Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-03-28
CIubbed TO Death.

GliS Cilsi 10 Csiilu'y S-NNitSu WV 'i'N
murder of Mr.. Francis NJ. Bowie, one
of the wealthiest men in that section,
and brother-in-law of Collector of In.
ternal Revenue F. Snowden Hill. He
was killed on his farm on Sunday even.
ing, within half mile of his dwelling
A colored man named John Wesley
Johnson was arrested last night at
Bowie Station, on the Baltimore and
Potomac Railroad, and taken TO Marl-
boro for investigation. Red spots were
found upon his clothes, but it has not
been determined yet whether or not
they are blood. He says they are spots
of red paint. There is not great deal
of Importance attached to this arrest,
and the crime otherwise seems to bt
wrapped in mystery. Mr.. Bowie's
body was thrown into well after he
had been murdered.
The murdered man was in Marlboro
on Sunday. He lived near that place.
He arrived home about four O'Clock.
After dinner he told his wife that he
would take q run down to q lower
field with his horse 10 look after the
sheep. AS night came on and Mr..
Bowie had not yet returned, Mrs. Bowie
began to feel anxious about him, and
she sent colored girl servant out to the
stable to see if Mr.. Bowie'S horse was
there. The girl found the horse stand
ing at the stable saddled and bridled,
IT ,r
then that some mislap had overtaken
Mr.. Bowie, his wife summoned some OF
her nearest neighbors, who commenced
a search and continued to look for the
missing mail till midnight without
learning anything of his whereabouts.
Early yesterday morning a message
was sent to Marlboro from Mrs. Bowie
to Justice James Harris notifying him
of her husbands disappearance. She
feared he had been attacked by heart
disease and fallen from his horse.
Justice Harris Immediately informed
some of the citizens, and Constable
Saml. Sweeney. Messrs. NJ. Cassin
Warren, William H. Brooks and Maui
rice Z. Stallings started out immediate
" for Mr.. Bowie's farm. After they
arrived, they ut once began the search,
and in q few hours near the Western
branch, they came across some traces
of blood, and walking farther they
found where there had been Il scutiie.
Deep footprints were found in the
ground, and the earth was torn up by
the horses feet. The footprints were
of such character as to denote push
ing and dragging. Beyond this more
spots of blood were discovered under
walnut tree, near a gate. Here was
found, also, evidence that the murderer
had endeavored to wipe out the tell
tale spots of human blood as it fell
upon the earth, for finger marks are in
the ground, the earth having been
gathered up in the hands and scattered
to the wind.
a short distance from this walnut
tree is ravine about fourteen feet
deep. Into this the body was thrown
at first, and then removed. Here was
found the club by which he was killed,
a heavy club of twisted locust, on
which was matted sandy hair, the kind
of the deceased, and also a large spot
of blood. After these things were
found, the searching party went to the
we'll of a vacant tenement house and
sounded the well with some rope.
They did not discover the body, how
ever. and Messrs. Brooks and Waring
at once went to Marlboro with the
news. The town was ut once thrown
into state of excitement that has ex-
ceeded anything since the Lyles MUIR
ders there just after the war. The peo-
pie flocked at once to the scene, but be-
fore they reached it the body was dis
covered to be in the well by some par
ties who had procured well-hook, and
Il piece OF Mr.. Bowie's coat was pulled
up.
A horrible sight fell upon the gaze of
the visitors as the body was drawn out.
There was deep cut under the chin,
and bad hole over the right eye
These were made with the club, and
were the immediate cause of his death
The body was then taken to the front
porch of the uninhabited dwelling,
where the jurors viewed the remains.
Mr.. Bowie was about forty-five, and
the richest man in lower
Prince Georges. He had number of
arms and owned much property in
Washington and Upper Marlboro. He
caves wife and eight children. His
wife is the daughter of the late Charles
Hill, of Prince Georges county, and the
sister of Internal Revenue Collector +.
Snowdcn Hill. The murdered man
vas son of the late w. B. Bowie. He
lad three brothers and two sisters.
To CURE CODA bad cold, says HaTs
'Ournal Of Health like measles or mumps, or
ther ailments, will run it, course of about
l1.rnIa for