John M. Bower (1841 - 1870)

Born 1841 in Ohio, United States

Husband of Augusta (Wilmot) Bower — married 24 Nov 1867 in Geauga, Ohio, United States

Died 18 Sep 1870 at about age 29 in Ohio, United States

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Biography

John was born in 1841. He passed away in 1870.

Books

Service from The Story of a Thousand

John enlisted into Company I of the 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on August 11, 1862 at age 20 as Private. He was mustered out with the regiment at the end of the war. ^[1]

Newspapers

1862-Jun-18, “Western Reserve Chronicle”

Indictments. — ...

John M. Bower, Milo White and Carlton Hatch, for disturbing a religious meeting, in Mesopotamia. ^[2]

1870-Sep-28, “Western Reserve Chronicle”

Singular Death. - - Probably a Murder.

Concerning the supposed murder in Parkman, only very vague reports of which reached us last week, we have since received more definite information. On Sunday, the 18th inst., three men, John Bowers, Milo white and Eli Dayton, went to the woods on a hunting excursion. Bower and White were armed with guns, while Dayton accompanied them to carry the game &c.. I’m reaching the farm of Wm. Donelson, in the south east part of the township of Parkman, the parties concluded to separate to meet at another designated point, Bowers going to the right, and the others to the left. White and Dayton coming to the point of rendezvous, and not finding Bowers, continued their circuit about 20 rods further, when they came across his lifeless body, lying on its back. His gun was lying across one of his legs, and was loaded. And examination showed that the back part of his skull had been crushed in by some mysterious means. The tree under which he lay showed no evidence that he had climbed it and had fallen. Bowers is described as a man about 25 years of age — was married, but leaves no children. He had no regular occupation, and his life was spent in a somewhat easy manner. Milo White, formerly of Mesopotamia, but now of Geauga county, follows threshing, and is assisted by the young man Dayton, who belongs in Burton. These men immediately gave the alarm to the neighborhood, and a corner’s inquest was held, the verdict being death from an unknown cause. It is supposed that the Commissioners of Geauga county will offer over award for further information throwing light on this strange affair. It is very generally thought in the neighborhood that murder has been committed by some one. ^[3]

1870-Sep-29, “The Democratic Press”

TERRIBLE MURDER AT PARKMAN. — Last Sunday three men at Parkman, Geauga County, Ohio, by the name of Bower, White and Dayton, left their homes to spend the day in hunting. After reaching the woods, by agreement, they separated, to meet at a designated tree in the woods owned by Silas Evans. After some time had been spent in hunting about the woods until the time previously agreed upon, White and Dayton met at the place previously, where they found their companion of the early part of the day, John Bower, lying upon the ground with his gun in his hands, a pole over one of his legs and the other over the pole, and having the appearance of being dead. Upon examination it was found that the back part of his head had been smashed by some hard implement, probably a club. It was soon determined that some one had taken his life willfully, but for what cause it is to this time difficult to decide. So far a thorough investigation has resulted in finding no clue to the perpetrator of the crime, and the terrible deed remains a very mysterious affair. A reward of One thousand Dollars has been offered by the citizens of Parkman for the arrest and conviction of the criminal. ^[4]

1870-Oct-5, “Western Reserve Chronicle”

Milo White and Arthur Dayton have been arrested, charged with committing the murder of John Bowers, in Parkman on the 18th inst., an account of which we gave in last week’s issue. They had a hearing on last Saturday. Dayton was discharged, and White was bound over. ^[5]

1870-Oct-6, “The Democratic Press”

THE PARKMAN HOMICIDE. — Last week we mentioned the murder of John Bower, at Parkman, under very mysterious circumstances, so much so that it seemed impossible to suggest and particular person as the perpetrator. But within the last few days the circumstances of the case have been so far developed as to lead to the arrest of Milo White, and a young man by the name of Dayton, who accompanied Bower while hunting on the day he was killed. Yesterday they were brought before the Justice of the Peace of Chardon, for investigation, the results of which we have not yet learned. ^[6]

1871-Jan-26, “The Democratic Press”

INDICTED. — Milo White and ___ Dayton have been indicted by the Grand Jury of Geauga county for the murder of John Bower, at Parkman. It is expected that an adjourned session of the Court of Common Pleas will be held for their trial. ^[7]

1871-Apr-5, “Western Reserve Chronicle”

THE MURDER TRIAL AT CHARDON.

