Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-04-08
BOWMAN Is UN MOVED.

MADE by MRS. ElSic Murray IN
statement last evening that he
killed her husband, w. A. Muir
ray, at the latter's home here on
March 10th by administering
poison secretly by him. All et
forts by Prosecuting Attorney
HannIs to make Bowman,
against whom the presumption
Of guilt now rests as result Of
Investigations, realize the serl
BUSINESS Of his position and ad
NIT some connection with the
crime, failed, and Bowman was
taken back to Jail to await fur.
Their inquiries.
Bowman was confronted with tho
statement of Mrs. Murray. reported
In another column, which laid the
guilt at his door. The chain Of evi.
denee SO far established was detail
ed to him-the fact that he bought
strychnine in Sykesville, Md, be-
fore coming UP here, the charge
that he once before engaged a girl,
Lizzie Knipe. by name. Of Sykes
Vile, to put arsenic in Murray's cot
fee one day in Sykesville, the fact
that strychnine was found in Muir
rays yiscera after death, the charge
that either Bowman or Mrs. Murray
administered the poison at the home
here the night of the death. the ac-
cusation of Mrs. Murray. laying the
guilt on him-but Bowman's atti.
tudc of absolute ignorance of any
crime or his innocence OF any con
nection with any alleged crime was
not broken He parried with Prose
cutting Attorney Hannis constantly
denied statements which connected
him with the crime, declared that
all references by Mrs. Murray to
him in connection with the alleged
crime were untrue. and said he not
only had no connection with the poi
soning but did not oven believe Muir
ray died Of poisoning. His bearing
was defiant, as were his answers,
and once his combatveness mount
ed 10 the point where he exclaimed,
addressing Mr.. Hannis, that 'he
fMr IIannis) might look as mad as
he wished" but he would not fright
en- him tBowmanD After the exam
nation Mr. IIannis had the prisoner
taken back to the jail, informing
him Just before he left that the case
would have to 20 TO trial as II
stands at present.
Untouched BY Seriousness.
Bowman, apparently fifty years Of
age or more was practically unim-
pressed by the dangerous position
in which the State now views him,
Judging from the surface evidence
of his hearing during the question
ing. He is very tall slim Of build,
with Il mustache, and with voice
that Is somewhat broken He vol
unteercd no information this morn
ing beyond that involved in answers
to questions Mr.. Ilannis informed
him OF the situation as soon as he
was seated and suggested that he
make then any statmcnt which he
might want to make which would
throw any light on the mystery.
Bowman then entered a general de
NAL; he declared he did not know
that Murray was poisoned, that if
The dead man died of poisoning IT was
not administered by him. Bowman
said he could not understand why
Mrs. Murray blamed it all on him
(assuming that Murray had been
noiaoned) unless it was an attempt
TO shift responsibility, and said ne
would accuse neither Mrs Mrray
nor anv one else because he had no
reason ia believe that Murray was
poisoned This general story he
maintained throughout the session.
lie was asked whether he had not
PASSED Mrs Murray off as his wife
at times. He denied it AT first, but
tben admitted after aucstion. that
she had signed decd Of trust and
note for thefr home as Mrs. Elsie
B0wman." lie denied any undue IN
timacv with Mrs Murray. ana said
no had never told her that he would
like to oct rid Of her husband Ills
roIation4bio with MIR Murray. he de-.
clared. mas always bocn friendly
with tbo exception 81 fcw timcs
when Murrat had become offended
over estoriag" told him about Bow.