Bowen family web
Joshua or Josiah "Brown" Bowen
From the Gonzales Daily Inquirer (Condensed)
Transcribed by Ben Bowen from materials supplied by Marlene Bowen Fruth.
May 18, 1878
It Was estimated 4,000 people arrived as to feast to witness the
human suffering and shedding of human blood for the hanging of Brown Bowen.
The gallows were erected between the jail and the jailer's house so that
the prisoner stepped from the head of the stairs onto the platform.The gallows
was 17ft. 6 in. from the top beam to the ground. The platform was 10ft.
6in. from the ground. The "fall" was 7 ft. The trap door was sprung
by touching a lever whereupon the door fell to the ground.
About 2:00 P.M. Mr. Bowen was led to the scaffold. Rev.E.Y.scales read his
final statement "blaming his troubles on keeping bad company and proclaiming
his innocense of the murder of Thomas Holderman."
He claimed that J.W. hardin, with whom he went to town,killed Holderman
because he thought he was a spy for J. Tomlinson, J. Helms and W.W. Davis.
Bowen claimed Hardin and Gip Clements went into the store and started drinking.
"Hardin told me he was going to show me how to kill a man. I begged
him not to as he (Holderman) was harmless and my friend. Hardin went to
Mr. Holderman and told him that I killed his son." Bowen Prayed with
Rev. Seale, the Noose around his neck. while Mr. Bass was preparing the
spring door, Bowen Muttered, "O Lord receive my spirit" The door
sprung open and Bowen fell a full 7 ft. In about 6 Min. he was dead. Bowen
was a native of Florida.
Children of NEIL BOWEN and MARY WESTERN are:
i. JOSIAH BROWN BOWEN, b. December 21, 1848, Escambia, Escambia County, Fl; d. 1878, Texas.
Notes for JOSIAH BROWN BOWEN: Brown Bowen was hung in Austin, Texas for the murder of Tom Halderman
ii. FLORIDA BOWEN, b. 18501.
iii. JANE BOWEN, b. 1856, Karnes Co. Texas2; d. November 06, 1892, Mounds Creek, Texas; m. JOHN WESLEY HARDIN, February 29, 1872, Riddleville Gonzales, TX; b. August 19, 1892, Bonham, Fannin Co., Texas; d. May 26, 1895, El Paso, Texas.
