The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-18
A ROWDY HANGED
Brown Bowen, a Notorious Desperate,
Executed in Texas.
REMARKABLE SCENES
Colloquy on the Gallows with
the Culprit.
BLOODsHED THREATENED.
rpy rEnron.pH TO The HERALD

By TELEGRAPH TO The HERALD.
GONZALES, Texas, May II, 1878.
Bowen hanged here to-day in tho jail yard
for the crime OF murder committed against Thomas
Holderman. December II, 1872 IN tho lower part OF
Gonzales county. near tho border line. Dewitt Bowen,
his brother, escaped to Florida where he cap
tured ON September II, 1871 Brown Bowen was TWEEN
ty.eght years OF agc, fcct inch in height and
weighed 162 pounds. The evidence against him at
tho trial was very conclusive, two good witnesses
swearing tina, Bowen deliberately shot Holder
man through the head. John Wesley Hardin,
tho noted desperate in Texas, married Bowcn's
sister, and Hardin was with him whea tho murder
committed. Bowen s,renuousiy asserted his in
noccncc and accused Hardin Of tho crime. He says
he did all In his power TO prevent it, Bowen ana
Hardin have both been terrors in tho county,
supposi,ion prevails that Holderman knew OF some
crimes they had perpetra,cd AMI they killed him 10
get ria oil his possible evidence.
HEAyRS.
Bowen wrote long letter 10 his wiic, at hitting,
Ala. swearing TO MS Innocence aud accusing Hardin.
He says II he could forgive his enemies no would 20
TO heaven, but he could not forgive them he was
very firm during the early part OF yesterday but ner
yous pros,ration followed during last evening and un
I'll one clock this morning Petitions tor respite
OF thirty days and u subsequent Communication wcre
to the Governor, put nc refused positively last
night TO inter ere. There least five thousapd
strange spectators in town TO witness the legal
Tragedy. Captain Lee Hal ana company o. State
troops wore present as precautionary measure.
t@1 scAFroLD
The execution took place NJ Ton minutes 10 thrcc
o'clock. Bowen entered the cells OF the othor prison
ers and them no thought he would be hanged by
the moo At half-past two O'Clock sheriff Bass, the
Rev. Dr. Scale, Methodist mil lister, and tho prisoner
and the Shcrins deputies, appeared on the scaflod.
DR. Scale accidentally touched tho trigger trap, and
tho trap iel causing delay OF about four minutes.
Dr. Scale read the cuiprlps dying statement, which
declared that bad company mad brought him to tho
gaows II also repeated his declaration OF inno-
cenco aud continued hrs accusation against Hardin.
Bowen then called John Holderman, brother OF the
murdered man. 10 the gallows ana asked his tcsti-
mony.
HoLpERMAy--i believe In my heart that you killed
my brother. The testimony confirms my belief
The colloquy lasted tor len minutes. Bowen then
said, "lt's an accurscd lie.
A RUfFIAN
DR.. Scale then offered prayer The sheriff put the
blu OK cap on. In voice LOUD and hrm the prisoner
made short address, after which he placed himself
under the drop, winch fell precisely At nity innutes
past two O'Clock. a#
AT three O'Clock his pulse ceased 10 beat, and his
body was cut down ct sixteen minutes past three /.
NJ His neck was not broken; he had becn strapgled.
FRIENDS took charge OF the body, which was sent 10
his father at Rancho In this county, at four O'Clock
A subscription was taken up to pay the burial cx-
pcnscs. t%s
NEAR THE GALLONS.
j. Bowen, Bob Houston and q. Dewitt had some angry
words, when Houston pulled out his pistol Ono
SHOT fired but one was hurt. Captain Hail
and the Sia,c troops ut once stopped The row. which
promised TO assume large proportions, as both par
ties have many followers.