Milo White and Arthur Dayton Charged with Murder in the Second Degree.

The case of the State of Ohio against Milo White and Arthur Dayton, charged with murder in the second degree, is now pending in the Court of Common Pleas, at Chardon, Geauga Co., and has created considerable discussion and excitement throughout the county and vicinity, and would probably be a considerable interest to your readers as it happened in the township joining Trumbull and Portage counties, and as your readers had been apprised of the murder.

On Thursday, March 30, the trial commenced. The attendance, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, and the almost impassable roads, has been very great. As the readers of the Chronicle were made acquainted with the circumstances of the death of John Bowers at the time of its occurrence, a recapitulation will not be necessary.

THE COUNCIL.

Messrs. A. L. Tinker, M. C. Canfield, H. F. Canfield and O. S. Farr, appeared for the State; E. B. Taylor, Esq., of Warren, and G. H. Ford, of Burton, for the defence. Defence called for a separate trial of the prisoners and granted by the court.

The jury were shortly made up and accepted by defence and sworn, of which are the following:

B. W. Canfield,

B. W. Downing,

C. P. Brainerd,

J. T. Andrews,

C. C. Haynes,

J. Williams,

N. T. Marshall,

S. C. Mosher,

George Salter,

Stephen Mills, talesman,

Hiram Coville, talesman,

___ Johnson, talesman.

At the order of the Court the Prosecutor called inside of the bar the witnesses for the State; they were not all present, but the oath was administered to those who responded to their names.

THE PLAINTIFF’S STATEMENT.

A. L. Tinker then proceeded to make a plain statement of what the State expected to be able to prove. The indictment charged that on the 18th day of September, 1870, in the township of Parkman, county of Geauga, and State of Ohio, that Milo White did, willfully, maliciously and purposely, but without premeditation or deliberation, kill one John Bowers.

State claim that his death was caused by a stroke from his own gun, on the back of his head, in the hands of Milo White, and that they left for the woods at 9 o’clock, A. M., on the same day.

THE DEFENDANT.

E. B. Taylor, without entering into any particular minutiæ of the case, admitted that John Bowers was found dead in Parkman at the time stated, but utterly denied the charge made. Defendant claims that the boys left for the woods between 7 and 8 o’clock; furthermore that the boys held as prisoners are perfectly innocent concerning the death of John Bower, is there anyone in the court room. Also that there has been no murder, but an accident, that caused his death.

At the request of E. B. Taylor, Jonas Clark, one of the States’ witnesses, was excluded from the court room.

THE TESTIMONY.

Mrs. August Bowers — Am wife of Jno. Bowers; resided in Parkman village, Sept. 18, 1870; husband left home at 7 o’clock, A. M., after breakfast; it was Sunday, 18th of Sept.; he informed me where he was going; took with him powder; said he was going huntling; I know he took powder and shot; spoke to me at my house of his going hunting on Sunday, the Friday eve before. Did not see him alive after he left home to go hunting.

Cross-examined — Was married to Jno. Bowers three years the 24th of last Sept.; left my house after breakfast. I learned on Friday that he was going hunting on Sunday; he was in the habit of hunting on Sunday; was acquainted with White before marriage; White lived in Mesopotamia; White and John were on good terms; White was acquainted with John several years; think John left home at 7 o’clock; we were not in possession of a time piece; have not talked with any person about the time he left home; saw Prosecutor Farr last Friday, talked with my sister-in-law about time; don’t remember that I told the time at last fall trial; think it was between 6 and 7 I told last fall. I think now as I did last fall, that it was between six and 7 o’clock.

Re-direct examination— I have to guess at the time; husband told me he was going to White’s.

