The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-09-09
THE DISPA tt.
THURSDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 9. 1883.
Il III T. f / II G. A S II L Il
Tragedy.
sposDrxor Or rar RICHMOND DAnr p,sr.rcH.

fNcAsILs, Va. Sept !, 1855.
The excitement produced In this community BY
the tragedy Of the 10Th Of August, has, BY no
neans, subsided, although II has assumed the
character ofa deep and pervading feeling, engag.
log the mind Of every man, woman aud child. aud
hadiug expression 10 low whispers, OF in looks,
which convey more meaning than words. The So
cIai standing and position Of the parties, as we'll
as the unhappy train OF circumstances, which
resulted in the death Of aud the blasting of the
domestic peace Of the other, make 1t . case OF
peculiar interest, and II 10 not strange that the
sensation consequent upon H. deepens and spreads,
as the day approaches for public investigation.
Monday. the 9th Of September. was the day fixed
Tor ts>> examination of HENRY w. BOWER. one o;
the Tost respectable citizens Of this place. for
killing JAMES hcDowkLL, ST., President Of the
Farmers Bank Of Fincastle. It was alleged in
Justification Of the act, that Mr.. Mcdowell had
been guilty OF seducing from her home, aud di-
recting to houses OF iI-fame in Richmond and
Baltimore. q daughter Of Mr.. Bowyes. On the
10Th of August, as your readers already know. Mr..
Bowyer entered the Farmers Bank, " here he saw
Mr.. Mcdowell, sitting behind the counter, writing
Mr. b, approached him aud said, "McDoweli. look
up!" Mr. McD. did 50 and exclaimed. "oh oh ~
Mr.. b. then deliberately shot him with revolver,
iofiicting three wounds, Mr.. Mcdowell making no
further defence than to enGeaver to shield himself
With large book. The wounds proved fatal, for
t.
surrendered himself into the custody of q magis
trate. and committed, without bail, for a
hearing before a called court, on Monday, the O. h.
Long before the hour for the mencement of
proceedings, yesterday, the Courthouse was
thronged with spectators. Every seat, every Inch
OF space ou the floor, the steps, ia the ssllery
aud even in the windows, was occupied and 30
eager were the popuiace to secure available posi
ttons that they filled the bcr, to the exclusion Of
those whose presence there was necessary, and the
Sheriff was required to clear the space, which he
did very promptly.
At Ii o'clock, the. following magistrates appear
ed ON the bench: Messre. Andrew L. Boyd, Wm
D. Carper, Thornton A. Flaherty, Lewis Liukenho
ger. Thomas j. 0benchain and James L. Patton.
The Commonwealth Attorney, VIM. II. AntbO
ny, accompanied by Messrs. Raleigh I. Daniel and
rcution aud Messrs. Thomas J. Michie, Henry NJ
Edmondson, VIM. W. Boyd, John T. Anderson and
Vim. Watts, for the defence.
Tue prisoner iva. brought in, Immediately after
the organization of the court and seated near his
counsel He was accompanied by several friends.
He bore his trying situation with remarkable
cyniposure as ii his conscience was free from self
reproach and his mind satisfied Of the propriety Of
his course The entrance of the prisoner 0ecasi0n
ed brief sensation, but quiet was soon restored,
and the proceedings commenced.
Mr. Anthony, Commemorative Attorney for
Botetourt Couuty, arose aud stated that several
witnesses for the Commonwealth were absent, and as
their testimony was considered material in the
the sth inst.
Messrs. Andersr and Niche opposed the mo-
ton, pressing the Importance of the immediate
progress of the examination. for whch the accused
was here prepared, aud ready to meet the strctest
scrutiny. Various arguments were presented
ia opposition to postpoDement of the case, TO
which Mr.. Anthony briefly replied, aud submitted
the question to the Court.
After a consultation, Mr.. Justice Boyd. on be-
half of the Court, announced that the case stood
adjourned until Wednesday at 10 O'clock; where.
upon attachments against absent witnesses we're
asked for and granted.
The Court then adjourned.
This unexpected event caused a general ex.
preston OF disappointment, for great numbers OF
spectators had poured into town from miles
around, and now they must return without graft
wing their curiosity. 1t was doubtless believed
by many that Miss Bowyer would be produced in
Court; and indeed we heard, that she passed
through Lynchburg day or two previous. in DR..
Stribiing's charge, on her way to Fincastle. But
she is in the Asylum ut Staunton, and will there
remain for the present. DR.. Stribiing is here as
witness, but did no: come by the way ofLyDchburg.
ihus rumors Of every sort are started, and they
grow as they CO."
For ourselves, we have the consolation of occr
pying the most comfortable kind Of quarters, at
the Western Hotel, a first rate house, kept by Mr..
j. T. Woltz. This gentleman is also Clerk of the
County. and has thus afforded ue ample facilities
in the court room.
The Farmers Bank building where the tragedy
occurred 10 located on the Main street, and a
square brick structure OF two stories one portion
of which Is the family residence of the McDowells
The rooai 10 which Mr.. Mcdowell was shot, is some
twenty feet square, and con tains the usual furni
ture of a banking Office.
Mr. Bowyer's family residence is about half
mile from the Court Ieuse, and in fall view. II is
handsome brick mansion, situated on hill, and
surrounded by noble oaks and Lombardy poplars
A more attractive place we have seldom seen.
There 10 nothing else Of interest to communi
cate. w.