The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-02
MRS. HOWELLS HUSBANDS
MIR. HOWELLs N4RROW ESCAPE FROM
DEATH ny POISONING.
Divorce IN Boston, Divorce In New York,
and Divorce In san Francisco-starr Kings
Chsir Made = Cloak for Iniquities.

b. Howell for divorce. pending In the Fifteenth
District Court. presents strange, eventfu his
tory The defendant came to this city from
Missouri in 1868 He was engaged rs cashier
for tho several Wholesale firms of Psbury
Co.. and settled up the extensive business OF
these establishments on their retiracy year or
two ago. Shortly after his arrival in San Fran
cisco he became an attendant ut Grace Church.
and became acquainted with Mrs. Lizzie Parker
Northrop leading singer in tho choir whom
he married in April 1870. Howell had three
daughters by n previous marriage and Mrs.
Northrup had two boys and. rs far rs was
known Mt the time, one daughter. Howell be-
ing in comfortable circumstances. established
his family in pleasant home In Clay street
Two children were the issue Of this marriage.
In the spring OF 1875 Howell was driven to
distraction by the frequent receipt OF postal
cards accusing him OF undue familiarity with
the wife Of Capt II. II. Berry. Howell had Il
casual acquaintance with Capt Berry and his
family aud Immediately on the return Of Capt.
Berry to port he sought him out and submitted
the postal cards for his inspection. Strange TO
Say. the Captain found a number Of similar mis-
svcs. in the same handwriting. awaiting his
return. at the office Of Kentfeld 4 Co. Their
tenor was 60 excite his suspicion and innamc
his ire against Howell.
There was evidently plot afoot to incito
sassinution. and Howell was in deep distress to
discover his unknown enemy. Finally an un-
guarded expression gave him the suspicion
that the malicious missves cmanatcd from his
own dwelling. lie taxed his vito with knowl-
e1gn of thcir origin but sh" denied II. and as
the cards were discontinued Howell became
In tho moan time Capt Berry was equally cN-
nspornted and inspired with n disposition TO
shoot nut 90 pref rrcd the author of the postal
cards TO Howell as proper target About a
year subsequently an anonymous letter. with
sinister desln was received from the same
person who had transmitted tie postal cards
u was written on paper borrowed nom The
edged and folded in n peculiar mnnncr. When
Howell began To- invcstiRatc. Mrs. Howell hnde
the govorness. For Coils sake destroy the
rest " thnt paper, for Howell il tracing II up.
The govern - did not destroy the paper. but
She did not understand thc import Of Mrs.
iowe.is anxiety M the time. and said nothing
but since ihe irohhle mas deNelpprd ~ tfu"
character. the coVcrn'- IS has couscientously
come forward with the peculiar paper and
made Der affidavit TO the circumstances here
Howell continued Ignorant Of the treechcry in
lls own household up iu june. 49,. On Saiur-
day, tar 2 of that month Mrs. Howell secretly
fled 81 declaration of homestead. and sued for
divorce on Oh groun Of ndut'p on thc sun
seated az iha breakfast table Howell was taken
violently ill.,. Ills s)mlton w're hurn.n- n
ret Kings. lie took To- bis l.'l. aud Will. b"
was still writing in distress Mrs. Howell W nj
Before her departure She cafcssrd tn foyer Il
brow Of her husband. kissed him tenderly. and
s9oth'rsly sail: You will be better. darling,
Alter a severe struggle. Howell recovered.
nnd on u" following day he was able to b''
nbroal. II" htd nn sooner reached his planc II
huS!u, than ho WIS ryed with the notice ~
10 Iii home. and found HAT Mr. Howell hal
disanp""Trd i,ins ,n. tw2 Cfrcp ani ieM-
Of the value # about s10ln
Howell sought h's PHYSICIAN and was told
that biz sNston ha been racked by dose OF mr.
sonic When sufficiently recovered from the
Clrctg ol me, pois1n'nE,, Howell consulted