BOWMAN, N.D. — More than a century after a brutal murder shook Golden Valley County, a granddaughter and great-granddaughter of the victim are returning to their roots with a book they’ve co-authored. Janice Rustad Lininger and Kari Lininger-Downs will be featured in author events and say their book is educational, an enjoyable read, and shares a key part of surviving any tragedy: remembering the love you shared.
According to the book and contemporary news reports, Murrel K. Bowen, beloved husband and father of seven children, was murdered in July of 1919 at his home in Golden Valley County. His wife and children witnessed his death at the hands of four well-known local men, and while some were arrested and tried, no one was ultimately sentenced.
Janice Rustad Lininger, co-author of ‘Bowen: A Life Unfinished’ and granddaughter of Murrel K. Bowen.
Photo courtesy of Janice Rustad Lininger.
“My grandpa was loyal to the core with his beliefs,” said Janice Lininger, granddaughter of Bowen and co-author of the recently released historical non-fiction volume “Bowen: an Unfinished Life.” “Loyal to his family, and he stood up for their neighbors. I hope the essence of who our grandfather was stands out.”
Lininger, who still refers to Bowen as “Grandpa,” began speaking with her grandmother, Maud, about the events surrounding Murrel’s death in the 1960’s. Maud had barely spoken about the tragedy in the decades since the trial.
“She was afraid,” said Lininger, describing the way Maud had refused to let her children out of the house and even overheard the men who’d killed her husband talk about ‘getting rid of them all so there would be no one left to tell the story.’
The book details the complex political dynamics surrounding the prosecution, a scene Lininger’s co-author and daughter, Kari Lininger-Downs likens to 1923, the prequel series to Yellowstone. With phraseology pulled from newspapers of the time, the duo have attempted to give readers an authentic, personal portrayal of the heartbreaking events of the summer of 1919 and the ensuing aftermath. Both Janice and her husband spent years combing through databases for documentation before bringing Kari onboard five years ago.
Kari Lininger-Downs, co-author of ‘Bowen: An Unfinished Life’ and great-granddaughter of Murrel K. Bowen.
Photo courtesy of Kari Lininger-Downs
“It was in all of the newspapers at the time,” said Lininger-Downs, describing the corruption, social pressure and flawed justice system Bowen’s family faced. “We include deep-dive chapters on the political climate.”
Readers interested in learning how Maud and her children endured the aftermath can attend one of the upcoming meet-the-author events. At 11 a.m. Friday, July 11 at the Bowman Regional Public Library, 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12 at the O’Fallon Historical Museum in Baker, Montana and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15 at the Golden Valley County Library in Beach, attendees can purchase copies of the book, which is also available
. As for the authors’ goals, both want readers to recognize the value of shared history, the impact North Dakotans have had on the country, and most of all, the priceless gifts of resilience and love.
“I think she’d feel a little bit of vindication, or maybe justice at last,” Lininger said, responding to a query about how her grandmother would feel about the book being published. “More than anything else, I think it was the love they had for each other that got them through, and the love the children had for their father.”
“It’s an important story to tell,” agreed Lininger-Downs.
The Bowman Regional Public Library is located at 18 East Divide Street in Bowman, and the O’Fallon Historical Museum is located at 718 South Main Street in Baker, Montana.
RubyAnn joined The Dickinson Press in January 2025 as the Community Pulse Reporter, covering arts, entertainment, food, local businesses, and community events in southwest North Dakota. For story tips or inquiries, you can reach RubyAnn at 701-456-1212 or rubyann@thedickinsonpress.com.