Discovering the truth about a heroic ancestor killed by Baby Face Nelson

By Renae Cowley

February 1, 2008 | I grew up listening to stories about my famous relatives on boring car rides and family night activities. It wasn't until recently that it really hit me how significant their lives and contributions were -- and one in particular.

Throughout campus, hallways are adorned with faded photographs of historical moments and memorial plaques of university presidents and other patrons. Imagine my surprise when one of these plaques caught my eye in Old Main near Champ Hall and I saw my last name written in brass as I passed by.

Samuel Parkinson Cowley, the plaque reads, who died in the service of his country . . . for the cause of justice and the safety of his fellow men.

With my interest piqued, I backtracked to the spot where the piece of my family tree was hung. I could recollect back to a story about this familiar name. He was an FBI agent before anyone really knew what the FBI was, but I had no idea we had the same alma mater or that he was in the Sigma Chi fraternity. I did, however, recalled his fatal link to Baby Face Nelson.

Upon further research and direction from my adviser, I took the rarely traveled path to the special collections section in the Merrill-Caizer Library determined to learn more about this fellow Aggie.

Samuel P. Cowley, my great-great-cousin, was born July 23, 1899, in Franklin, Idaho, the first town founded in that state. He was the son of Lavon and Mathias Cowley, once a member of the 12 Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended high school in Logan.

From 1916 to 1920 Cowley served an LDS mission in the Hawaiian Islands, including the islands' leper colonies. His brother Joseph Cowley, another USU Sigma Chi who became president of the alumni association, said Samuel loved the Hawaiian people, their culture and their dedication to their families and religion. Joseph also said Samuel was humbled by the lepers and their steadfastness in faith through their trials.

Cowley earned his bachelor's degree at Utah Agricultural College in economics. During his time at UAC he was an active member of Sigma Chi, where four of his half brothers would also join including Mathew Cowley, another Apostle of the LDS church. Cowley has received the distinct honor of being named a Significant Sig from his fraternity. Cowley later attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he obtained his law degree and joined the FBI.

J. Edgar Hoover, director if the FBI, said, "With his education he could have earned far more money in a far less difficult and dangerous job. He chose not to consider these things."

Hoover has been quoted many times singing Cowley's praises. There are several handwritten letters in special collections from Hoover on FBI letterhead attesting to his fondness of my relative. In the magazine of Sigma Chi in December 1952, Hoover said, "He was the bravest man I ever knew."

In the October 1961 issue of the Guidepost, Hoover said, "He was as solid and dependable as he looked." Hoover also said in the same article, "There is a difference in physical bravery and moral courage. Samuel possessed both."

After serving some time in the FBI as an agent, Cowley was promoted to the rank of inspector and was given his first big assignment.

"Find John Dillinger, but more importantly stay safe," said Hoover.

At that time more than one-fourth of all of the FBI's cases were against Dillinger and his gang. Labeled as Public Enemy No. 1, Dilllinger and his men had killed 10 men (including an FBI agent), wounded seven others, robbed multiple banks and orchestrated several jail breaks during the Great Depression.

Acting on a tip that Dillinger would be attending the movies in Chicago on July 22, 1934, Cowley set up teams of G-men at two Chicago theaters that night, not knowing which one he planned to attend. During a gunfight that erupted as John Dillinger exited the Biograph Theater, Dillinger was killed in a side alley.

After the success in the Dillinger case, Cowley set out to find the rest of Dillinger's men, including Lester Nelson Gillis, better known as Baby Face Nelson.

Cowley and his partner, Melvin Purvis, spotted Gillis' car late at night on Nov 27, 1934. Armed only with their service pistols, they pursued the car and after exchanging gunfire they managed to hit the radiator, crippling the car. Gillis' car ran onto a ditch and Baby Face came out peppering the surrounding area with a sub-machine gun. He mortally wounded Cowley and his partner.

Cowley and Purvis hit their target and Gillis was found dead in the ditch with 17 bullet holes in him.

Hoover said, "It was grim proof of the accuracy of Sam Cowley's marksmanship."

After backup arrived, Cowley said, "We are Fed men. Take care of my partner first." Cowley died the next morning, Nov 28, 1934, in the hospital.

At Cowley's funeral, his sister Laura said, "Sam died just as he lived, courageous and determined to do what was right."

My personal investigation of my family tree has led me to feel a deeper connection to this American hero, and inspired me to exemplify the same bravery and commitment to justice that he paid for with his life.

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