The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-25
WHO IS MARY EVA BowHNq
Her Claim of Relationship to the Late W.
v. Bowen-Who Mar. Bowen Was-Hs
Memory Defended.


A correspondent sends to the Boston Jour-
nal the following statement OF facts in regard
to the lat Hon. WV. Bowen of Chelsea form
erly of this city, whom Governor Butler's wit
ness, Mary Eva Bowen, in her testimony con-
corning the Tewksbury Almshouse, claimed to
have been her father:
Certain parties have within few days drag
ged through the filth and stencil of the Tew Ks.
bury investigation the fair fame of an honoreo
gentleman, native Of and long resident OF
this State, who died few years since In Chel7
sea, Mass.
Reference is here had to the published let
ter OF one King, and the testimony OF wom-
an who claims TO have an unknown previous
name in New York, but before the committee
OF investigation represents herself TO DO tno
daughter of William V. Bowen, who, having
fallen into disgrace, was sent after passing
through one or two other bad places. to few ks,
bury, where thay tried to kill her, and ala
kill her child Ii is Iolaimed that her Iather,
the late w V. Bowen, was the faoile tool ~
the hands OF cruel step-motheri that ~ nef
instigation he sought TO have his child muir
dered, and had disnherited her. 80,
There are some misstatements made by tnis
woman which would seem to prove that she
has gone but short distance and travels Win
devious steps In the path OF reform. a lew
facts in the life of the late Hon. William Y.
boWoH Will nhtlnfy thb pubic uu UNIV Pos"s
and set at rest these malign ISLANDERS upon tne
fair fame of one whom his kindred and friends
admired and esteemed; whom his fellow citl-
zeus delighted TO honor Mr.. Bowen was the
Youngest son OF Major Michael Bowen, q SOL
der OF the Revolution, who went TO Norm
Haven, Me-, at the close OF the war, where no
married Sarah Carr. reared a large family,
lived and died. William v. Bowen In early
manhood went 10 Addison, Washington conn
ty Me-, where no married worthy lady by
the name OF Freeman. Mr.. Bowen first follow
ed teaching, and was afterwards merchant.
Mr.. Bowen while living in Washington was
twice chosen as Senator from that county.
He afterwards moved TO Portland, was con
neoted with the city government from Ward
Oae, was an assessor, and several times cleo
ted TO represent that city In
the Legislature, and was twice chosen as
one OF the Senators from Cumberland county,
TO himself and honor TO his constituents Near
the close OF the late war Mr.. Bowen moved to
Chelsea, Mass, where he engaged, not as rep
resented, in navigation, but 10 some extent In
real estate transactions. Mr.. Bowen died quite
suddenly at Chelsea few years since, near the
age OF rs, leaving the wife OF his youth child
less widow. The Hon, VIM. " Bowen had
but one wife and they had no children OF their
own; they brought up three girls. Some II not
all were connections OF his wife, but neither OF
them bore any blood relation 10 MIR. Bowen.
The claim of kinship and tho bugbear Of a
cruel stepmother who bounded on weak par
ent to Infamous crimes Is pure fiction. IL is
possible that this woman Is one OF the girls Mr..
Bowen brought up, whose ruin he was panied
to see, but whom he had no motive to iniure.
Justice 10 the memory OF worthy man de-
mands that this SANDER should be refuted by
the press that has given IL currency.