Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-08-03
Madison, August >.

huuISOl, AUS uSl
+. L. Gilbert, of the firm OF Gilbert
& Jackson, who represents the receiver
of the estate of Charles Bowar, the Mt.
Horeb embezzler, has just returned
from Texas with the assurance that
creditors of Bowar will be able, in a
large measure, to recover what they
lost through his peculation.
The early history OF this case caused
considerable scandal in the surround
ing country and will be easily recalled.
For some time before last fall Charles
Bowar, a Mt. Horeb stock buyer and
dealer in agricultural implements, had
been in the habit of purchasing stock
with money advanced 10 him by the
Mt. Horeb bank, taking his animals
down to Chicago, selling them there,
and renting payment to the bank by
draft. Financial difficulties crowded
upon him and, awaiting himself of his
extensive credit and excellent reputa-
ton, he borrowed money right and
left. The time finally came, however,
when evasion was no longer possible,
and then he played strong card from
his sleeve and decided to quit the game.
Getting the bank to advance him about
$1,000 on three carloads of stock, he
left with his servant, Annie kelliher,
for Chicago, where he sold his cattle,
and then completely disappeared from
the ken of his family and acquaint-
ances. Search was instituted and he
was finally located in Port Arthur,
Texas, living under the alias of Charles
Meyer. Here he had bought a good
lot and erected on it saloon and
gambling house.
In the meantime Bowar's Wisconsin
creditors had had him declared an in
voluntary bankrupt, and Henry L.,
DAZZLE of Mt. Horeb was appointed re-
ceiver. Mr. DAZZLE, 1t appears, urged
him to return and Bowar suddenly
turned up one day with the explana-
ton that he had been robbed in Chi
cago. A love feast was made for Mt.
HoreEos prodigal son, which the guest
of honor enjoyed to the full while the
good cheer lasted and then repeated his
disappearing specially and resorted
once more to Port Arthur.
While he was resuming his honors as
prominent citizen of Texas a sheriff
appeared on the scene with an attach
ment on Bowar's bar goods. j. c. Rey-
nolds, crafty member of the bar of
Port Arthur, who knew that Bowar
was a fugitive, made him think this
officer was from Wisconsin with war
rant to arrest him for embezzlement,
and, by thus frightening him, induced
him to deed over his property to ]. c.
Reynolds for the nominal considera-
ton of 81 900, though, actually, as Mr.
Gilbert discovered, only 500 changed
hands. Bowar complied with Rey-
nolds' wish and then fled during the
night to elude the sheriff, leaving Annie
Kelliher and her 2-day-old child utterly
destitute and dependent on charity, IN
which state they are now existing in
Port Arthur. Reynolds in turn decided
the property to Keith, druggist, who
would presumably be a purchaser in
good faith; the consideration being
nominally 81 ,S00, but again Mr.. Gilbert
finds that only $3.50 was paid over.
Bowar's bar fixtures and personal
property have been recovered and all
that now remains TO be done is to get
a clear title to the real estate for the
receiver. This will be a merely formal
proceeding, since Mr.. Gilbert has so
tied up the property as to make its
manipulation by Reynolds or Others
impossible. Proceedings have already
been begun to set aside the fraudulent
conveyances. The property is said TO
be worth $4,000 or about as much as
Bowar absconded with. 1t is reported
that Bowar, under the alias of John
Smith, is now living with his wife and
six children in St. Joseph, Mo.