The Shooting of Mayor John Fowlie
By Steve Lent, Crook County Historian
Shaniko, Oregon, was a bustling community in the early 1900s, thriving after the arrival of the Columbia Southern Railroad. Among its residents were John Fowlie and his wife, Dorthea Alltermatt Fowlie, who came to Shaniko to build their lives amidst the town’s prosperity. Mr. Fowlie worked as a cashier at the Eastern Oregon Bank Company and became an active member of the community. After serving on Shaniko’s city council, he was appointed mayor in 1909, stepping into the role after the resignation of Mayor D. M. McLaughlin.
By 1911, John Fowlie was still serving as mayor, known for his steady leadership. However, tragedy struck on October 27, 1911, forever altering the fabric of the community.
On that day, City Marshal G. H. Reeder had arrested local livery stable owner Dell Howell for assaulting a farmer in the washroom of a hotel. While escorting Howell to the local jail, the two encountered Mayor Fowlie outside a drugstore on a Shaniko street corner. Howell, visibly agitated, began ranting about his arrest. Mayor Fowlie, attempting to diffuse the situation, calmly stated that he knew nothing about the incident and suggested Howell get some rest.
Rather than de-escalate, Howell reacted violently. He drew a .32-caliber pistol from his pocket and fired twice at close range. One bullet struck Mayor Fowlie in the abdomen, lodging under the skin near his right hip. Marshal Reeder and councilman R. J. Kinney quickly tackled Howell, disarmed him, and restrained him on the wooden sidewalk.
Despite his injuries, Mayor Fowlie managed to walk into the drugstore for help. However, his condition rapidly worsened. He was transported to The Dalles Hospital for emergency treatment, where doctors performed surgery in an attempt to save his life. Sadly, the wounds proved fatal, and Mayor Fowlie passed away in the hospital.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Howell, who was intoxicated at the time, later claimed he could not recall why he shot the mayor. He expressed regret, stating that Fowlie was a good man.
John Fowlie was laid to rest in Albany, Oregon. His widow, Dorthea, and their two children moved to Rufus, Oregon, following his death. The penalty Howell received for the killing is unknown, leaving an unresolved chapter in Shaniko’s history.
This tragic event left an indelible mark on the town, a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of human actions. Mayor John Fowlie’s contributions to Shaniko, however, remain part of the town’s legacy.