Malverean Leader
Malvern, Iowa
November 29, 1894

The murder at Hastings on Saturday night [November 24, 1894], a brief account of which was sent by our Hastings correspondent, created intense excitement here where all parties are quite generally known. The murdered man had many friends who are deeply moved by his tragic death and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to the stricken wife and children in their terrible sorrow. From the best information we have been able to gather the murder was wholly unprovoked. The consensus of opinion is that Mr. [Philip D.] BOOTH had not been drinking, as was at first reported, but that BOWEN, who was under the influence of liquor, took advantage of the opportunity to pay off an old grudge in this most terrible manner. That the murderer should have been permitted to escape after this bloody work seems strange in view of the fact that a number of men were on the scene and some of them heavily armed. But he did escape and is still at large so far as we know. The horse which he rode away was found at Mt. Ayr Monday, so we have been informed. That he will yet be apprehended and brought to justice is very probable although he may for a time elude the officers. BOWEN is said to be of a contentious, quarrelsome disposition, especially when in liquor, and feeling against him ran so high that had he been captured within a few hours of the commision of his crime he would have been roughly handled.

NOTE: Philip D. BOOTH, born in 1865, Virginia, was interred at Hasting Cemetery, Hastings, Mills County, Iowa, funeral conducted by the Odd Fellows. - WPA Graves Survey According to family sources, Philip BOOTH and Albert BOWEN were neighbors who were arguing over an election.

Malverean Leader
Malvern, Iowa
November 29, 1894

On Saturday evening about 10 o'clock a quarrel took place between Albert BOWEN and Phil BOOTH in the office of the livery barn, said to be over some grudge. Someone present attempted to take BOWEN, out but it seems he was bent on shooting before he left, and just as he reached the door he turned around and shot, the shot taking effect under BOOTH's left arm. This shot was the one that struck Charles BICKFORD in the leg. From evidence it seems that after this shot BOOTH sprang after BOWEN and when just outside the door the second shot was fired, taking effect in the left side, just under the heart. BOWEN then left for parts unknown. BOOTH went out at the east door of the barn and around to the south side, falling under an old buggy standig there. He was taken up at a few moments after and carried to Dr. WHITMALL's office where he expired one hour later.

A great deal of sympathy is manifest among citizens of this place for the family of Philip BOOTH who was murdered at Hastings Saturday. Many of our citizens were former schoolmates of the deceased.

Malverean Leader
Malvern, Iowa
November 29, 1894

A great deal of sympathy is manifest among citizens of this place for the family of Philip BOOTH who was murdered at Hastings Saturday. Many of our citizens were former schoolmates of the deceased. On Saturday evening about 10 o'clock a quarrel took place between Albert BOWEN and Phil BOOTH in the office of the livery barn, said to be over some old grudge. Someone present attempted to take BOWEN out but it seems he was bent on shooting before he left and just as he reached the door he turned around and shot, the shot taking effect under Booth's left arm. This shot was the one that struck Charles BICKFORD in the leg. From evidence it seems that after this shot BOOTH sprang after BOWEN and when just outside the door the second shot was fired, taking effect in the left side, just under the heart. BOWEN then left for parts unknown. BOOTH went out of the east door of the barn and around to the south side, falling under an old buggy standing there. He was taken a few moments after and carried to Dr. WHITMALL's office where he expired one hour later.

Mills County Tribune
Glenwood, Iowa
December __, 1894

Last week's Mr. Ayr Ringgold County, IA, News, gives the follwing interesting matter in relation to Al BOWEN, the fugitive murderer: A murder in Mills county greatly interests Ringgold county people just now as the perpetrator of the crime passed through here on his road to refuge in Harrison county, Mo. which ajoins this county on the south. In Tuesday's issue we announced that this was believed to be the case as a horse was discovered Monday which answered the descripton sent out by the Mills county sheriff. The fact of the crime and the flight seem to be as follows.

Shortly after committing the murder BOWEN was mounted on a running-bred bay stallion belonging to his uncle, and was fleeing from justice. He must have reached Gooseberry Creek, four miles east of Mt. Ayr, early Monday morning, for when Levi TERWILLGER found the horse under the bridge just west of his residence Monday noon, he gave evidence of several hours of cooling off after a very hard ride. From here BOWEN is supposed to have walked 17 miles southeast to a neighborhood a half mile across the Missouri line, and two miles this side of the line between Ringgold and Decatur counties. Here there lives his eight cousins, also bearing the name of BOWEN, and their two brothers-in-law, a total of ten men who are skilled in the use of fire arms, and just such men are liable to die with their boots on. The hills down there are so steep that the cattle can't graze while going down hill. The timber and hazel brush cover the country, and it is an ideal place of refuge, especially with so many friends close at hand.

Two of the BOWEN's cousins came up after the horse, an offer the following story: They said BOWEN was out buying cattle, his horse gave out and he showed up at their place for dinner about one o'clock Monday; that since then they had not seen him and knew of no trouble till the officer came. However, they did not get the horse, which was in such bad shape after his long ride that he was brought to Mt. Ayr to be treated by veterinary G. McCLINTOCK.

