Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-21
c L Al NJ S HIS WIFE
Private Bewles Answers His Father-in-
Law.
Mrs. Anderson Approves the Marriage
The Little Bride Followed Her
Parents Example.

Joseph T. Bowles, one Of Uncle Sans
soldiers, stationed at the Washington ar
senal. and whose marriage to Maggie An
derson the girls father Joseph r. Ander-
son. prays be annulled, today filed his an
swer through Attorney Campbell Caring
ton. The father claimed that the girl but
reached the age Of fourteen years last No
vember and that Rowles imposed upon her
youth by taking her over to Baltimore the
ODD Of last month and there marrying her.
In order to marry the child, her fs ther
charged that Bowles represented her age to
be eighteen years to the officiating minis
ter, and. to further carry out the deception,
Mr.. Anderson alleged that his child was
dressed in long dress. whereas her ord
mary dress reaches just below her Enees.
He therefore prayed the court to annul the
marriage, and also prayed the court to re-
strain Bowes from in any way visiting or
interfering with the youthful bride. Judge
Hagner made the girl a ward Of the court
and temporarily restrained her husband, as
her father prayed be done.
Hi. Explanation.
Bowles says he is a private in battery NJ,
fourth United States artillery, and that his
.erm Cf service will expire the 21st Of next
month. He denies that he Dracticed any
artifice, deception or fraud upon the gir,
save that Of telling her of his true love
for her and his wish to make her his wife
He is twenty-five years of age, he explains,
of good family. his parents residing near
Atlanta, Ga, being persons Of means. They
will, he says, be pleased to receive both him
and his wife when no longer soldier in
Uncle Samuel'S army Is he. His love for his
wife, declares Private Bowles. is equaled
only by her love for him. and ne dsposes of
a popular impression by asserting that his
h., ~, Ian hstphlH 10 20
extremely anxious that he and Maggie shall
live together as husband and wife. Indeed
Private Bowles says that not only is he
and always has been an honest. Industrious
young man, but also says that there can be
but one objection to him. ard that is that
ne wears the uniform OF a soldier in the
United States army. w. ,cE. he declares. is
a matter of pride to him. and should he TO
his wife and her family
That he has always been good true
soldier. MIR. Bowles shows by anneXing a
letter from the cantaih OF his battery. in
which he is given an unquesttonably good
character and commended to all with whom
he may be brought in contact.
The mother of his wife, says Bowles, not
OILY desires that they shall live together.
but, he states. his wife has daily importun-
ing beings. the alleged cruel parent excus-
ing himself by explaining that his daugh-
ter Is under The cortrol Of the court, he
being, therefore, powerleds to effect the re-
union.
The Mother Approves.
Accompanying Private Bowles' answer
which he concludes by asking the court
to give him back his wife, is the affidavit
of his mother-in-law, Mary f. Anderson.
Unlike the traditional wife's maternal
parent. Mrs. Anderson speaks in NJ un-
certain terms volumes in praise of her
son-in-law, who, she declares, is a manly
young man, of npst excellent reputa-
ton for industry, honesty, morality and
honor. He has treated his wife, she says,
with the greatest consideration and affec-
ton.
Mrs. Bowles declares, too, that she has
the interest of her daughter more at heart
than has any other human being, ard that
IT Is her wish that the young couple shall
HVe together as husband and wife !mme-
dlately upon the young mans discharge
from the army. The girls mother plays
trump card. however, when she explains
that she was but fourteen years Of age
Wien she married Magges father, a mar
riage which she has never regretted.
Therefore, she does not propose to find
fault with her daughter for following
mamna's example, especially as Mr. An
derson did not ask the consent of her (Mrs
Anderson's) pal ents to their marriage So,
declaring that the girls parents should
not condemn or seek to Interfere with the
young people after having set them the
example, Mrs. Bowles also prays the court
to say, Bless you. my children. may you