National Republican., 1876-06-24
CHILD MURDER.
The Accused Acquitted on the Ground Of
Insanity

insanity.
The trial Of Susan Bowman, colored, indicted
for the murder of her infant child, Nellie Bow
man, by casting her into q sewer on the ID Of
April, 1915, where she sufocated from the water
and filth, came up yesterday, Messrs. r. J. Muir
ray and jackson H. Ralston appearing for the
defense.
His Honor said that the Government was under
the impression, from representations that had
been made, that the woman is insane. She sp-
pears both penniless and friendless. The counsel
for the defense had informed him that the
woman being without means, they were unable
to procure the medical evidence necessary TO sus-
tain the plea Of insanity, and he should submit
her to the jury for their examination. If a ver-
dict of not guilty was returned on the ground Of
insanity, he should send the woman to the Insane
Asylum.
The following jury was empanneled: Samuel
q. Middleton, Richard NJ. Allen, Francis B.
Lord, jr., Jos. y. Beckett, George Donaldson,
Thos. A. TolsOp, ]. d. Harris, Jas. +. Mcguire,
Robert Besll, Jacob Kengla, VIM. II. johnson
and Arthur Fowler.
Albert Smith, sworn: Knew the accused, and
saw the child. The husband came home and in
quired for the infant, and the woman said that
she had put 1t in the sewer. He made inquiries,
not believing the statement his wife had made.
Witness told him TO get an officer, which he did,
man, and went with him to the corner Of FIJI.
teenth and streets and pointed to sewer where
the accused had thrown 4. The baby was taken
out, and had been there about two hours.
Cross-eXamined: The woman said nothing to
any body after the child taken Of the trap.
Said she was out of her senses and that the priest
told her to do It. The same night she put the
child in the trap she was moving her things
across the street and back. Had heard her at
uons and answering them.
Francis Brooks, sworn: Lived in Sampson
ns to fss trap with The sn4
Witness got down in the trap and brought 1t up.
1t was dead when taken out.
Cross-examned: Mrs. Bowman lived opposite
witness house.
Henson Brooxs, sworn: Was not acquainted
with the defendant: After the child was taken
from the sewer at the request OF the officer, wit
ness carried it to his house, where he kept It until
the policeman carried Mrs. Bowman to the station
and returned after il.
The Government here rested, reserying the
right to call DR.. J. T. Hartigan.
FOR THE DEFENSE
Harriet Butler, sworn: Mrs. Bowman was wit
ness grandchild. She had been in the city six
teen or seventeen years. Mrs Bowman was not
very sensible woman, and witness thought her
senses left her more and more every day. She was
more sensible when child than now. She had
spasms in her youth The would say one thing one
minute and deny il the next; do something and
then undo it, and the older she grew the worse
she was. She went to church with witness that
day, and attracted the attention Of everybody BY
saving her prayers out loud. The gal Is silly she
is crazy. The Lord knows how old she is. Mrs.
Bowman was as kind to her children as any woman
could be; never WAS q better naIured one, or more
silly one.
Dr. J. T. Hartigan sworn for the Government.
Saw tire child referred to, and examined 1t TO
ind the cause of death. The lungs were in a
state of CONGESTION, but the other organs were
healthy. There was no doubt that death resulted
from sufocation.
Mrs. Mary Moore sworn for the defense: Had
known Mrs. Bowman; she lived with witness
twice, q number Of years at each time. She al
ways behaved strangely, frequently while in wit
ness employments She used to think the devil
was after her. and said she had seen him, and left
witness employ on that account. She came back
to service with witness afterwards. She would
not stand teasing.
Miss Lucy Hunter, sworn: Is matron at the
Louise Home. Mrs Bowman had been in wit
ness employ some three years ago; remember
her coming TO witness one day with her head in
her hands, and saying the saints in heaven had
thrown it down to her. Another time she came
in decorated with flowers, and called herself q
flower girl. Witness formed the belief that she
was idiotic
Gross sseIamined: When she spoke Of her child
she always misstated the sex.
Robert Strong sworn: Is q guard at the jail;
did not know right from wrong.
The testimony here closed, and after q brief in
struction from his Honor the jury retired and
returned with verdict Of not guilty by reason Of
insanity.
The clerk was directed to make a certified
copy of the verdict and transmit the same to the
Secretary OF the Interior that she may be sent to
the Insane Asylum.