The officer who came in response to a telegram sent Monday is Deputy Sheriff J. H. HOWE of Glenwood. He drove over from Afton Tuesday forenoon, and that afternoon together with F. M. WHITE and Abe MORGAN went on the trail. They started in the BOWEN neighborhood that evening, returning the next morning, and Wednesday afternoon Mr. HOWE left for Glenwood, evidently thinking that a company of infantry would be about the necessary force to subdue the BOWEN bailiwick.

Red Oak Sun
Red Oak, Iowa
December 7, 1894

Albert BOWEN, who in a drunken quarrel shot and killed Philip BOOTH in R. G. PRIEST's livery barn at Hastings about 10 p.m. on Nov. 24, has so far succeeded in escaping arrest. In the confusion and excitement of the moment no attempt was made to detain BOWEN and he quickly left for his home, two miles southeast of the town. He stayed at home about an hour and then taking several hundred dollars in money and a horse he left and has not been seen since. He traveled on horseback to near Mt. Ayr, where the horse was found by the sheriff’s posse in pursuit, he having abandoned the animal. When last heard of he was in Harrison County, Mo.

BOWEN had been drinking heavily the night of the murder, and when in liquor was always ugly tempered. A short time before he shot BOOTH they were drinking together in a stall in the livery barn, when the cook in the hotel came up and BOWEN pulled out his revolver and made the cook dance. The he went into the office of the livery barn, where six or eight other men were and began talking loud and threatening BOOTH with whom he had a difficulty some weeks before. BOOTH came in while BOWEN was threatening and quickly the quarrel was on. BOOTH told BOWEN he didn’t dare draw his revolver on him [BOOTH] again as he had done when they had their previous difficulty. BOWEN replied with an oath that the would draw his revolver on whomever he pleased . At this BOOTH pulled out his pocket-knife and told BOWEN that if the revolver was drawn BOWEN would suffer. One of the other men in the office then took hold of BOWEN, turned him partly around and guided him out of the office. As he went out of the door he turned and fired at BOOTH, the ball striking BOOTH’s shoulder blade and glancing off struck Chas. BICKFORD in the leg. BOOTH started after BOWEN and just as the latter got outside the office door BOWEN fired again, shooting BOOTH through the body just below the heart. BOOTH walked about 40 feet and fell. He was taken to a doctor’s office and in an hour he was dead. He was never fully conscious, although he spoke several times.

BICKFORD, who was shot in the leg was not seriously wounded, the bullet being pulled out with a piece of his pantaloons that it had taken in with it. BICKFORD had just returned a rig to the barn and was on his way out when shot.

BOOTH leaves a wife [Phoebe (KIRKENDALL) BOOTH] and three children [sic, Myrtle Mae, Charles B., Leona, and Dorothy Philla]. The murderer has a wife and eight children.

Executive Journal
Office of the Governor, Des Moines Iowa
January 29, 1895

Whereas, I am satisfied that on or about November 24th, 1894, near the town of Hastings in the County of Mills and State of Iowa, one Philip BOOTH was feloniously murdered by one Albert BOWEN, and

Whereas, the said Albet BOWEN has so far managed to evade arest for said crime and is now a fugitive from justice;

Now, Therefore, I, Frank D. JACKSON, Governor of the State of Iowa, by virtue of the authority vested in me by law, do hereby offer a reward of Three Hundred Dollars for the arrest and delivery to the proper authorities of the said Albert BOWEN, said reward to be paid upon his conviction.

Mills County Tribune
Glenwood, Iowa
July 11, 1911

Last Friday’s Tribune told of the absence of Sheriff BUSHNELL and Deputy EDWARDS, and that the rumor was generally circulated that they had captured a man up in Tripp county, South Dakota, wanted for the murder committed 17 years ago in Mills County. As we could secure no confirmation of the rumor, the Tribune refrained from mentioning names or giving the particulars until the return of the officers.

Messrs. BUSHNELL and EDWARDS returned Thursday night, but "their man" was not with them. They had been given a wrong tip.

Japsey WAY of Malvern is responsible for the officials’ fruitless trip of late, and coming down the first of the month reported that Al BOWEN, wanted for the murder of Phil BOOTH at Hastings on Nov. 24, 1894 was working near there. This was followed by a telegram from an officer that BOWEN was under arrest at Colome. Deputy EDWARDS at once started for Colome to take charge of BOWEN, and Sheriff BUSHNELL went to Des Moines for requisition papers from Gov. CARROLL, and after securing them hunted up the governor of South Dakota to have the same honored.

In the mean time Mr. EDWARDS arrived at Colome, and soon found out that the man under arrest was not the one wanted, although his name was BOWEN, and resembled somewhat the murderer of BOOTH.

It is said that the man arrested is a cousin of Al BOWEN. His name is John BOWEN, familiarly known as "Coffee John" from the fact he has been a cook in grading camps there for several years past. "Coffee John" was arrested for bootlegging, and did not know that he was wanted on a more serious charge. He is now in the federal prison at Sioux City.

