Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1921-04-27
MICHAEL I.>DOWIlNC
HAS PASSED AWAY
Distinguished Oivian Made Sue
ce.. in Life in Spite Of
:. =: Handicaps

Hon: Michael ]. Bowling, well known
citizen of Minnesota, resident of Oil
via, ded Monday at St. Luke's Hospi-
tai at Minneapolis. He was stricken
with apoplexy following collapse
which came two weeks ago at Olivia
on Mr.. Dowling's return from an ex-
hausting lecture tour. Mr.. Bowling
was intimately known by many of the
ty who came in contact with him at
Olivia, and is we'll known generally by
everybody in this part of Minnesota.
The funeral takes place at Olivia
Thursday afternoon. Large delega-
tiens from the twin cities and other
parts of the state are expected to be
present.
Michael John Bowling was born at
Huntington, Mass, Feb. II, 1866. His
mother died when he was ten years Of
age, and with his father he went to
the Great West, staying in St. Louis
and later Chicago.
He had an ambition to become a
cowboy and broke loose from his ia
Their and came to Minnesota to work
as farm hand and COW herder. In the
fall of 1880 he met with the misfor-
tune that made a unique figure and
re-shaped his life. He got together a
herd of between 500 and 900 cattle
which he was to care for during the
season at $3.50 a head. This was his
chance to make a stake. The day be-
fore he was to turn his herd over to
their respective owners, Oct. ID, a
rainstorm set in which turned to
sleet. The sleet and the frozen
breath of the cattle rapidly formed a
mask over their heads which if let
alone would have suffocated them to
death. But mike" went among them
for 4S hours, knocking the ice from
the faces of the cattle and saved ev-
cry one. Other herders lost heavily.
Caught in Snowstorm
1t was his love for animals that re-
suited indirectly in the loss Of his
limbs. Having by this time lost all
track of his father the boy lavished all
his affections on the pony he had pur-
chased. Being, DESTROYS of gaining
more education he arranged to board
his pony at farmers nine miles away
and one December day arrived to Wis
it the pony before starting to school.
Two farmers were~to make the trip
and he arranged to accompany them
in their lumber wagon. When the
party had gone several miles a storm
overlook them. Knowing their dan
ger they whipped the team up and
raced for shelter. They were envel-
oped in the whipping maelstrom and
the wagon struck bump which threw
young Bowling out.
His absence was not known and he
was left to make his way as best he
could. Soon he found a woodpile.
KNOWING There uuSL D0 d uOuSO Hear
he climbed to the top and threw stick
after stick as far as he could in a
circle trying to hit the house. Failing
in this, he took an armful of wood
and walked about so PAGES from the
pile and repeated the process. Then
he lost the woodpile. Wandering blind
ly, he pumped into a straw pile and
realizing this was his last chance
crawled into it: There he remained
battling against. the fatal sleep OF
chill until the next day. He crawled
out and discovered his legs and arms
were frozen, and crawled half a mile
to the farmhouse.
Legs and One Arm Amputated
A physician was hastily called and
after treatment had been given it was
found necessary to amputate both
legs below the knee and one. arm be-
14I arm DIl fi