John DeWitt "Dee" Bowers (John, Andrew) was born 24 Jul 1867 in
Rutledge, Grainger Co., TN. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Choctaw Nation, I.T. (now LeFlore Co., OK).  He married Tilitha Anderson on 6 Dec 1891 in I.T. After their marriage and the births of their first two children, he became involved in a counterfeiting scheme, which was a surprisingly common crime in this time and place.  He was tried  and convicted of "passing altered U. S. obligations" on 30 Nov 1898 in the Eastern District Court in Paris, TX, which had jurisdiction over Choctaw Nation. His sentence was three and one half years and a fine of $50.  This photograph was probably taken on or about 29 Dec 1898, the date he was received at the U. S. Penitentiary at Ft. Leavenworth, KS.  He was paroled on 14 Jan 1901.