FOWLER TRIBUNE FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1899 (John M. Bohannon was murdered by his sons. The article can be obtained by contacting the webmaster)
JOHN MILTON BOHANNON was born in Kentucky in the neighborhood
of Caseyville, in May of the year 1843 and would have been 56
years old sometime this month. He was married in Kentucky where
part of his family was born. Afterward he moved to Missouri,
where he lived fifteen years. About twelve years ago he came with
his family to Pueblo, Co., where he has made his home until the
death of his wife, in January 1896.
Mr. Bohannon was the father of ten children-seven sons and
three daughters. All of the daughters and three sons died in
infancy or early childhood. Four sons are now living. E. W.
Bohannon, married and living at Pueblo, Co., J. W. Bohannon who
is married and lives in Salem, Mo., Frank Bohannon and Robert Lee
Bohannon, single men, who came to Fowler with their father
about one year ago, and engaged with him in the business of
contracting and building.
The son E. W. Bohannon of Pueblo was present at the funeral
service.
Mr. Bohannon was well and favorbly known in Fowler. He was
honorable in business, kind in speech, courteous in manner. He
was pre-eminently the children's friend. He seemed to have a
tender place in his heart for any child in the community and was
never so happy as when in their presence and making them happy
with words and gifts.
From personal conversations and observation we know Mr.
Bohannon to have been a man of prayer and Christian faith and
always understood that he held fellowship with the Christian
Church of Pueblo.
Mr. Bohannon came to his death violently, on Saturday, May
6, 1899 about 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Bohannon was a member in good standing of the A.O.W. of
Salem, Mo., which order fraternally carried the burial of the
body. The interment was in Fowler cemetery.
Kenneth Money Pastor
FOWLER TRIBUNE May 19, 1899
Bohannon Brothers' Preliminary Trial
For the Murder of Their Father Held in Fowler
Last Saturday Morning
The early passenger train from La Junta last Saturday
morning brought two noted prisoners, Frank and Lee Bohannon, back
to the place of their crime, where they were arraigned before
Judge Fosdic, District Attorney Sabin appearing for the
prosecution, and 0. H. Hess for the defense.
Upon motion of the prosecuting attorney the persons were
dismissed as to the first complaint and rearrested upon charges
of wilful murder, as sworn to by Sheriff Barr.
The state offered but very little testimony, it being the
evident plan of both prosecution and defense to save their
important evidence for the District Court. C. A. steven's, Fred Gilbert, Dr. Reed, J. E. Furna's, w. C. Brown and Sheriff Barr in behalf of the State, the defense placing no witness upon the stand. The court held both prisoners to the District Court without bail, which will convene in November.
The comment of both met with universal approval by our
citizens, as the general opinion prevails that the younger
brother is equally guilty with Frank, and that probably he was
the instigator of the awful tragedy.
Sheriff Barr, with full knowledge of the desperate character
of the two criminals under his charge, took every precaution
necessary that there could be no possible avenue of escape both
being heavenly ironed and shackled together. Further than this
the official knowing the unparalled crime which had been
committed in our quiet and peaceful town and the natural feeling
of abhorrence which would follow, saw the possible necessity of
throwing a safeguard about the prisoners as a protection from
violence, and had arranged that himself and Undersheriff Stewart
should be joined upon their arrival here by a number of deputies, all armed with Winchester's, able to nip inthe bud any unusual demonstrations which might be made against the offenders. While Sheriff Barr, in his official capacity, took these extraordinary measures that mob violence should not be permitted to follow in
the wake of an atrocious crime he is in this respect entitled to
be warmest conunendation; but may it be said, to the credit of
Fowler citizenship, that the spirit of lynch law does not exist;
that Cooler counsel prevails; that while for the time being our
people stood appalled over the unnatural exhibition of human
depravity, they feel that the law is not lax. That this for its
demands have been satisfied, and that at the November term of
court its honor will be vindicated.
May it be hoped that Fowler will never be called upon to
witness another such scene. Although early in the day, a large
number crowed the court room, mostly out of idle curiosity, the
center of attraction being the two young men, one of whom has
only just reached his majority. They have been for a year
prominent figure upon our street. What a contract, as they
occupied the criminal dock, chained and shackled! Yet, strange
to relate, their adamantine eyes betrayed no remorse, their
features bore no traces of sorrow, their words indicated no
regrets over their deplorable acts of one week before. What an
obJect lesson, WhICh should not soon be forgotten.
FOWLER TRIBUNE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1899
DISTRICT COURT
A Lengthy Criminal Docket
A Two-Week's Season And an Adjourned Term
The November term of the District Court of the 10th Judicial
District convened at the courthouse Monday morning at 10 o'clock,
Judge N. Walter Dixon on the bench. The entire day was taken up
with arraigning prisoners, appointing counsel for those of them
who were not possessed of sufficient worldly goods to indulge in
the luxury and setting cases for the term.
The first came up the trial yesterday afternoon and was that
of Charles Dearborn, charged with burglar.
The Bohannon brothers were brought into court yesterday
morning to be arraigned. Judge Dixon appointed Thos. R. Hoffmire
and G. M. Dameron to defend them. The brothers were then told to
stand up and the information charging them with having murdered
their own father in cold blood at Fowler, last spring was read to
which they listened with apparent stolidity and indifference.
After the reading Judge Dixon asked:
"Are you guilty or not guilty?" "If your honor pleases, not
guilty," said Lee Bohannon, in a manner indicating that he had
replied to this query before. "Are YOu?" said the judge
addressing Frank. "Guilty" you honor. "What's that?" said the
judge, apparently dumfounded. "I mean not guilty, judge."
replied Frank. Judge Dixon then set the case for trial at 10
o'clock next Monday morning, and three days were allowed for the
hearing.
Following is the docket, giving the date set for the trial
of the various cases.
Judith K. Blinn vs Town of Rocky Ford-Damages $15,000. continued
People vs Charles Brizendine- Burglary: bond forfeited
People vs James M. Pickerel- Burglary: perjury; nullifyed
People vs Charles L. Dearborn- Burglary: arraigned plead not
guilty set for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
People vs William Moran and Emerson Hunt-Robbery of jail,
Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.
People vs E. J. Boher-Larceny: defendant arraigned; plead not
guilty.
People vs John C. Kessinger- Assault to kill; set for Friday at
9 a.m.
People vs Samuel Neal- Burglaryj set for Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
People vs D. W. Purse and James Brown-Robbery, set for Saturday
at 9 a.m.
People vs Robert L. Bohannon and Frank Bohannon-Murderi set for
Monday at 10 a.m.
People vs John Safford-Larceny for livestock; set for Tuesday at
9 a.m.
(La Junta Tribune)