Sikes-Bowen Cousin marriage - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 24 April 1896

Some weeks ago the Journal contained an account of the elopement of John Bowen, of Bowers Station, with his cousin, Laura Sikes, of Ripley Township. The girl’s father, Wm Sikes, his brother, Taylor Sikes, and his sister, Mrs. Sam Sargent, with their families were terribly wrought up by the unlawful marriage and set about at once to effect a separation. For the past few days things have been very interesting. Last Friday Mrs. Sam Sargent and others went to the home of the Bowens and endeavored to get Laura, who is not yet eighteen, to return to her parents. She consented for a time and even got into the Sargent buggy, but then when prevailed upon by her husband, climbed out again. Finally wrought up by the angry arguments she seized a revolver and attempted to shoot herself but was overpowered by her aunt, Mrs. Sargent.  On Saturday the Sikes big and little and the Sargents came in and Tom Sargent swore out a warrant for Bowen’s arrest, charging him with living in a criminal manner with his cousin, the marriage being rendered illegal by their relationship.

Constable Abe Hernley went driving post haste to the Bowen place and found Laura affectionately sitting on John’s knee while he sharpened his razor. Her arm was around his neck and she was calling him all sorts of sweet things. Love’s young dream was rudely interrupted and after the arrest the young people drove into town in a buggy just ahead of Mr. Hernley, the bride insisting on accompanying her husband. Arriving here the young man was taken before ‘Squire Stilwell and was bound over to the court in the sum of $200. Not being able to give it, he was taken to jail. Laura then became wild but soon quieted down and agreed to go home with her parents. She walked out to the buggy under the pretense of getting her cloak. Her uncle, Taylor Sikes, went with her, rather expecting her to do something rash. And she did. She reached into the pocket of her cloak, quickly drew out a revolver, threw the muzzle to her heart and pulled the trigger. Fortunately her uncle was in time. In an instant he seized her arm and wrenched it just as she fired. The weapon was thrown around and the ball, a thirty two caliber, passed through the fleshy part of her arm and then cut through the shirt front of her father who came rushing up. He was slightly scratched and excitedly exclaimed, “My God I’m shot! Call an officer!”  The girl fell fainting in a heap and was carried up into Dr. Keegan’s office where the wound was examined and found not to be serious. The girl soon regained consciousness but was very sick. She lay moaning and sobbing while hundreds of curious spectators thronged about outside attempting to get a look at her. Her mother, father, aunt and uncle were by her side and to them she expressed a willingness, even a desire, to return to the parental roof.

Mrs. Sargent stated that the girl had been perverse and wayward for a year, and when her parents interfered with her for her good, that she became despondent and frequently threatened to commit suicide. “John Bowen,” Mrs. Sargent declared, “Is a trifling no account fellow who has no standing whatever. I don’t care if he is my nephew, he is no good.”

The whole matter ended by the girl being bundled into a buggy and taken to her parents’ home. Her father spoke sternly and harshly to her and informed her that unless she promised to be good, she would be handed over to the sheriff. The girl seemed very glad to promise anything and evidently did not love John enough to wish to share his incarceration. She is said not to be overly bright.

Sikes states that he will prosecute John Flannigan who made the marriage affidavit.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 24 April 1896