1. "The Surprising Dr. Bowen"
Posted by Edisto on Jul-4th-02 at 11:21 AM

Last night, I was rereading Dr. Bowen's testimony at the preliminary hearing, and I noticed a rather surprising response to one question: 
"Q.  Had you been in the habit of visiting the Borden house?"
"A.  Very seldom, except for business, financial or professional."
What do you suppose he meant when he said "financial"?  Did he go there to collect his bills?  Did he go over to give Andrew money to put into savings for him?  Did he borrow money or get financial advice from Andrew?

That's a good question, Edisto.  I've wondered what he meant, too.  But since we don't have any source material to turn to about it, I just let it go.  He could have meant be bought eggs off of Andrew. 

I also find it interesting that Dr. Bowen says he was rarely in their house, but it was known that he was a friend to them and they socialized.  Neighbors that are friends, and he never went in their house except on business?  I believe him, but it sounds strange.

I don't know of any financial involvement between the two, but there may very well have been. If the doctors of that period are like the doctors of today, they probably would have had money to invest.

Andrew being a banker and a real estate whiz would be a handy guy to know.

That is a good question, Edisto.  My supposition is that Dr. Bowen would probably go to Andrew about investments and such.  But, it makes me wonder if Andrew and Abby would go across the street to visit with the Bowen's or it was just a once in a blue moon kind of deal?  Apparently, they were friendly neighbors, but, how friendly were they as friends? 

(Message last edited Jul-7th-02  2:38 AM.)

Yes, the investing advice makes a lot of sense.  And medical problems could also be 'business'. 

We know Dr. Bowen escorted Lizzie to church when the elder Bordens were out of town, and Fall River's tongues were wagging. 

Can we all search around and post EVERYthing we can find about Dr. Bowen...HERE?

Should something like that be done on the characters' part of the site - if possible?  Or if not possible, should a new thread be started?    "Everything you always wanted to know about Dr. Bowen but were afraid to ask?"

  Yes, sounds like it would be a fun read, that old Bowen! 

Well, I kinda liked the title, and there were only like 4 posts before I asked, (but now there's more)...
Let's leave it up to Edisto.
It's her topic

BTW:  DO we have a "Characters" section on here?  Huh?

I haven't any problem with using this thread to expand on Dr. Bowen.  I had thought about something similar, but it kinda smacks of handing out school assignments.  Wouldn't it be useful to have various people "adopt" a Borden character and put together everything he/she could find out about that person and post it?  Of course, it might make for some very long posts.  Rereading the transcript of the Prelim the other day, I noted that Dr. Bowen took out his specs at one point and put them on so that he could see an exhibit better.  Not surprisingly at his age, he apparently suffered from presbyopia.

Boy, you sure do pick up on very fine points!

I must have read the Prelim. 3 or 4 times and YOU'RE still Surprising me...like with Mrs. Dr. Chagnon.

Too bad YOU weren't working on the case in 1892 & 1/2 !  We'd have more insights...

[edit:  uh oh, I can't spell, again today]

(Message last edited Jul-7th-02  9:30 PM.)