Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-11-28
PASSING PIONEERS


Juan are passing from the stage of
human action to that bourne from
which none have returned. The bur.
ial OF Judge w. r. Bowman at Farm
| ington yesterday is the last chapter
in the life OF a broad minded man of
great generous heart who made his
little part of the world better for liv-
ing in it. The writer did know Judge
Bowman in his earliest days in the
west. in 1861, when the Union Pacific
railway was building across the great
plains. At that time he was ranching
and fighting Indians when he was
haying, in the northern part of Colo
rado and Wyoming,
Educated for the law when Judge
Bowman came west he found better
opportunities in other pursuits. and
he was one of those men who do not
wait too long for single opportunity,
During his life in the west he was en-
gagged in many enterprises. including
mining and the mercantile business.
When he met the accident whicn re.
suited in his death he had been en-
gagged in the lumber manufacturing
business for nearly two years. about
ten miles distant from Durango. and
was associated with his brother Alex,
in the mercantile business at Farming
ton. New Mexico. Something hap
pened to the carriage he was driving
and the team became unmanageable.
and he was thrown to the ground,
Added to his injuries he contracted
pneumonia and was beyond medical
skill when his condition was learned.
Born in Michigan Ga years ago, his
boyhood days were blessed with
more than ordinary educational ad-
vantages. After coming west he
lived in Nebraska few years
When he came to the San Juan in 1875
the writer accompanied him to San
Juan county, and was associated
with him in mining and prospecting
and the pursuits that were presented
at that early day in Silverton's noun
tains. When men camp together in
cabins or with but the protection of
the foliage of pine tree. here TO-DAY
and there tomorrow, wandering
| about climbing and tugging till their
very souls are weary, in the struggle
to better their conditions they have
rare opportunity to learn each other,
and the writer learned well the char
| acteristics which made w II. Bow
man one of Gods noblemen. When
he was in the mercantile business at
Animas Forks, II he ever wanted to.
he never turned away prospector
or any poor fellow who applied for
for credit or aid They all knew
Bowman would help them. and many
were loyal in paying If he lost any
thing he said nothing about it. He
| went out on the theory that all men
are honest, and he probably could
not have succeeded better than he
did II he had believed all men dis
honest. Though his liberal
policy must have sustained many
losses he left as his share consider
able of the worlds goods. He and
his brother Alex, worked together in
their enterprises and put the pro-
ceeds into one pile, helping themsel
YES when they needed a part never
accounting. asking or answering any
questions. They kept no books be-
tween themselves. IF one had an
enterprise which needed temporary
assistance, aid was found in the en-
enterprise of the other, and this man
ner of doing business in this day and
age, though between two brothers.
suggests that men of the modern
day may extend their condolences to
each other. Another brother Charles,
has been associated with them. much
in the same manner J. G. Bowman
OF Gladstone, is a brother. and Clint
Bowman OF Silverton. is a nephew.
They attended the funeral services
at Pennington Monday.
Judge Bowman was elected and
served one term as county Judge of
San Juan county. at Silverton. and
his administration was praised by
attorneys and litigants We all re-
gret the departure OF our friends.
and we miss them more when they
have been more like our brothers.
Lives so useful, so just and generous
as that of Judge Bowman we are re-
luctant to lose, and sometimes we
pause to wonder who will fill their
places Peace to the ashes OF just
and peace loving man whose friends
are counted by the number who knew
| him. 8. w. RAYMOND.