Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-10-09
Vinton Man Murdered in Mime
apolis General Favorite
Among Newspaper Men
ALSO PROMINENT POLITICIAN
A Close Friend Of Senator Washburn
and Other Politicians - Always
"Boosted" tho "cub" and Was En-
deared to All "The Boys" in Mime
apoIis-Known to Theatrical World.
necial 70 Times-Republlcan.

Special TO Times Republican.
Vinton Oct. !.-The news OF the
murder of William A. Dowell, of this
city, in Minneapolis, where Dowell has
been employed on the Minneapolis
Tribune, caused profound sensation
here, where the man was well known.
Dowell's wife and a daughter. the lat
ter blind reside here. Dowells friends
here know Of his popularity In the
Twin Cities and declare that no news
paper man in Minneapolis was more
beloved than he.
Billy Dowell was 81 years old and
had been a Twin City newspaper re-
porter for Il number OF years. Few
newspaper men had a more Intimate
acquaintance with the big men of Min
neapolis than he. He was OF striking
appearance, clever reporter and
withal regarded among his craft as
good fellow.
Had Politicians Guessing.
Among his intimates he was called
Judge Dowell. Before entering the
secretary for some years to former Su
perintendent G. III. Prior. of the Mil
waukee railroad, and was a fast short
| hand man and one Of the fast type
writer operators, who worked on Twin
City newspapers.
For a time following the elevation
of James Gray from the post of city
editor of the now defunct Minneapolis
Times to the mayoralty of that city,
Dowell acted as city editor and the
editorial columns fairly bristled with
his wit, humOr, sarcasm and pathos
He was newspaper man Of original
ideas, and during his incumbency as
city editor he ground out copy for a
column which, he headed, ION Mon
day." "On a Tuesday" ETC., which
| chronicled the events in the lives of
men, the doings in the city and it's
| commercial, social and industrial and
political life. During the Eustis-Lind
| fight for the goyernorship Dowell's
column was widely read.
Was Friend of tho Cub"
One thing which endeared Billy
! Dowell to many of the younger news
paper men, as they are likewise en-
| deared to Joe Mannix, another veteran
reporter of that city, was the willing
ness which he always displayed in Civ
| ing the cub reporter boost. He adj
mired "cuoy who came to him for
help, and in short time gave the new
reporter more valuable tips as to the
| correct way of putting up news story
than he could get in year of his own
effort
aBilly" Dowell was close personal
friend of United States Senator w. D.
Washburn. OF Minnesota, and when the
! senator retired from his high office the
same friendship which he held for the
unfortunate newspaper man, who met
such a tragic cath, continued after
| ward. Dowell. with all his virtues as a
| newspaper man. had his faults, but his
good qualities outshone these among
| those who knew him best
Was Trusted Man.
| For about year, some three or four
wears aeo, he temporarily abandoned
newspaper work and became private
secretary to w. d. Washburn. who is
| heavily interested in the 500 Line rail-
| way, and in Dakota ignite coal fields.
Dowel was also a close and intimate
| friend Of Colonel Thomas Lowry, presi-