Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-09-15
TIE CONFESSION IN FULL.
How Es-Mnyor Bowman, of Past ~.
Louis, Was Murdered.

How Es-Mnyor Bowman, of Past ~.
Louis. Was Murdered.
ST. LOIIs September li.-Arthur Arh-
buthuSt, aiids Al Pittman, alias Charlie.
Walker, atlas Parsons, recently arrested at
Covington, Tenn, has confessed Ia the
Sheriff of that county Of having murdered
the late Mayor Eowman, of East -. Louis.
on the 10th OF last November. The
Sheriff has sent the confession 10 the East
St Louis authorities, and il is in substance
~ follows:
During the early part of November.
lS-j, ! was visiting in East -. Louis, and
while walking IN the outskirts Of the town
about dusk one evening was approached
by "a well dressed man of pleasing manners
who stopped and conyersed with me. AZ
ter awhile he asked me If wanted 10 make
some money. told him yes. ! WAS pretty
hard uD 40 ] was ready la 10 most any
thing. lie said there was man in East
ST. Iouis whom he wanted la put out of the
way. told him ! was hs man and !
could make arrangements Ia kidnap his
victim. lie said he didn't want
him kidnapped but put out Of
the way. ] said Ould murder the man
for $1,000. II ] was going io be hanged
at all, wanted 10 sell myself for q decent
amount. ! didn't intend 90 commit muT-
der. however Imeant 10 kidnap the man
and keep him in IN asylum. by this
means could cXtOrt money from my cap
tive and my principal at the same time.
made an appointment 10 meet him again.
and nj the second interview learned that
my employer was Vice President ~i
railroad company and resident
Of ST. Louis. The final arrangements wer.
then made, and then agreed Ia do the
Job for 81. 800 I started Immediately for
New York. and while there made arrange
ments with DANDY Jim and Striped
Charley Blake" tO assist me. On the Istli
Of November wpnt back Ia Fast 81 Louis
and there completed the details Of my
scheme. bought bulldog revolver, q
fye-shOotcr Of ii-calibfc, and two long
hunting knives. didn't intend. ] want
il understood, tO murder Mr. Bowman, hut
only bought the weapons to defend
myself if he should resist my attempt Ia
kidnap him. That evening met the rail
road Vice President by appointment, and
while We were talking together Mr.. Bow
man passed by. There Is the man. " said
my companion. that ! want you 10 put
out Of the way" He gave me his photo
graph. 10 that ! could make no mistake.
On the next night my plans were complete.
except that hny accompiices had not arrived.
! stationed hack near Mr. Bowmans
house, in which II was my intention Ia
drive him 10 an asylum, where hal mad.
arrangements for his confinement then
eon .aled myself near lumber pile in
front Of Mr.. Bowmab's house aud waited.
so0n perceived a gentleman walking in
my direction, aud when he came opposite
me sprang out in front Of him and pre-
sented my pistol before his face and com
manded him TO halt.
He seized my hand and told him 10 let
go, that I was not going 10 kill him nor
take his money. He dropped my hand
and stepped away foot or two and called
police.
In order 10 quiet him I raised my re-
yolyer and fred. He fell face d0wnwards
and then knew that had hurt him
wOrse than ! had intended. ! did not
even then comprehend that had killed
him.
only intended to dn able him, place him
In carriage and take him 10 an asylum.
walked up to his body and found that he
was dead. then started 10 escape, and
had gone but short distance when met
my employer. He then paid me my money,
and we went to his house in 81. Louis and
spent the remainder Of the night. Early
in the morning, disguised as woman, I
took the first train for Springfield, ILL.,"
The confession then details his travels
through the South and his final arrival at
CovingtOn, Tenn, and bis subsequent ar
rest.
He states that he makes the confession
voluntarily, simply because Of guilty
conscience. lie knows his employers
name, his place Of residence, and could
easily identify him IL be should ever see
him again. He refuses tn declare the
Vice Presidents name, but promises to do
50 when the proper time shall arrive.