Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-21
ENACTS A DOUBLE TRAGEDY
WILLIAM BOWIE MURDERS
WIFE AND KILLS HIMSELF
Causes Sensation at Excursion Re-
sort Down the Potomac River.
Cause of Shooting.

Somerset Beach, a colored excursion re-
sort in King George county. Va, was the
scene of a double tragedy about o'clock
yesterday afternoon. William Bowe, col
ored. shooting his wife and then taking
his own life. Both died a few minutes
after the shots we're fired. An inquest
was held by Magistrate B. F. Price. the
jury returning a verdict of murder and
suicide. The bodies were brought here
on the steamer Jane Moseley last night
and placed in the morgue. Coroner hewitt
this morning gave the necessary certifi-
Gates.
William Bowe. who was about thirty
years of age and has relatives at Dur
ham, n. c., and in this city, was sepa-
rated from his wife, Cora Bowe. He re-
sided at 223 Sd street southwest, and his
wife at 1929 I'd street southwest Although
they were separated. it is stated. William
was still very much in love with the
woman and frequently begged her to re-
turn to him. He thought another man
had won her affections, and SO stated to
friends. Letters found in the pockets of
his clothing showed that he had contem-
plated the tragedy some time ago. One
letter was addressed to a local paper,
another to Rev. Mr.. Dent and others to
friends.
Unable to Stand Strain.
In each letter he said he was unable
to stand the strain any longer.
II did all I could" he wrote, land now
I am willing to go with her to the grave
and be satisfied. All want is to die, and
she shall die with me-"
Referring to the man who. he says. was
responsible for his domestic troubles
Bowe wrote: God will handle him. but
wha! he has done to me l will do to
others"
In the letter addressed to the minister
Bowe gave the information that he was
anxious for his wife to return to him.
He further wrote that he had purcha sed
his wife a pair Of shoes, a ring. and had
given her 81 in cash. He requested that
the minister preach at his funeral and
that friends be told he had done his part
and that he was unable to longer endure
the strain under which he had been labor
ing.
When the steamer Jane MOseley left
the foot of 9th street yesterday with
large crowd of excursionists surprise was
expressed when Bowe and his wife were
seen aboard 1t was known by their
friends that they had been separated, and
some of those who were familiar with
to harm the woman. The boat started
from the city about noon. reaching the
excursion resort shortly before o'clock.
Bowe Accosts Wife.
few minutes after the excursionists
had gone ashore Bowe met his wife near
one of the houses not far from the shore.
He asked her If she would make her
home with him again. assuring her that
reconciliation was necessary for his
happiness.
Cora Bowe answered IN the negative.
She had hardly spoken when William
drew revolver and fired two shots at
her, the bullets entering her abdomen.
The reports OF the shots and the woman's
screams attracted a crowd. but before the
husband could be disarmed he turned the
weapon in the direction of his head and
fired. He died almost instantly.
Magistrate Price was soon on the
scene. He impaneled a jury. held an IN
quest and turned the bodies over to
friends to be brought to this city. The
harbor police were notified Of what had
occurred and they assisted in the removal
of the bodies to the morgue.
After Coroper hewitt had given the
necessary certificates this morning an
undertaken removed the bodies from the
morgue and prepared them for burial