Deputy Collector William Henry Fowler

William Henry Fowler

Deputy Collector William Fowler was shot and killed while sitting at his desk on Austin Street in Jefferson.

The subject was arrested and claimed that he killed Collector Fowler in self-defense. But the evidence indicated that Collector Fowler was shot in the back of his head with a pen in his hand. Speculation was that the subject was embezzling taxes and wanted to silence Collector Fowler when he uncovered the crime.

The subject was released on bond but died before the case could go to trial.

Collector Fowler was a Civil War veteran and served with the United States Department of the Treasury - Office of Internal Revenue, assigned to the Fourth District. He was survived by his wife, two sisters, and two brothers.