The incident has created much interest, especially in the east end of Mills County, where both men were well known. Bad blood had existed for several months between BOOTH and BOWEN. The latter charged BOOTH and a couple of other men with stealing keg of beer from him. It was on a Saturday night when the two men met in the office at the old livery barn at Hastings. Both had been drinking and were in ugly moods. BOWEN, who had the reputation of being a "bad man" and always carrying a gun or knife, was armed with a big 44 revolver on this occasion. It is charged in defense of BOWEN that BOOTH displayed a knife on this occasion, but it is declared that he was never known to carry a gun. He had the reputation of being a fist fighter, and was quarrelsome when under the influence of drink.

Witnesses declare that after BOOTH dared BOWEN to lay down his gun and go into the street, he rushed at him. BOOTH was shot twice. One bullet passed through his shoulder and struck a bystander, Charles BICKFORD.

This was at 10 o’clock at night, and an hour later BOOTH was dead.

BOWEN, unmolested, started on foot for his home three miles southeast of Hastings. There he mounted a stallion and rode 100 miles that night to Mt. Ayr, near which place he had relatives.

The horse was found tied under a railroad bridge, and the animal died three days later from the hard ride he had been given.

BOWEN was later traced down into Missouri, where other relatives lived.

Willard CAMPBELL, now living near Missouri Valley, was sheriff at the time, and J. H. HOWE of Glenwood was his deputy. The officers spent much time in attempting to capture BOWEN but without success.

Mr. HOWE states that at one time he traced BOWEN to the home of an aunt down in Missouri, and but for the refusal of a couple of local officers to stand guard at the back door, while he entered the front door, he would have captured him. The Missouri officials declined on the ground that they did not want to get killed. Mr. HOWE was compelled to go into the house alone, but saw nothing of BOWEN. However, while he was talking with BOWEN's aunt a man came in the back way and throwing a big revolver on the bed remarked that he had been out shooting squirrels.

He is statisfied that there would have been a desperate battle had he chanced to meet BOWEN and attempted his arrest. It was afterwards tipped off, through relatives, that BOWEN went out the back door when the deputy sheriff entered the front way.

NOTE: From what I can tell, Albert BOWEN was never captured and brought to justice for the murder of Philip BOOTH. - SRB

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009

  "Al BOWEN died in Joplin, Mo., in 1938 under the name of Frank KALFEE. His mother's maiden name was CALFEE. So he assumed the name of Frank KALFEE. We found his obituary and stated no close relatives but a couple by the name of STEELE came from Spearman, Texas to complete arrangements. On his death certificate he indicated no living relative or names of spouse or parents. So we are wondering now if maybe he worked in Texas on a ranch as he did list his occupation as retired rancher.

"We're trying now to figure out if Al made his way back to his parents. He had a youngest daughter born in 1902 in Nebraska and we think he must have made his way back. Maybe parents/wife hid him for a while? Makes sense and then he moved on to Joplin Mo. How he got connected to the STEELE family from Texas we are still working on. We've been trying to get some information on Philip BOOTH."

  Joplin Globe, Joplin, Missouri
February 28, 1938

KALFEE—Funeral services for Frank KALFEE, 83 years old, who died Wednesday night in St. John's hospital, will be held at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon at the Lanpher chapel. The Rev. Father William P. Brophy of St. Peter's Catholic church will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park cemetery.

Mr. Kalfee was a retired rancher and had no close relatives. Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Steele of Spearman, Tex., arrived here yesterday and completed funeral arrangements.

[Albert, a.k.a. Frank KALFEE, was interred at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, East Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.]

Updated information contributed by Patricia Meadows and Barbara Bowman, April of 2011
Gravestone photograph and death certificate contributed by Patricia Meadows, April of 2011
Obituary by Barbara Bowen

  I searched for both the names Alfred BOWEN and Frank KALFEE or Frank CALFEE at ancestry.com with no results.

I then searched at ancestry.com for Phillip BOOTH with the following results:

Phillip D. BOOTH
son of Edward C. (1827-1862) & Nancy F. (GRIFFITH) BOOTH (1834-?)
b. ca. 1856, West Virginia; d. age 38y, 24 Nov 1894, Hastings, Mills Co. IA; interred Hastings Cemetery
married 10 Jul 1879, Marysville, Marion Co. IA Phoebe Jane KIRKENDALL (1863-1937)
Children: 1. Charles David BOOTH
                     b. 19 Nov 1884, IA; d. Nov 1966, Oakes ND
                 2. Leona BOOTH, b. Dec 1893, IA
                 3. Dottie BOOTH, b. Mar 1895, IA
                     born after her father's death

Phoebe Jane (KIRKENDALL) BOOTH
b. 03 May 1863, Albia, Monroe Co. IA
d. 11 Apr 1937, Oakes ND
married 2nd Thomas ROBERTS (1863-?)
Child: George ROBERTS, b. 1907

Submitted by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2011