Edward McGowan spent most of his time in
British Columbia causing trouble for the residents of both
Fort Yale and
Hill's Bar. His antagonistic behaviour initiated the so-called McGowan's War. A lawyer by trade,
McGowan came to
Hill's Bar from
San Francisco after fleeing persecution by the Vigilance Committee. At
Hill's Bar he encountered Dr. Max Fifer, a former member of the committee, and attacked him
in the street over lingering grievances from his time in
San Francisco.
After assaulting Fifer, McGowan faced trial on
January 19, 1859. In a
log-cabin courtroom…the principal battle of McGowan's War would be fought.
McGowan pleaded guilty to the charge of assault and was given the maximum fine and
ordered to keep the peace. Earlier in January, however, the battle between two rival
factions for
Hill's Bar escalated. McGowan convinced
George Perrier, Justice of the Peace for
Hill's Bar, to arrest their mutual enemy, and
Perrier's
Brother Magistrate,
P. B. Whannel for contempt of court and ordered the release of
Whannel's prisoners, allies of their own. For McGowan's involvement in the crime of falsely arresting
Whannel and releasing Crown prisoners, he pleaded not guilty and convinced
Judge Matthew Begbie to hold a
preliminary hearing.
McGowan produced evidence that he had been deputized by
Perrier and acted on his orders. Begbie felt he had no choice but to dismiss the defendant.