Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-03-20
FEUD CAUSED A MURDER.
Daniel Bowen on Trial for Killing
Wright Gillum-Dog Fight Start
ed Trouble.

BowLINe GREEN, Mo-, March 49,
The trial of Daniel Bowen, on the
charge of numbering Wright Glllum,
is in progress here.
Bowen is politician and business
man. The prosecution is backed by
Gillum's father, who is wealthy.
]. D. Hostetter, assistant prosecut-
ing attorney, is leading the prosecu-
tion, and is assisted by J. W. Jump,
prosecuting attorney; Erastus Pearson
former prosecuting attorney; former
Senator E. w. Major, T. B. McGinnis.
The lawyers for the defense are David
A. Ball, Samuel Sparrow and George
Emerson, former prosecuting attorney.
Bowen is Kentuckian and is So years
old. He came to Ashley seven miles
south of this town, 20 years ago and
started store. Shortly after Bowen
began business, Gillum started a rival
store.
One day a boy rushed into Bowens
store and told him that Mr.. Gillum
was helping his dog to whip Bowen's.
Bowen rushed out and kept Gillum
away until Bowen's dog had whipped
Gillum's.
Three years ago another Of Bowen's
dogs damaged some flour on the porch
of Gillum's store, and Gillum hurled
a missile at the animal Bowen ap-
peared and expressed the opinion that
the dog was better than Gillum. This
trivial matter famed the feud into
flame, and efforts to harass and at
tempts to kill followed each other
rapidly.
Gillum owned two store buildings,
between which was a vacant lot own
ed by another man, and across the end
OF which he built a sidewalk connect
ing his two buildings. Bowen leased
this lot, and, tearing away the side
walk built high fence inclosing the
lot. Into the inclosure he put geese
and pigs. In January, 1902, Bowen
went TO Gillums store looking for a
man for whom he had telephone
message. He opened the door and
said, SIS Wilhite here?n Gillum under
stood him to say, SIS Wright here?n
He seized his pistol and fired at Bowen,
Bowen had long beard, and one Of
the bullets cut out a tuft Of his
whiskers. Being unarmed Bowen ran.
Several months later Gillum went to
the blacksmith shop, and as he was re-
turning Bowen saw him at distance
and got his double barreled shotgun.
Coming onto the porch, he called
out for every one to stand aside, and
fired at Gillum. For fear Of injuring
his cow, which happened to be in line,
he aimed too high, and Gillum was
struck by only two stray shot, one
lodging in bis neck and the other
piercing Ms ear. Gillum was unarmed |
and started to run. Bowen attempted |
TO fire the other barrel at him, but |
the spring was weak and the cap
Then Bowen sent his gun to |
the gunsmith and had it repaired.
A warrant was sworn out for Bowen.
but he evaded the sheriff for nine DAYS. |
5illum decided to locate in Bowling
Green and left Ashley for a month or
more, but he was called back in
by the illness Of his wife.
A son was born to them, and he was
It home the day after his arrival,
when Bowen's opportunity came.
From a vacant granary across the
street he shot Gillum, who lived only
4 hours. His dying statement was
aiken and the prosecution hopes to
nave il admitted as evidence. In this
Gillum declares he was
hot from ambush and that he had
lever wanted to kill Bowen, but had
Icted always in self-defense. u