R. L. Blackmer, sworn — Live in Parkman; have lived there three years; am in the merchant trade; first heard of the occurrence on Sunday, at 3 1/2 P. M.; saw Bower on the morning of that day, about 7 o’clock; was in front store on corner, going toward cheese factory, direction of White’s house; no one was with him; know that it was that our from having taken notice to the clock; Bowers had traded with me at my store; White, also had traded with me; went over the hunting ground as far as the cleared field to the log; heard (W.) and Dayton testify before Coroner; he said Dayton, Bower and himself went to the woods together; said had shot three squirrels and two pigeons before they separated; then parted to travel around a cleared field in the woods; last saw of Bower threw up his hand as if he saw some game to shoot; in about half an hour heard a gun fired in the direction of Bower; White said when he found the body, “he is dead!” went within ten or fifteen feet of body; did not examine body; asked White why he did not go to the nearest house to give the alarm; think White did not answer; don’t recollect whether any other juror asked him; I asked him the question two or three times; Coroner let jurors ask most of the questions; jurors ask questions pretty generally.

Court adjourned till 1 1/2 o’clock, P. M.

R. L. Blackmer, re-called — White did reply to question why he did not go to nearest house, because better acquainted with John Moore; said he looked at body three or four minutes and ran to give alarm; went to Moore’s; no one being at home, then to Donaldson’s; found Charles Brown; he said, “You go back to body and I will give the neighbors the alarm.”

Cross-examined by E. B. Taylor – Did you ever have any consultation with any of the prosecutors? Don’t know; I think I have not. Do you remember all that White said. What amount of reward do you expect you are laboring for? Not one farthing. Are you acquainted with an assumed detective by the name of Franklin? Think not; don’t know. – Did not offer Franklin $800 of the reward if he would help in procuring the parties. Think I might have offered part of the reward to F. for apprehension of the guilty party. Saw Bowers on Sunday morning; did not arise till 7 o’clock; wife was on porch sweeping; I looked out of window, saw John Bower going towards cheese factory; judging from the time we had been up, think it was 7 o’clock. White said he found Bower lying on the ground, one foot on a pole some six or 8 inches from the ground, the other lying under; was partially on back. I think I was called to testify but once; don’t think I was called to testify three times; do not recollect. I cut up the root at the suggestion of Farr or Canfield, don’t recollect which; did not know what root was for; think W. Moore or W. Hatch was present when I sawed the root; don’t recollect which; root six or eight inches from pool of blood; was no blood on it; root at highest point from ground three-fourths of an inch.

M. L. Maynard, sworn – Am County Surveyor. The map I have in my hand, I made 24th of March, 1871, after the survey of the grounds. W. White, J. Nash, A. Reed, and O. Maynard assisted in the survey. Map produced in court is perfect. Quite a thicket between where they separated and where the body was found.

Cross-examined – Made survey March 22. H. F. Canfield solicited me to make survey, probably for the benefit of each party. White showed us the way willingly the whole rounds made the distance from Bower’s to White’s house by the road, four and three-eighths miles. Measured the farther road because it was the most traveled; distance across the lots, three and one-half miles.

Jane Blackmer, wife of R.. L. Blackmer — Reside in Parkman; heard the clock strikes 7 before arising; after dressing commenced sweeping; swept sitting and bed room; was sweeping off porch when Bower went by.

Cross-examined – Did not testify before Justice; did not testify before grand jury; did not, at the time, think that it would be important to testify to the time; Farr asked me about the time; stated that it would be important for me to testify to time; I took particular notice of Bower this Sunday; heard the report about John Bower in the afternoon.

Eliza Bundy, sworn – Lived in Parkman village four years this spring; live with Joseph Bundy, but a short distance from Blackmer’s, on same side of street. Mrs. B, my sister, had made arrangement that I should get breakfast for them Sunday. Went to B., about three-fourths of an hour after arriving, think it was twenty minutes past 6 o’clock when I arose. When I arrived at Mrs. Blackmer’s she was dressing.

