Earl Bowers

Notes:

"Elizabethton Star," Monday, July 15, 1940
EARL BOWERS SHOOTS SELF THRU HEART - Grief over Dead Wife And Condition of Sick Child Blamed for Act
Despondent over "so much trouble" is said to be the cause of Earl Bowers, 35-year old father of three children of the Blue Springs section, piercing his heart with a .12-guage short gun today, dying approximately five minutes later, member of the sheriff's force said.
According to officers, Sheriff Ernest Brumitt, Rhody Fortner and Charlie DeLoach, who made the investigation, Bowers had gone in to his bed-room[sic] and pulled the trigger, his body falling back on the bed.
A neighbor, working in the garden nearby heard the shot and ran to the house. Officers were called.
Grieving over the death of his wife nearly two years ago, and the condition of his youngest child, was advanced as the basis for the committing the act.
"I got into so much trouble and tryed everything to get out" a note read that was found nearby. Here a few words were intelligible.
The note, written on a part of a dirty envelope, continued "I had only thing in this world I love and want. Someone tell Miss Stover not to send her away if she can't help her, get someone to keep her. I'm going to mee" ... " and here a word could not be made out.
On the back of the envelope were three words: "I want Shirley to have what stuff I have got here."
Further instructions on the envelope provided arrangements for the funeral. He requested that Rev. D. R. Kilgore and Jess Richardson "talk" over him.
Bowers' wife died about one year and a half ago, a few days after she gave birth to her youngest child, who is said has been in a very bad physical condition since birth. The child has been treated at various hospitals and was recently sent home with a report that doctors were unable to do anything for it, officers stated.
A brother of Bowers was stabbed to death in a fracas at a cabin in Taylor Hollow off from Stoney Creek about a year ago. His body was found near the cabin home of Adam Hurley following an all-night party at the Hurly home.
Bowers leaves three small children.
The body was brought to the Roy Hathaway Funeral Home this morning to prepare for burial. Funeral arrangements have not been made.

"Elizabethton Star," Tuesday, July 16, 1940
FUNERAL HELD TODAY FROM STONEY CREEK CHURCH FOR BOWERS
Funeral Service for Earl Bowers, 30, who died yesterday morning from gun shot wounds said to be self-inflicted by investigating officers, were held this afternoon from the Caldwell Springs Baptist Church.
Rev. D. R. Kilgore and Jess Richardson conducted the services following a request made by the deceased in a note found after the shooting.
Bowers left a note setting forth the reasons for his act. Grief over his wife and an afflicted child were believed to be chief reasons.
His wife died about a year and a half ago. Relatives and friends had been taking care of his children since her death.
Surviving are his 17 month-old son and two daughters.

Earl married Utah Nidiffer about 1934 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Utah (daughter of Newton J. Nidiffer and Rose Ritchie) was born on 25 Dec 1913 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 1 Feb 1939 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in James Elliot Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]