Bridgeton pioneer., 1899-11-23
BOWERS SHOT TO KILL.


William Fowler and james Bowers
Quarrel and the Latter Shoots
Fowler in the Neck.
The life Of William Fowler, young
man. Eagle street, hangs upon slender
thread. His chances of recovery are as
one in ten, and if he should die, his club
mate and friend, James Bowers, a young
man of about the same age, would be ar
raigned before the court upon the awful
charge of murder.
Up on Grant street Saturday night there
was social gathering of young men and
women. 1t was at the home of Proctor
Blair, and during the early hours of
the evening the fun reigned fast and
furious There was singing, all sorts of
games, while quick music upon the
violin furnished enthusiasm, and guam
titles of the ardent. the inspiration for the
dance.
About half past ten o'clock, as the story
goes. some of the young fellows went out
into the air, among them being William
Fowler and James Bowers. The two
were bosom friends, both young men and
both generally we'll known among a
large circle of friends.
Fowlers drink had taken effect, He
was boisterous and quarrelson1e, and
seemed anxious to get into personal
mix-up with some one. He is power
full fellow, more than six feet in height,
and as strong as two young men of his
years. Those who were with him tried
to quiet him, Bowers among the rest.
With more profanity than sounded
well, Fowler declared he could click any
bunch of people about" and personally
addressing Bowers made threatening
remark. Bowers demonstrated with him,
and some of the eye witnesses declare
that Fowler struck Bowers; others say
that Bowers was knock ed down-certain
it was that he was struck.
Scarcely had the blow been received
before pistol shot rang out on the air,
and Fowler staggered back against the
fence, while blood streamed from an ugly
wound in the neck Some CT the horri-
fed by-standers say that the revolver
was snapped four times, but did not
again explode.
From the further telling of the story It
learned that Bowers realizing his awful
act ran down through the back yard, and
escaped in the darkness. Fowler was as
sisted by his friends and walked to the
Office of DIR. George A. Harris. I'm
msdiately realizing the seriousness of the
wound, DIR. Harris drove young Fowler
to the Office of DIR. Theo. G. Davis.
Fowler did not once lose consciousness,
and the shock did not seem to sober him.
The physicians found that the bullet from
thirty two calibre revolver had entered
the fellows neck, just above the breast
bone, and below the Adams apple. The
bullet just passed the juggler vein.
1t was impossible to probe for the
bullet, and the physicians made no at
tempt to locate it. DR.. Davis said the
wound was the most dangerous he had
ever been called upon to examine and
expressed the greatest surprise that
Fowler was not killed out right.
Officer John Woodruff and Fred Barton
Immediately took up the case. Officer
Woodruff visited DIR. Davis office, and
asked Fowler who had done the shooting
He would not say. Finally Officer Wood
ruff said, "Bill know who did this ?"
''Who ?" asked Fowler.
"Jim Bowers" replied the policeman.
"You'll have to guess again." said
Fowler, and smiled.
He finally acknowledged that Bowers
had committed the deed.
Later the officers were after Bowers
and while they were just behind him
much of the time, they could not get
hands upon him. About three O'Clock
in company with his Counsel Samuel
Iredell Bowers surrendered aud was
locked up in the station house.
Early Sunday morning Mayor Appel
Committed Bowers to Jail in default ol
bail to await the result of the injuries OF
Fowler. Counsellor Iredell warned
Bowers not to talk about the matter, and
the young man would not open his mouth
afterward. He, of course, makes nc
denial of the shooting.
All day Sunday Fowler was at his
home on Eagle street. His physicians
refused to allow anybody to see him an6
the young man was not permitted to talk
He was very weak all day, and las
night complained of serious soreness
about the wound. His face is haggar6
and wan, and yet the young man is in the
best of spirits and does not seem to rea.
ize the gravity of his condition.
Monday, Proctor Blair and Maggie
!, Carr, were arrested, charged with keep
ing disorderly house. They waived {
hearing and were held for Court. 1t wal
at their house the affray took place.
Bismarck's Iron Nerve
Was the result of his splendid health
TpdDro;tohIo mill opd tropno non1Ous onaruv