St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-10-22

promised considerable ability" Per
maps the most Important event IN the
life of Frank j. Bowman, OF the one
which brOuehl 10 him
THE GREATEST FAME.
or nOtOriety, YaS his work as counsel
for the county of st. Louis in the cele-
6rated case of George E. Ketchum
against the Pacific railroad. A suit was
brought III the United States circuit
court 10 forecloSe the third mortgage on
the Pacihc railroad and appoint recelv-
ers. While the action was going on the
law firm of Hill & Bowman, the part
and Frank j. Bowman, representing
the county of st. Louis, filed an
intervening petition on behalf OF the
county. setting up that the county had
a prior lien nn the property In the
amount of $7O0.O00. The petition de-
clared that under the act of the legisla-
ture passed about 1865, the county OF st.
Louis loaned the Pacific railroad $780,
200 in twenty-yeaT per cent bonds.
The interest on these bonds had been
regularly paid as il fell due until the
embarrassmeDts began which ended
in this suit for foreclosure.
These bonds were actually handed over
to the Pacific Railroad company, the
fOrerunner of the present Missouri Pa
cific company, without SO much as few
scraps to show that there was loan 10
the county. This was i'm fact on unSe-
cured debt. As the debt was contracted
under and by virtue of an act of the
legislature. Bowman took the ground
that this act was in itself sufficient
notice to all parties of the eX-
istence of the debt and of the com
pany's liability, and that it did not mat
ter through how many hands the title to
the railroad property might pass. the
county of st. Louis had an equitable
lien upon the earnings of the road for
the amount OF the interest as it accrued.
and for the principal when it fell due.
Bowman won his Case, it being bitterly
fought and carried up to the supreme
court of the United States. There was
a great array of legal talent. The
COLONEL SELLERS MINE
litigation, in which Bowman was also
successful. added luster to his fame as a
lawyer. though the case was carried up
and is now in the supreme court Bow
man was aggressive and fearless, and it
is recalled that he has challenged Two
men 10 fight with deadly weapons. ac-
cOrding to The code duelO. The first
was StiltOn Hutchins, formerly editor
of the St. Louis Times. and the last,
Hon. John VI. Glover. eX-member
of congress. Neither duel was car
Tied out. however. While to-day's
tragedy has created considerable excite
meni. such a violent death Is regarded
so much in the light of what might have
been expected for Frank J. Bowman
that it somewhat dulls the excitement
of the hour. 1t is claimed that Bowman
died poor, and yet this is scarcely cred
tied. for he is known TO possess a great
deal of property, notes, etc. and has
always been regarded as well fixed,
financially. His last wife has
been i'm Europe for some time, and is
now On the ocean Ell route home. She
was to meet her husband at New Or
leans. From there Bowman intended
to 20 to Texas. where he has property.
Chambers will not talk, and his motive
for the action cannot. therefore, be as
certajned. 1t is said that Bowman was
very irOnical and cauStic, and seemed
desirOus of provoking the wrath of his
slayer. Little has been heard of B. NJ.
ChSm since his retirement from
newspaper work. He was at one time
very wealthy. but now has scarcely any
thing save the annuity from his wifc's
estate.