but prom
Ises to do so when the proper time shall
arrive