Detective Chief Fired for Arresting Bowen as a Phagan Suspect

Former Atlantan, Who Was Taken Into Custody in Houston, Texas, Early on Monday Night, Released After an Investigation by Chief of Police Department, Who Says He Is Convinced of His Innocence

BOWEN WAS IN CHINERO ON DAY OF THE MURDER HE TELLS DETECTIVES

His Father, Cal Bowen, of Newnan, Georgia, Received a Message Last Night From His Son, Declaring That He Had Been Freed — Bowen Is Well Connected in Georgia and His Friends Are Indignant Over His Arrest

Paul P. Bowen, a former Atlantan who was arrested in Houston, Texas, on Monday night on suspicion of involvement in the Phagan murder mystery, as reported in The Constitution extra on Tuesday morning, was released from custody on Tuesday night and declared guiltless by the chief of police of that city.

George Peyton, chief of the detective force, who led the arresting party, has been discharged as a result of the arrest on the ground that he exceeded his authority in taking Bowen into custody.

Until nine or ten months ago, Paul Bowen lived in Atlanta, where his reputation was of the highest order, with employers and friends alike speaking well of him on Tuesday afternoon. His father and many relatives reside in Newnan, Georgia, and are counted among the most respected people in that part of the state. Mr. Bowen received a telegram late Tuesday night from his son in Houston announcing that he had been given his freedom.

Bowen Freed; Arrester Fired

The following account was provided by The Constitution's correspondent in Houston regarding the release of Bowen and the discharge of George Peyton:

Houston, Texas, Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 — Paul Peniston Bowen, a railroad clerk and former resident of Atlanta, Georgia, was arrested on Monday night by Chief of Detectives George Peyton, Detective Hilton, and Night Chief of Police Gordon Murphy for the purpose of an investigation that departmental officials believed would connect him with the murder of Mary Phagan, aged 14 years, in Atlanta. He was released from custody late Tuesday afternoon by order of Chief of Police Ben S. Davison.

Chief Peyton was discharged on Tuesday afternoon as a result of the arrest.