The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-06-22
The Closing Scenes.


The Closing Scenes.
The Washington correspondent Of the
Baltimore Sun gives the following account
of the closing scenes connected with the trial
of Bowen, the convicted bigamist, and ex-Re
publican member Of Congress from South
Carolina:
The district courts are furnishing of late
quite a number of causes ceIebres to criminal
annals. The termination of the trial Of G..
G. Bowen to-day, like the closing scenes in
that of Holster, few weeks since, presented
many sensations. To the notoriety OF the
prisoner, and the curiosities Of his marital
experience, which have attracted general at
tention to the cause pending against him,
there was added public defence by the cul-
,prit of his conduct, and all the pathetic sem
sation that grows out of evidences OF woman
ly devotion to a man whom all else have
abandoned ..-'
The court had been opened at an hour g
o'clock unusually early, and there were but
few spectors of the scene which took place.
Judge Dlin read terse opinion, overruling
the motion to suspend sentence, and then
called on Bowen to say WIN sentence should
not be pronounced. Bowen rose to reply,
but was stopped by Mrs. King. Bowen, who
clunc to him and would not let him stir. In
few moments he quietted her, and proceed
ed to vindicate himself declaring that he
acted on the faith of the New York divorce,
and if that was wrong, it was not his fault,
and that he relied likewise upon the act of
Congress, which freed from the penalties of
bigamy parties deserted for more than i've
years. He said:
IL ana tired and worn out-with this pur-
suit of me. The whole combined South, at
one time, attempted to fight the Government
of the United States. They continued it for
four years, and failed. 1t is useless, it is
folly for any man to attempt it. One man,
without money, and, perhaps, limited num-
ber of friends, to cope with this government
in a prosecution of this or any other kind,
is impossible. They pay their SPIES. They
pay their men. They ransack the country
from one end to the other, having all the
money needed at their command. In this L
do not mean to cast any imputations or re-
fections upon the District Attorney or his
assistant. I only say am tired and worn
out. A new trial is spoken of. l DO not
know that l have any assurances OF better
result. Not-that 1 have acted wrong in this
case intentionally, your Honor, but sent to
prison, at this time, what could hope if a
new trial; were granted this fall, and re-
turned here without money, without friends,
and was put upon trial a. second time =
These gentlemen District Attorney and, his
assistant) having the privilege and the means
of roaming the country to- hunt up all sorts
of witnesses, it seems to me that could not
hope for much better result.
'sIn conclusion, say that whatever pun
isment may fall upon my head, | stand here
toreceive it. From the commencement ofthis
affair, | have not shirked. / married that
woman (pointing to his wife) last August,
in good faith Though the laws of the coun-
tay many annul that, have a firm belief
that the laws of God never will, when what
ever punishment that may be inflicted by this
court shall have been served out, if we are
spared, turning to his wife, who rises and
receives his extended hand, return to her.
Mrs. Bowen here clung closely to her hus-
band. Mrs. Bowen, in momont or so, re-
sumed her seat at the request Of her hus-
band
"One word more, and I am done. To
these gentlemen, who kindly offered to 60
my bail, 1 am much obliged. | have acted
by them, as T have in this whole transac.
ton, in good faith. To-day they are relieved
1 am truly grateful to them.
"Now your Honor, l am done. Pass your
sentence. You know the case and the cir
cumstances that surround it"
The Court-The sentence of the court is,
Bowen, that you be confined for two years
in the Albany penitentiary.
Mrs. Bowen-(Cl Clinging closely to her
husband, in feeling manner, said in a firm
yet gentle voice "If he did it, 1 did it. If
he is to be sentenced, please sentence me.
You have no right, your Honor, before God
Almighty, to visit punishment upon him
alone for what I did also. With that record
in my hand, I stand before this court and
my God I procured it. It was obtained
in good faith. If irregular, if invalid, we
are not in fault. Oh, sentence me! I cannot
part from him. He is too pure, too good.
You know him not I do know him"
The Court Madam, I have.a duty to per-
form here, and, while I sympathize with
you from the bottom of my heart, I must
still perform that duty. In addition, MIR.
Bowen, to the Imprisonment for two years in
Albany penitentiary, you will pay a fine of
$3.50.
Ihope the warden of the Jail, ifyou are
committed to his custody, wilspostpone the
execution of the sentence until you have an
opportunity to apply % some ofmy brethren
on this bill of exceptions for astay Of the
execution Of the sentence. J may be mis-