Daines Honors Bowler As Montanan Of Month

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines has recognized Burl Bowler and the staff of the Daniels County Leader as Montanans of the Month for their outstanding work as newspapermen for the Daniels County newspaper.

Through his “Montanan of the Month” initiative, each month Daines highlights a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the recipient’s honor into the Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress.

Bowler was born and raised into a generational newspaper family from Scobey. The Bowler family has owned and operated the Daniels County Leader in the northeast corner of Montana for over 100 years. Bowler’s tenure with ‘The Leader’ started as a kindergartner with his father, where he would sweep the floors. He eventually made his way up to editor and owner.

Burl is dedicated to his passion as a newspaperman. Every Wednesday, Burl would make the 55mile drive from Scobey to Wolf Point to pick up the newspaper from the Northern Plains Independent.

Due to the changing media landscape, the Daniels County Leader had to shut its doors. After 104 years of publication, the final copy of the Daniels County Leader ran in July.

The newspaper helped bring communities of Montana together, from business postings on the front page, to senior spotlight announcements celebrating soon-to-be graduates, to chronicled excerpts of meetings and gatherings in town. Bowler focused on events happening right at home, bringing the community together through his stories.

“I am thrilled to recognize Burl, his family and all those who worked for the Leader throughout its rich history, for their tremendous contributions in leading the Daniels County newspaper for the past 100 years. It is my distinct honor to recognize Burl Bowler and the Daniels County Leader staff as Montanans of the Month,” Daines said.