National Republican., 1886-09-15
MURDERED MAYOR BOWMAN.

The Assnssin's Confession-Anegat
That n Railway onoial at St. Louis
Paid $4,000 for Having the Mayor
"Put out of the Way"
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 14,-Arthur Arthbuthnot
alias A. L. Pittmbnn, alias Charles Walker,
alias Parsons, recently arrested at Coving-
ton, Tenn, has confessed TO the sheriff OF
that county Of having murdered the late
Mayor Bowman, OF East st. Louis, on the
Goth day of last November. The sheriff has
sent the confession 10 the East st. Louis
authorities and 1t is In substance as follows
During the early part of November. 1885,
was Visiting In East 81. Louis, and while walk
Ing in the outskirts of the town about dusk
one evening, was approached by well
dressed man Of pleasing manners, who stopped
and conversed with me. After while he
asked me If / wanted TO mako some money.
told him yes, was pretty hard up, so was
man in East 81. Louis who he wanted to put
put OF the way. told him was his man. AMI
icould make arrangements to kidnap his Vie
but put out of the way. l said / would mur.
der the man for $1,000. II was going TO be
hanged at all wanted ato sell myself for n
decent amount didn't intend to commit
murder, however. meant TO kidnap the man
and keep him in nm asylum. by this means ]
could extort the money from my captive aud
pointmont tomeet him again. Attic second in
terylew learned that my employer was u
vice, president Of a railroad company and a
resident OF 81. Louis; The final arrangement1
job for $500. | stated Immediately for New
York, and while there made arrangements
With VIII Dandy I'm" and striped Charlie
November went back to East ST. Louis
and there completed the details
OF my scheme. bought bulldog revolver,
q five shooter OF Il caliber, aud two long hunt
ing knives didn't intend, want Il under
stood, TO murder Mr.. Bowman, but only bought
the weapons to defend myself II he should re-
sist my attempt to kidnap him That evening
met the railrond vice president by appoint
ment, and while we were talking together Mr..
Bowman passed by. "There is the man." said
my companion, That 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
accomplces had not arrived. / Stationed a
was my intention to drive him to an asylum
where had made arrangements for his con.
iincment. i then concealed myself near n
and waited. / soon perceived the gentleman
walking Ia my direction, and when
he came. opposite me | sprang out In
hSoIo S51 Of h dnd and my pistol
He seized my hand, and I told him to let go;
that was not going 10 Kill him. nor take his
money. He dropped my hand and stepped
order to quiet HIM l raised my revolver and
fired. He fell filce downward, and l then
knew that l had hurt him worse than ! had
intended TO-. did not then even comprehend
that had killed him. only intended 10 dis.
able him, place him in the carriage. and take
him to the. asylum. walked up to his toiy
and found that he was dead. then started
TO escape, and had gone but q short dis, ance
when l met my employer. He then paid mo
my money, and we went to his house In st.
Louis and spent the remainder of the night.
Early in the morning, disguised as a woman, /
took the first train for Springfield Ill.
The confession then details his travels
through the south, and his final arrival at
Covington, Tenn, and his subsequent ar
rest. He states that he makes the confes-
sion voluntarily, simply because Of guilty
conscience. lie knows his employers name,
| his place Of residence, and could easily
| identify him II he should ever see him again.
| He refuses to declare the vice presidents
name, but promises to do SO when the
| proper time shall arrive.