New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-15
F. B. GOWEN A SUICIDE.
Continued from Second PaEe.)

concerned. receivers in the meanwhile to make all
possible effort for reductions Of interest rentals
and fixed charges might be possible, with the
purpose of making many of the fixed obligations As
possible dependent upon the capacity OF the company
to the interest which should not be accumulatve
In this letter President Gowen said he was willing TO
remain as a receiver but must not be put In The
position Of forcing himself into IT against the wishes
Of those who entitled 10 have voice In the
approval or selection OF receiver on July 70
he wrote again. saying that. in the present era OF
low earnings, compromises would be much easier OF
accomplishment. Ten days later the foreign BOND
holders committee passed resolutions substantially APP
proving Of the thus roughly mapped out, ana
suggesting the appointment of American committee
In private letter McCalm0nt Bros. Co., Presl-
dent Gowen said that he could now see how he had
been blind. and had deceived himself well as
others thai he could not but feel deeply for their
losses, and that he swas ready TO re-
tire from the receivcrship in favor OF any one who
would give greater confidence, and further acquittins
them from any responsibility for the calamues that
had overtaken the company. On August Z the com
mitee President Gowcn. approving OF his
plan and deferrng action upon his rendered resignation
but, the 36th the committee wrote again saying that
Mr.. Powell had consented TO go TO America and would
at place himself in communication with the
receivers. The committee was then about to issue
second report and. continued the letter, must now
ask you In accordance with your offers already made
to allow il in your report that your resignation
viii take place as arrangements have been
made for the appointment OF your successor To
this President Gowen dcmurred by cable and finally
hatly refused go unless his plan adopted. Mr.
Powell Lori Cairns and Hugh McCalmont telegraphed
him to do nothing until Powelps arrival The latter,
who, for generation, had been the broker for Me-
Calmont Bros Co., arrived in october, and It was
not long before Mr. Gowen published letter, in which
he said that any further communications to him from
Mr.. Powell would be returned unopened. Mr. Powell
packed his bag and sailed for London, whore he arrived
a fortnight ahead OF Mr.. Gowen On the very day
hat the latter was receiving his votes OF confidence
he also received notice that the McCalmOn interest
against his retention zion IN Office Mr. GoweD had made
bold stand but this opposition from the McC alm0hts
meant defeat The bOndhOders were successful al
the election and placed Frank 5. Bond at ne head OF
the company. Mr.. GOwen carried the matter 10 the
courts, but was again defeated.
In 1852 Mr. GOwen again elected president OF
the Philadelphia and Reading road and the Coal and
Iron Company. Early in 1883 the receivers of the
IV0sd OF whom Mr. Gowcn had been one Tor parl
OF the time, surrendered the property to the officers
OF the company. Mr.. Governs friends I'm the mean
uli having aided him IN raising funds % relieve the
road OF its most pressing embarrassments. 1hs re-
ownership lasted fIom May, 1850, to May.
I'm such condition that another receiver
appointed in June, 1884 and the receivership was
NOT closed until January, 1855. Early IN 1855 inc
services OF Mr. Austin COrbin sought by the com
pany. Nr Gowen resigned the presidency. and, the
Drexel-Morgan syndicate having been formed Mr..
Gorbn became one of the receivers and finally presi-
dent OF the road.
Il was while he was counsel for the Philadelphia
and Reading Railroad that Mr. GOwen began. the
work which ended in the suppression of the Organi
cation known the Z" MOllie Maguires.' which had
produced reign Of terror in the coal region
tending twenty years For years detectives
were busy ferreting ont the work Of these criminals
and in 1876 Mr.. GOwen appeared I'm the courts one
Of the counsel for the state. The evidence secured
so strong that the organization was completely
broken up and the coal regions experienced freedom
from crime which they had not known Tor many
years. During all this time Mr.. GOwcn showed great
personal courage. for he had become known the
persistent enemy OF of the cruelcst and most
desperate organizations known TO recent tines and
whenever he appeared within the coal regions he
took hi, life In his hands.
Mr.. Gowcn tall and dignifed and Of command
Ing appearance. His personal power great, and
he had unusual number of devoted friends. lie
a polished speaker and a of wonderful mem
DRY. In politics he Democrat. Under Mr.
Governs presidency the relation OF the Reading with
the Vanderbilt roads became intimate. Short
connecting lines were mutually built in the neghbor
hood OF Williams port by which the Reading road
cured ain outlet for ts anthracite the lines Of the
New-YOrk Central 10 Buffalo and beyond.