John Thorpe, sworn — Reside in western part of Parkman; reside from Evan’s One-fourth mile west and south; between 12 and 1 o’clock I was informed by a neighbor’s boy of Bower’s death; saw White and Dayton returning to the body; overtook them; was among the first to get to the body; White was at right of body; my brother said, here is the body; White was two rods from body; do not recollect what was said, except I said, do not disturb the body; he lay partly on back and right side, left foot on pole right under; head lay over back, chin thrown up; both feet turned toward right; pole from four to six inches from ground, three inches in diameter; at 10 1/2 o’clock I heard three or four reports of gun; was at home Sunday morning; Friends at my house visiting; gun lay across thigh; right hand near breach of gun; blood from nose run down side of face; had been at body one or one and one-half hours when White or Dayton left to go home to get something to eat, had not eaten anything since breakfast; they remained at the body, G. Gillmore, W. Thorpe and myself; White and Dayton work on about one hour; distance from body to White’s house, one mile; went home when they came; did not see the body again that day; there were spatters of blood on the gun from top of stock to breach. White did not at any time express an opinion as regards the death of Bower.

Cross-examined. Live on south side of road — body found nearly north of east, where I live; was not acquainted with Dayton but a few days previous to the occurrence; I heard firing that day; think about 10 1/2 o’clock; between twelve and one – first time I heard of death of Bowers; found no marks on leaves that would indicate a struggle; thought at times he was shot in mouth and charge had gone through head; we were waiting all of this time for the Coroner. – I did not kill Bowers; I did go home to get something to eat; there was blood from his ears; saw no mass of blood at any other place than under his head; did not raise his head, consequently did not take notice of root; I climb the small iron-wood tree part way to the limb, 25 feet from the ground.

Charles Brown sworn. – 18th day of Sept., was in Parkman; first saw White that day about 12 o’clock; first I saw of the boys I was in the sitting room in company with young lady; boys asken where are the men? White wanted to get help said there was a body in the woods, dead; told girl to ask who it was; reply, John Bowers – I said you go back, I will go to Moore’s; they returned. Mrs. Moore called the boys downstairs. – I. Moore and myself then started for the woods; when within two rods of body, White said he is around here somewhere; Dayton says yes; Thorpe was first to find him; said here he is. We looked in his mouth, thought he had shot himself; I and Thorpe then went to Parkman village for Coroner; found the body on back; left foot on pole; elbow to right arm, partly under body; head was up; eyes open; gun across body; muzzle toward feet. I was first one to touch the gun, put the rod down the gun; found it was loaded; this was after return from village; saw on the gun what I thought was brains, about the size of a pea; there was blood mixed with it; blood ran from each side of mouth. Arrived at village about 2 p. m. Watterman‘s team went into the woods, took the body up to the village; think about 4 p. m.

Cross–examined – did not go out ‘till boys told girl it was John Bowers; I thought, till further examination, as did the rest, that he was shot in the mouth; gun was put in the wagon by the side of the corpse, and remained until we got to the village; I’m not sure the piece on gun was brain; never saw any before until that day.

Charles Thorpe sworn — live in Parkman; was at home Sunday 18th, Sept., 1870; live with brother; I Moore was the first one to notify me of the death of John Bower; I saw the body first; when first saw the body was then one or two rods off; left foot on pole; right under; his chin was highest part of face; gun lay on lap; looked in mouth; concluded he had shot himself; did not touch the body; blood in his mouth; could see most of the roof of his mouth; there was quite a pool of blood under head; we did not raise his head; saw some spiders of blood on the gun two-thirds the length of barrel from breach; remained at body a few moments, then went with Brown to village; drove team nearly to the body.

Cross–examined – Do not remember of seeing any large oak tree near; did not handle gun. Watterman took cap off the gun.

CAUTION TO THE JURY.

Judge Chaffee gave the caution to the jury in regard to abstaining from communicating with any person whatever, or allowing any person to communicate to them in relation to the case on trial, at regards any of its phases; and should any person approach you with any such communication or give signs, or convey in any manner, report him to the court.

