San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-04-14
JOHNNIE FOWLER,
DID NOT DIE OF CONSUMPTION,
AS HAS BEEN REPORTED,
But infatuated by a Woman and in
Financial Difficulties he Com
mitted Suicide.

1t will be remembered that the White
Elephant saloon, on Main plaza, in its
paImy days, was run by Fowler & Ber-
liner. Sam Berliner still resides in the
city but Captain Fowler died some years
ago at his residence on LOsGyo street.
OCaptain Fowler had a son, John, who
was well known in the city, and who as
sisted him in his business. After his
fathers death John and his mother went
to San Francisco. They had considerab Q
means and John went into partnership
with man named w. I'll. Eastland and
they started an wholesale crockery bust
ness on Market street under the style of
Eastland, Fowler & Co. After precari-
Gus existence the firm failed with SlSO,OO0
liabilities. Then EaStland and Fowler
went into mining ventures and met with
Sdch reverSeS that both were nigh praC-
tically broken. These losses seem to have
p'eyed severely on Fowler's mind and in
duced a me!anchOIia to which may be
charitably aScribed the main cause of his
sad end.
1t has been reported that John Fowler
is dead and died from consumption. That
he is dead and buried is true, but that he
died from consumption is false unless it be
the consumption Of bullet taken with
Su1cldal intent.
On the day of his death Fowler reside d
with his mother at S25 Franklin street.
At the break fast table he seemed in good
spirits. but some accidental aluSiOn to
his fathers death appeared to cloud him
and he left the table out of humOr and
evidently depressed in spirits. He went
to his room and, as was subsequently
found, took off valuable diamond ring
he was wearing and placed it under some
-. lntf Il
his mother goodbye and saying that
when she next saw him he would be dead.
Then he took his pistol and left the
house.
he then went to the rooms of Mrs. Eva
Dodge. which Is located on the Van Ness
louise. Mrs. Dodge is a handsome
blonde with tlaXen curls and she and
Fowler became acquainted four years ago.
Some tender episodes occurred but the
mands the steamer Emily" that runs
between Frisco and Coos bay.
Fowler was thoroughly infatuated
with Mrs. Dodge, and continued his atten-
tionS. After year of married life Mrs.
Dodge left her husband and lived under
the protection of Fowler. Their rela-
tionS continued until January, when Fow-
Ter was financially embarrassed. Then
Mrs. Dodge thought it best to return
was effected and Captain and Mrs.
Dodge lived openly together at the Van
Ness house. Strange to say, that after
this Fowler still visited Mrs. Dodge.
When Fowler called upon Mrs. Dodge,
on the morning of his death, he seemed
all right, and treated her kindly, but all
of a sudden he changed, drew his pistol
time had come for them both to die. At
first Mrs. Dodge thought he was joking,
but the wild glare of his eyes indicated
that he was maniac and intended to do
the diabolic deed. Mrs. Dodge is little
woman, of little strength, and by no
means an athlete, but she had no desire
to be an angel and, nerved by
desperation, she frOze on to the
pistol TO prevent him using it and raised
pandemonium by her cries for help. Her
cries brought Mrs Ellsworth to the res
cue. The door was locked, hut Mrs. Els
worth pounded the door and insisted
upon admission to the room. Fowler an
swered "Oh you can come in if you like"
and pushed Mrs. Dodge from him. Mrs.
Dodge rushed to the door, expecting every
minute tC feel shot, unlocked it and
rushed into the hallway. Here, woman.
like, she tainted, and when she recovered
consciousness all danger was over, for the
wOuldbe murderer had suicded.
1t seems that when Mrs. Dodge went to
the door. Fowler passed through the pOr-
there's separating the parlOr from the bed
room.
As Mrs. Dodge tainted a boy came to
Mrs. Ellsworth and asked if Mr.. Fowler
was there. Being answered in the
affirmative he said please tell him his
mother wants him right away" 1t seems
Mrs Fowler had found the note intimat-
ing his intention to commit suicide, and
was trying to save him. just then grim
dismal answer came from the Dodge
rooms. 1t was loud report of a pistol.
Mrs. Ellsworth rushed in and found Fowler
lying on his back on the bed room floor.
A 80 calibre pistol in his right hand and
the scattered brains all around told their
own sad story. DrS. Phelan and Preston
were called but Fowler was then dead
and there is no doubt that his death was
instanteOuS.
The death is sad blow to Fowler's
loving mother, who has the sympathy Of
her many friends, and it is likely to cause
Mrs. Dodge considerable matrimonial
troubles, as her husband processes to be
ignorant of her continued intimacy with
Fowler.
John Fowler was only 80 years of age.
He was OF a genial and loving nature, and
of good character. There is no doubt
that financial reverSeS and his infatuatiOn
for Mrs. Dodge induced an insanity, that
was the cause OF this tragic event.