1903-03-16-sr-p10-c4-no-damages-for-neil-bowie-death

March 16, 1903 Spokesman-Review Page 10 Column 4:

NO DAMAGES FOR HIS DEATH

PARENTS OF NEIL BOWIE WISH TO DROP SUIT AGAINST NORTHERN PACIFIC

Rather than prosecute a railway company for damages on account of the death of Nell Bowie, the parents of the dead boy will allow their former attorneys to take $500 from the railway company as their fee and drop the case, though their former lawyers say the railway company is willing to settle the suit for $2000.

Little Neil Bowie, aged 11, was killed in an accident on the Central Washington branch of the Northern Pacific about a year ago. Suit for $10,000 damages was commenced in the local courts, but Mrs. Bowie, afterwards declared she would never appear in a courtroom to prosecute such an action. An attempt was made to substitute F. W, Dewart as attorney for the Bowie family in place of the firm of Robertson, Miller & Rosenhaupt. Mr. Dewart said the parents wished to drop the sult. The other law firm objected to this proceeding, claiming it was entitled to its fee for handling the case to date and stating the railway company was willing to make a $2000 settlement.

Judge Belt yesterday directed that an order issue allowing the substitution of attorneys if the fee was paid as demanded by the old attorneys.

It is said the parents refused to prosecute the suit as they objected to carrying such affairs before the public. No explanation is given as to why the suit was originally commenced.