Adjourned until 8 a. m., Friday. ^[8]

1871-Apr-13, “The Democratic Press”

The trial of Milo White, charged with murder in the second degree for the killing of John Bower, at Parkman, last September, was tried in the Court of Common Pleas at Chardon last week, resulting in the acquittal of the defendant. ^[9]

1871-Apr-15, “Ashtabula Weekly Telegraph”

The murder trial in Geauga, resulted in the acquital of the accused; after a thorough and full investigation though no explanation of the case was developed beyond the statement of the defendants. The story of the case is, that Milo White and Arthur Dayton went into the woods, in Parkman in company with John Bowers, who they say became separated from them, and later in the day they found him dead lying up on his back with a fracture of the back part of the skull. They were accused of killing him, but on trial were pronounced not guilty.^[10]

1871-Apr-19, “Western Reserve Chronicle”

In the case of the State vs. Milo White, in the Parkman murder, tried in Geauga Common Pleas, the verdict of the jury was, “not guilty.” The indictment against Arthur Dayton was nollied. ^[11]

1871-Jul-6, “The Democratic Press”

We are in formed by what we believe to be a reliable authority, that the citizens of Parkman, together with the friends of the deceased have exhumed the body of Bower for whose murder Milo White was tried and acquitted a few months since. A careful examination by several medical gentleman of respectability reveals the fact that the deceased was shot in the back of the head, the ball being found near the roof of the mouth. If this be the case there can be no longer be any doubt that a murder was committed. Rumor says that parties are already under arrest, but we are on able to retrace them to a reliable source. - Garrettsville Journal. ^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ The Story of a Thousand by Albion Winegar Tourgée, Appendices, published by S. McGerald & Son, 1896
2. ↑ “Western Reserve Chronicle”, (Warren, Ohio), 1862-Jun-18, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36014887/western_reserve_chronicle/
3. ↑ “Western Reserve Chronicle”, (Warren, Ohio), 1870-Sep-28, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36055928/western_reserve_chronicle/
4. ↑ “The Democratic Press“, (Ravenna, Ohio), 1870-Sep-29, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36015414/the_democratic_press/
5. ↑ “Western Reserve Chronicle”, (Warren, Ohio), 1870-Oct-5, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36056353/western_reserve_chronicle/
6. ↑ ”The Democratic Press”, (Ravenna, Ohio), 1870-Oct-6, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36016209/the_democratic_press/
7. ↑ ” The Democratic Press”, (Ravenna, Ohio), 1871-Jan-26, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36016517/the_democratic_press/
8. ↑ ”Western Reserve Chronicle”, (Warren, Ohio), 1871-Apr-5, page 2, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36016713/western_reserve_chronicle/
9. ↑ ”The Democratic Press”, (Ravenna, Ohio), 1871-Apr-13, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36055835/the_democratic_press/
10. ↑ ”Ashtabula Weekly Telegraph”, (Ashtabula, Ohio), 1871-Apr-15, page 2, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36056410/ashtabula_weekly_telegraph/
11. ↑ ”Western Reserve Chronicle”, (Warren, Ohio), 1871-Apr-19, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36056473/western_reserve_chronicle/
12. ↑ “The Democratic Press”, (Ravenna, Ohio), 1871-Jul-6, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36056530/the_democratic_press/

Census

"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX3C-5GX : 12 April 2016), John M Bowers in household of Andrew Bowers, Mesopotamia, Trumbull, Ohio, United States; citing family 650, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCGB-BQW : 13 December 2017), John Bower in entry for Andrew Bower, 1860.

"United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M627-G74 : 14 June 2019), John Bower, 1870.

Marriage

"Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZCP-362 : 26 August 2019), J.M. Bower and Augusta Wilmot, 24 Nov 1867; citing Marriage, Geauga, Ohio, United States, pg 247, Franklin County Genealogical & Historical Society, Columbus; FHL microfilm.

Military

"United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FS6H-5T5 : 4 December 2014), John M. Bower, Private, Company I, 105th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, Union; citing NARA microfilm publication M552 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 10; FHL microfilm 882,223.

Death

Find A Grave: Memorial #38150168