The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-12-03
THE BROOKLYN SCANDAL.
The Trial of Demas Barnes for the
Bowen Libel.


From the New York Sun, Nov. 81
The Hon. Demas Barnes. the pub
Usher of the Brooklyn Argus, was
tried Yesterday in the Kings County
Court of Sessions on an Indictment fo- |
libel. procured on the testimony Of
Henry C. Bowen and bis sons Clarence
and Henry. The alleged libel was an
interview published on the 24th of Au-
gust. in which Henry NJ. Smith, Of
Chicago, related story he said he re-
ceived from DR.. w. W. Patton, that 1t
was we'll known among number of
Congregational clergymen that Mr..
Beecher was guilty, alleging that Mrs.
Henry G. Bowen on her deathbed con-
fessed to her husband improper con-
duct with Mr.. Beecher, and averring
that two of her children were illegiti-
mate.
Mr.. Barnes was in court yesterday
with Mr.. D. P. Barnard. his counsel.
Mr.. Henry G. Bowen and his two sons
sat by the District Attorney. Theo-
dore Tilton, who had been summoned
as witness, was in the room with his
counsel. Mr.. Maverick, who procured
the first statement made by Mr.. TLton,
was there as witness.
Mr.. Barnes, when the case was called,
pleaded not guilty.
Mr.. Henry C. Bowen testified that
he had lived in Brooklyn for thirty
years, and in 1853 he was proprietor of
the Independent. Lucy NJ. Bowen was
his wife then. She is dead. There
we're ten children, seven sons and
three daughters. Henry, Edward, and
Clarence are living. He continued:
NV wife died in March, 1873. after
being confined to her bed about two
weeks. was with her all of her last
hours. She was unable to speak from
S to 9 in the morning. She suffered
from paralysis of the throat and side.
She communicated her wants by signs.
Her mind seemed clear. | was with
her all of the time. and she made no
statement. confession, reference or IN.
situation that she had committed adul-
terry with any one. She did not speak
of Mr.. Beccher. She was acquainted
with him, and had known him many
years, as l had. We were both MEM
bers of his church. There is no foun-
dation whatever for the story that a
few days after my wife's death | con-
versed with Mr.. Beecher on this sub
ject; nor that an enmity had sprung
up between Mr.. Beecher and myself
about this matter; nor that Mr.. Beech
er left the Independent on account Of
his immortality with my wife. My wife
told no story whatever. My wife and
Mr.. Bcecher had been acquainted since
l848, when he came to Brooklyn. Mr..
Barnes and | were friends before the
libel was printed. After that MIR.
Barnes came to me and said that he
was not in New York when the article
was published, and that when he re-
turned he stopped the presses and ex-
plunged the Objectionable part. l did
not write letter from Woodstock to
Theodore Tilton under the weight OF
grief, as alleged, and did not accuse
Mr.. Beecher of this charge.
! Clarence Bowen, the third son of Mr..
Bowen, testified that he was with his
mother in her last hours, and in the
room when she died. He said 81
pronounce the allegation that my
mother made any declaration concern
ing Henry Ward Beecher's adultery
with her lie. So far as know my
mother did not say . single word on
the subject
Henry Z. Bowen, the eldest son, ties.
tilted that he was with his mother four
hours before her death. and that she
made no declaration in reference to
Immoral practices with Henry Ward
Beecher. She did not reflect on Mr..
Bcecher in any way. DR.. Storrs, DR.,
Cuyler. and Mr.. Beecher attended her
funeral. There was nothing that my
mother said or did in her last hours by
sign or in any other way to justify the
story.
Dewitt G. Ray, who wrote the libel
Gus article. testified that on Sunday
August %, he met Henry NJ. Smith
walking in Fulton street with Theodor,
Tilton, and the three went to Mr.. Til
toms house, where Smith. in talking
over the case, said to Mr.. Tilton that h,
believed his side of the case. because h,
had heard charges against Mr.. Beecher
two years before. from the ReT. DR.
Patton of Chicago. Mr.. Smith toll,
the story that was printed in the Argus
Mr.. Tilton heard it. and when Mrs
, Bowen's name was mentioned said an
grily. that whatever was said agains
Mr.. Beechcr, he should not believe any
thing against Mrs. Bowen. He avoide,
all conversation about it. Mr.. Smitl
> said that he would support the fact
with his affidavit. Mr.. Barnes wa
! too busy to see the proofs, and after tn
paper went to press he had the forr
stereotyped again, with portion of tn
article taken out.
The District Attorney rested hi
Z case here. and Mr.. Barnard asked tn
court for an acquittal. He said Their
!. was not sufficient testimony agains
: Mr.. Barnes to allow the case to 60 t
the jury. The defense did not wish (
: : attempt to prove the truth eff the art
\ Gle, and could not if they would. an
: would not if they could. Judge Moor
: ordered that the case proceed.
> Mr.. Barnard then argued that th
: Indictment was based on the groun
that Mr.. Barnes intended to accus
: Mrs. Bowen Of adultery with Nj
:. Beecher, while the specifications in th
!, Indictment did not sustain it. as the,
was proof that Barnes had proven hin
!. self to be . partisan of Mr.. Bowen. il
- stead Of wishing to oring him into CO,
tempt. He asked that the defects ,