The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1917-04-18
WILLIAM M.
BOWMAN
Prominent Citizen SWdl-
IOUS CarbOiC Acid and
Dies in Presence of
Wife andDdughter

Mr.. William VI. Bowman, one of
our prominent citizens and business
men, took a two ounce vial of carbOlic
acid at his home at the corner of
Moberley avenue and Third street,
Saturday night and died in the pres
ence of his wife and daughter few
moments later.
At half past eight o'clock Mr.. Bow
man called at the drug store of H. L.
Perry & Son and bought two ounces
of carbolic acid, stating at the time
he had a crippled mule and wanted
the acid to burn out the wound in the
hoof. He got shaved at one of the
barber shops and went home about
ten o'clock. When he arrived at home
he conversed with his wife, and in the
course of his remarks he said: "Well,
Talt beat me bidding on that contract.
| don't see how he did. | bid as low
as could afford to take it, but he got
it, and it is all right" He had refer
ence to the new library building that
is to be constructed at the Normal
School.
He then got some paper, and after
some figuring and writing, he arose
and left the room, and his wife think
ing he was going back up town to the
garage, arose and locked the door.
He walked a short distance to the
corner, where two men were standing,
and conversed briefly with them.
Then he returned to the house. When
his wife admitted him, he walked
through the family room into the din
ing room, and before they ever sus-
pected him of committing the rash
act, he returned and extended his
hand to his wife and bade her good
bye.
Then she detected the carbolic acid
She told her daughter to get some
sweet milk, and he said: at is no
use. l won't take it." Turning to
his daughter, Miss Florentine, he
said: "Be good girl" He then ex-
pired in the twinkling of an eye.
Since the untimely death of Mr..
Bowman, all sorts of rumors have
oeef afioat. But none of them can be
verified. He was one of the leading
business men of Richmond. He was
the senior member of the firm of
Bowman Brothers, dealers and con-
tractors in builders supplies, being
one of the largest contracting firms
in the city. This firm is perfectly
solvent, and the business will be con-
tinued under the firm name He was
also a member of the firm of Bowman
& Conn, agents for the Dodge and
Case automobiles and auto accessor-
les and supplies.
He was the eldest son of Mr.. Jones
Bowman, and was fifty-one years of
age January "a, 1917. He was
moral and upright citizen, a hard
working, conscientious man. He was
ever ready to help those in need and
stood with outstretched hand and
purse to assist in any worthy cause.
He was a member of the Odd Eel
lows and Knights of Pythias Lodges,
of this city, and a member of the
Baptist church. His home life seemed
to be ideal, and no cause can be as
signed for his act, unless it was due
to a state of mental alteration incl
dent to business worries.
Deceased is survived by his wife,
three daughters, father, three sisters,
and two brothers, all of whom have
much sympathy in the untimely death
of their loved one-this splendid citi-
zen.
Funeral services were held in the
Baptist church, this city, Tuesday
morning at 1890 o'clock, the services
being conducted by Rev. B. f. Petty.
The burial was in the Richmond ce,n-
etery, with appropriate services at
the grave by the local lodges of Odd
Fellows and Knights of Pythian. The
grave was strewn with choice flowers.
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