The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-24

John Bowen Arrsixned on the Charge Of
Gaming the Coiamity-He Pleads tsnilty.

John Bowen ArrsiSned on the Charge Of
Cansing the Caian,ity-Ho Pleads Gnilty.
From the Port JervIs Gazette. Sept. 2a.j
inc public press has spread the facts lar and wide
concerning the arrest OF an old man named John
Bowen resident OF this locality ana his incarcera
qn jail az at Milford p with the double Die
track Of the Erie Railway with the intent
OF throwing trains or the track He was arrested
In May last, and soon after hls incarceration he
made partial confession, owning up 10 having on
two occasions torn UP rails by which two freight
OF August last he sent for Division supern.
tendent Redmgton, and IN the presence OF
eson To the eect Sas on ne nrht OF the iS
OF April, 1858, he dislOdged ra at Carts
Rock, by which the night express Train was thrown
or the track and over one hundred passengers were
killed or injured He made this confession, he
stated, voluntarily. to ease his mind, as his con.
science troubled him SO that nc could not sleep
nights-thOught that he should die before long, and
felt that he could not die without revealing these
The September term OF the pike county courts
convened at Milford on Monday last, Mr.. George Il.
Barrett President Judge, presiding, and Bowens
D. Biddis, District Attorney. The Grand Jury
found true bin Of indictment against prisoner
Railway on the night Of the 10th OF April, 1868,
whereby the cars were thrown from the track and
the death OF passengers resulted, &c:
me Indictment was returned on Tuesday and at
the opening Of the session OF court on "Wednesday
morning t22d) the prisoner was brought into court
and formally arraigned upon the charge. BY the
advice OF his counsel he pleaded guilty, probably in
the hope thereby OF securing eniency OF punishment
for his crimes. Bowen, IN court and under the try
ing ordeal Of arraignment, appeared cool and I'M
concerned and manifested less concern in the pro-
ceedtngs than any one among tile crowded audience
who were listening with almost GREATNESS interest
to the proceedings.
HIS plea having been entered by the clerk, he was
remanded back 10 jail to await sentence which will
be pronounced by the Judge at the close OF the
term.
Our reporter had brieI Interview with Bowen
after his return to jail The miserable wretch seemed
not TO realize the enormty OF his crimes but spoke
lightly Of the matter. saying that he expected the
Judge would give him only short term Of imprisOn-
ment and ne would soon be out again.
John Bowen, Is an Engltshman by BIRTH siXty-f0ur
years OF age, and for the last fifteen or twenty years
has been resident Of the vicinity Of Sparrowbnsh,
in this town. For eight years lie was employed as
labOrer upon the Erie Railway track, he then bearing
fair reputation. Finally he was arrested by the
company on charge OF forging pay-check, and
Bent upon revenge, and afterwards tmulated by
work. tearing up the rails The history Of his
crimes and circumstances Of his arrest need not be
reCapltulated.
In regard to his confession OF guilt in connection
with the Carrs Rock disaster, the story TOO
improbable and horrible for belief But those who
best knOw~the circumstances OF the case and have
had the best opportunity for forming correct Judg
ment IN the premises put entire credeuce In his
statement-which by The way. Is strongly cOrr0-
b0rated by ouside4evitence and are fully satisfied
of the truth Of his horrible story and that he
the confession TO obtain relief from the tOrmentS Of
guilty conscience.