The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-13
4 IE1F FROM TEE RECORD OF
CRLME.
A RADICAL CONGRESSMAN SHOWN UP By A
RADICAL ALDERMAN.
G. C. Bowen Arraigned as Thief
Forger and Murderer.
HIS xArRlxoN1AL PEoCADLLLoES. ac.
TO 1HH PUBLIC.

from him, to commend me to all honorable
men who know his personal history. Iprc-
pose to reply briefly to those reflections, and
show from the record that q. G. Bowen is not
credible witness upon question OF fact. I
regret that I am obliged to make his reply
during his absence from the city; but the
vices, like the virtues, flourish togeth er, and
@. C. Bowen has added oowardics TO slsnder by
flying from Charleston as soon he had placed
the manuscript of his sourrillous article in the
hands of the printer.
Referring to Dr.. Mackey's removals and ap-
polntmeuts in the Customhouse, Bowen states,
in his communication, "He CDR. NJ came
home and recommended the removal Of e1-
Confederate Surgeon Dupont. and the appoint
ment OF ex.Confederate Captain 7. J. Mackey,
the MAI who was once indicted for violating
the neutrality laws IN the days OF gray-eyed
Walker, OF. Nicaraguan fame; subsequently is
said to have made unusually profitable use OF q
petition for pardon OF q mail robber; was we'll
known in Texas, "a State IN which there are
doubtless worse men than he;) was afterwards
some kind OF ranger in the Confederate
army, tben something else IN Texas. then q
clerk in the Freedmau's Bureau in Washing
ten; for brief period titular private secretary
to Governor Scott. and chief f0gleman and de-
sroyer OF his brothers. chances for senatorial
honors, from which laborious but Improbable
STATEN he was promoted to. foreign entry
clerk 10 the Charleston Cnstomaouse."
Istwitbe sesn' that Mr.. Bowen charges that
I am an ''e1-Confedefate captain" . charge
which, irndaae in oouusption with his allegation
that persons disqualified" by law we're re-
tanned in the Customhouss by llk Mackey.
could have been meant only to convey the i'm
preston that, I am: embraced IN this clsss.
Yss Bewen'knows that my name is included In
the very act Qi3 Congress- by winch he himself
was relieved 81 his political disabilities, passed
June 26 1868. I admit that am an ex-Con-
federate. Twas captain u engineers in the
Confederate army, which Ientered as citizen
oiSouth Carolina, in obedience TO the accepted
political code Of my people. In that capacity
served actively for near four years as the
chief engineer Of important military districts;
served IN macy battles on the staff Of General
Sterling Price, hero worthy to have worn
the white plume OF Navarro; and I followed the
varying fortunes OF that noble chief to thoir
sad but honorable olese. then surrendered
my sword, he preferring to die in exile rather
than stoop his lofty crest TO the conqueror.
even thoueh that oonqueror represented, as
he did. the flag Of his country that gave pro
tection alike TO the viouor and the vanquished.
In the course Of that service, Iperformed no
act unworthy Of good soldier, or q man OF
honor.
But how stands it with @. O. Bowen, whose
name, BY olvic fiction, now bears the prefix
Honorable 2"
He Is New England man, born and reared
in Rhode Island, near the very altar Of liberty.
7 He entered the Confederate army as lieuten-
ant cavalry. and after an ignominious career
Of two years, he was osshiered tas / can show
BY the Off ,ial record before mel for the crime
Of forgery!
It is also true that I was indicted with Gene
raj Walker on the charge OF violating the Deu-
trslity laws of the Unted States. but have
yet to learn that this fact could detract from
my standing ,as gentleman. Immediately
after my trial aud aoquittaI on that charge.
j 1as asesppolhtef BY tho authorities at Wash
ington as Examiner Of United States surveys
for Kansas and Nebraska. fsH"'-'
| I was not clerk, but the Examiner Of Ac-
counts; In the Preedmsn's Br reau. ahd III that
capacity I became acquainted with the evi-
dsnoeon which G. G. Bowen WAS arrested and
committed to prsson by General siclles, on
the charge OF STEALING MONEY from the freed
men. It is true shat was private secretary
TO Governor Scott, the same gallant soldier
and worthy gentleman whose duty it became,
- asaislalt commissioner Of the Fresdmen's
Bureau for South Carolina, to have Bowen ar.
rested (for STEALING and to make him.
through the military authorities, disgorge .
large au ,unt OF his i;l.eotten gaine.
l Il Is true that ! sa ''well known in Texas. +"
10 the Summer OF 1895. - aching United States
provost marshal over twenty counties Of that
state. I arrested ruany crmlnals, some Of
whom we're executed for the crime Of murder,
after fair and impartial triai, on hr less evl-
dence than that adduced,i 70 prove that @. G.
Bowen murdered Colonel: White. BY the hands
OF hired assassin, in his ed-n.umlat George
town, g. c.. In November 1854 for which bloody
deed he escaped punirhmsnt. through the
fight Of his sccomplice. after full confession.
he was confined in prison hare on that charge,
and WAS released st the general Jail delivery
made bY the Uuted States forces on their on
Try into 0hsreston, IN 1855.
This dark but truthful story OF BoWen's
Grim ,s, ls. not inconsistent with his ante-war
record.
BE came to this city in 1859 as the head of
band Of the lowest class Of gamblers, aud
soon slguallsed his adven by stealing valua.
BILE set of faro checks from an establishment
in thus city. which checks he sold in New York,
where they we're recovered BY their owner, to-
gether With the written proof Of e'owen's guilt.
This fact can prove by q ''coud of wltues-
$685." The munloipai suthoritles OF thus City
hlve been frequently appealed to during the
paat month by his wife ut Louisville, whom he
has abandoned. although worthy woman, to
aid her in securing suppori from him, while
he 10 living in open iufamy With another IN
this city.
Bowen charges that ''preside over social
cd Union Leagues, where, for fee Of fifty dol
lars, he puts through resolutions TO SANDER
good Republicans"
Il is true that am president Of the Union
- m r ~