Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-08-13
and State tickets and the new Constitution Of
West Virginia.
W. W. WELSH, President.
81, 3 9, F = Bne9kE, Secretaries.
Ex-Mayor Bowen Charges Grant with
Cheating him out Of S25, 900.

NEw YORK, July 27.-ExMayor Bowen,
ton, July Is, as follows, to George Watkins.
OF Scipio, New York, declaring the President
wronged him out of S25, 900 in business
transaction:
"Mr DEAR sIR: You are right in stating that I
Know something of General Grants business quail
hcatons wen his character for honor, honesty
and truth had a business transaction with him,
IN which he cheated me outof S25, 600, with cool
ness and deliberation that would do edit to any
blackleg. as stand ready to prove by Grants let
ter and original contract in my possession. j IN
tend to prosecute Grant before the Courts, and have
made arrangements to commence suit against him
at the next term, when the whole matter will be
shown up TO the world in evidance that can not be
disputed, This affair is only an index to Grants
and will resort to any thing evasion invasion of
law and justice, any thing else that any honor.
pocket His habits are Of the feweas order. ms
deed, his instincts are low and vulgar, and he is
horse Jockeys, smoking cigars. drinI King whisky
and talking horse.' Your friend, &C.,
s.4. BowEs."
This letter needs little explanation in
order that its contents may be suitably APP
preciated. General Grant had fine house in
Washington presented to him previous to his
nomination aud election as President. twas
on Minnesota avenue, and was occupied by
him when he was General-in>Chie of the
army. When he resigned and became Presi-
dent and was to go to the White House, his
house on Minnesota avenue was for sale. Mr.
Bowen, gentleman in Washington of ample
fortune, who had been and was the M ayor of
the city, offered to take it. The terms agreed
upon were $4,000. The contract of sale was
drawn up, and to bind the bargain Mr.. Bowen
gave 81 900. OF course the real title in
equity of the house was vested in him.
About that time it occurred to certain wealthy
gentlemen in New York and PHILADELPHIA.
among whom was A. It. Stewart, that General
w. L. Sherman, who was to be at the head of
the army in place of General Graut, deserved
the testimonial of a public subscription.
They, not knowing of its sale to Bowen. re-
solved to buy the Grant house for Sherman.
They inquired its price and we're told that it
was S70, 900 They agreed to it, and by sub
scription made up Sherman's payment for that
amount. In this Bowen was swindled out of
S25, 900. 1t was his house and not Grants.
The latter had no more right to sell it than he
had to sell his present residence For man
IN Ohio to give deed twice involves pun-
ishment in the States prison. A written con-
tract to buy, until its terms are extinct. is
just as good for the person who purchases as
completion after sale. Ono can be no more
repudiated than the other. Yet Grant did it.
1t Bowen was not cheated out of the S25, 900.
then it was Sherman or Sheyman's friends
who made up the amount for him, and that
was the same thing.
This happened three years ogo, and Grant
supposed that he could, by his power and DO.
sitlon as President, silence Bowen and pre-.
vent him from asserting his rights in the
premises. All the Judges and Marshals in
the District of Columbia, in which the trans
action occurred are annoiptod hv C-,,+ ,5
there was little hope that for the time any re-
dress could be had from that source. Mr..
Bowen has waited; fortunately Grants power
is on the wano, and we are glad to know that
he is determined to compel him to make resti-
tuition. We can not doubt that he will obtain
his dues: The evidence is overwhelming and
can not be disputed, and it constitutes a pro,
found disgrace to the United States which
mover before elected President who would
DO that which is charged against him by DIR.
Bowcn.- Gin. Eng.