The true Democrat., 1901-03-09
DIED.

In Washington, d. c., Suddenly On
Saturday March 2,,19OI, 5sp. H., Root
Bowman Matthews.
Robert Bowman Matthews. was born III
New Orleans, Oct 8, 1882 His father
was w. hatthews,a at one time abank-
in New Orleans, and whose father be-
fore him had been a banker. Leaving
tho banking business, hr. Matthews be-
came connected with the Sun Insurance
Company and later moved to this parish,
where the family owned an old home
stead. near Bayou Sara, Here he engag-
ed in planting, and in this beautiful
section young Matthews was reared to
manhood. His mother was Miss Isabel
Bowman before her marriage, sister OF
Mr.. JAS. ?. Bowman. The family mad
Influential connections in varions parts,
of the State, and is closely related to
some of The best families in New Orleans.
Part Of Bowman Matthews education
was obtained in New OrleaEs, and then
he took the preparatory e.at Staun-
ton University. Later he entered the
Virginia Military Institute, from which
lie graduated. He returned to AeW
Orleans, and in the year 1873 became a
/, porter on the Picayuno. Almost inn
mediatcly his talent for the business of
news getting was made manifest. He
was an expert stenographer, and this
accomplishment facilitated him greatly
in his profession. His easy manner and
high sense of honor ingratiated him in
the esteem of the public men of the day,
and he became the political reporter Of
the paper. When the white people de-
| termined to strike definite blow at ne
gro domination and tyrauuical rule in
1874, and the White League was Organiz-
ed he was among the original members.
When the Potter congressional COM
mittc1 came here to investigate the stu.
ati IN he was in constant attendance on
its sessions and wrote the best record Of
| it's deliberations and the testimony adj
duced before it that was Published.
" Some time after this he was promoted
to the city editors chair, and held it
until 1880, when he resigned to return
to the freer life of the reporter. He
worked "on the Streets" handling many
of the big local events. and reporting the
sessions of the Legislature until 1883,
when Gen Gibson was elected to the
United States Senate, Gen. Gibson held
him iu very high regard, and offered him
tue post of private secretary, which he
accepted, and went to Washington, be-
coming at the same time Washington
correspondent for the Pieayune. He
served Gen. Gibson until the latter's
death and then served Senator White IL
the same capacity until his appointment
on the United States Supreme bench,
When Senator Caffery became Senator
Mr.. Matthews acted as his secretary for
several months.
About nine years ago he took up the
study Of law, and graduated from Colum
bia College, and soon had built up g
GOOD practice, Then he married Miss
Rosalie Lloyd Bradford, daughter of The
late Can't. Bradford of the United States
coast survey.
In the olden days in New Orleans ht
was one of the best athletes III the city
He was fond of society, snd figutet
conspicuously in its best circles as Ions
as lie was in New Orleans. As Il write1
Mr.. Matthews was gifted. He could re
late facts tersely and clearly, and hi
facts wero always to be relied on. Whel
the occasion demanded he could CLOTH
his story in the choicest and most bean
tiful English. He could writc fictiol
with the same ease and grace, and man.
+ ssrticles and stories from his pen fonn'
their way into tns nricayune and into ~ y,
high class magazines. His connectio!
with the Picayune had lasted tWonty
eight years.
He lsayes lis wife and two children
: Resale aud Bowman, and byothar DR.
". ". Aiatthows, who lives IN Wash
ington, and ardthor kratheg Leonar,
Matthews of New Orleans, CONNECTED
with the Sun Insurance Company;
sister, Mrs, James Edward keoler, live
in San Francisco, and two others, Mis-
Lucy l.. Matthews and Miss Ida S
| I,,,o ~, ILL