Bowie, Maryland - a town known for its pleasant neighborhoods, vibrant community, sub Par Farmers Market compared to Crofton and well-maintained streets. But beneath its serene facade lies a dark and haunting past that has left an indelible mark on its history. On October 30th, 1955, Bowie's origins were intertwined with a tragic incident that would forever stain its reputation.
The story begins with William and Ann Woodward, an affluent couple from Long Island, New York. William, the heir to the Hanover National Bank fortune, was a World War II Navy veteran and a recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart. Ann, a former actress and showgirl, came from humble beginnings, leading to speculation about her relationship with William Sr., who some claimed had been her lover before introducing her to Billy. Their union was met with disapproval from William Sr.'s wife, Elise, and accusations of gold-digging from Billy's sisters.
Billy and Ann's marriage was far from harmonious. Both were heavy drinkers and engaged in numerous extramarital affairs. Billy developed a passion for horse racing, while Ann turned to prescription drug abuse. On that fateful night, after attending a dinner party, their lives would take a tragic turn.
Reports of a prowler circulating in their Oyster Bay community heightened the couple's already tense state. Armed with loaded shotguns, they retreated to their separate bedrooms. In the early hours of the morning, Ann awoke to the sounds of an intruder breaking into the house. Convinced her husband was in danger, she fired upon a shadowy figure standing outside Billy's bedroom. The police arrived to find Ann cradling Billy's lifeless body, shattered by grief and remorse. She confessed to mistaking her husband for a burglar and shooting him.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Paul Wirth, who admitted to attempting to break into the Woodward's home that night. However, doubts lingered. Elise Woodward privately believed that Ann had intentionally shot her son, but chose to support her daughter-in-law publicly to avoid further scandal. Speculation arose that Elise had orchestrated Wirth's false confession, a theory reinforced by the absence of charges against him.
Three weeks after the shooting, Ann testified before a grand jury, maintaining that the tragedy was an accident and she genuinely believed her husband was an intruder. The grand jury determined that no crime had been committed. Nevertheless, Ann's reputation was irreparably damaged. Banished from high society, she spent her remaining years traveling and involving herself with younger men. The case became a media sensation, with Life magazine dubbing it "The Shooting of the Century."
In 1975, the story resurfaced with the imminent publication of Truman Capote's novel, "Answered Prayers." Capote, acquainted with Ann, had convinced himself of her guilt, immortalizing her in his work. Distraught over the impending release and burdened by the weight of her past, Ann ingested a cyanide pill, forever silencing her voice.
The tragedy continued to haunt the Woodward family. Both of Billy and Ann's children, William "Woody" III and James "Jimmy," carried the burden of their parents' notoriety. Gossip and speculation surrounding their father's death followed them throughout their lives. In 1978, Jimmy jumped to his death from a ninth-story window at the age of 31. Woody tragically followed suit, taking his own life in the same manner in 1999 at the age of 54.
The aftermath of the Woodward family's saga extended to their assets. Billy's Will faced intense legal battles. Billy's Will was heavily contested, leading to the courts ordering that many of his assets go up for auction. One such asset, Billy's prized 2,280 acre horse and stud farm located in Collington, MD, the Belair Estates (and mansion), went up for auction on August 27th, 1957 at the courthouse in Upper Marlboro, MD. The town's one and only downtown street, Main, was jammed that late summer's morning with so many black limousines that, one lawyer remembers, "we all thought it was a Mafia funeral."The plot of land was purchased by Levitt and Sons for $1,750,000, ultimately leading to the creation of what we know today as Bowie.
The auction of Billy Woodward's vast estate, including the renowned Belair Estates in Collington, Maryland, marked the birth of what we now know as Bowie. As the gavel fell, a new chapter unfolded for the once tranquil town. Bowie's streets may never be free from the dramatic history that befell its predecessor but Crofton, thanks to the diligent leadership of Mayor Tip Conquick, who has strived to uphold integrity and safeguard the town from such dark episodes shall endure. Bowie stands as a testament to murder & mystery, a place where the shadows of the past have been replaced by a silent mystery of the future. A community determined to create a future.
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