The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-08-18
HOW GATES CASE.
How His Arrest Was EHectcd---Facts
brought Out by the gpvestiga-

brought Out by the Gnvestiga-
ton.
Mr.. A. b. Newcomb, special agent of the
Department of Justice, gives the following
account of the arrest of Captain Howgatc
f" He received last Thursday warrant
issued by the Government against Capt.
Howgatc, charging him with embezzling
about $4,000 while in the Signal Service
here. That night Mr.. Newcomb started for
Michigan where he knew Capt. Howgatc
was, though he was not able to locate him
except in circuit oftwenty miles Arriving
at Detroit, Saturday morning, he sent as
sistants in divers directions, but was him
self fortunate enough to go TO the exact
spot, which was place called Mt. Clemens,
twenty-five miles from Detroit, whittier
Capt. Howgate had gone, ill with rheuma-
tism, to seek relief from the salt and sui
phur baths The arrest was made Saturday
afternoon while Capt Howgate was in bed,
reading and alone, his wife and daughter
being at that time absent from the house.
The warrant was read to him, when, realiz-
ing his arrest, he called his physicians,
who said the patient could not be removed
for week. Mr.. Newcomb agreed to that,
provided cot for the accommodation of his
assistant should be placed in Capt. How
gates room. This decision had the effect of
changing the doctors mind and he at once
decided that removal would not endangcr
the health of Capt. Howgatc. Accordingly
the captain, with his wife and Mr.. New
comb, left Mount Clemens Sunday and
arrived here Tuesday night. They imme-
diately proceeded to Capt. Howgate's house,
on Thirteenth street, where he now is
under physicians certificate that he can
not be removed His wife is with him,
as if in Jail and under the same sur
VIGILANCE, Deputy Marshal Stahl and
and an assistant being constantly on hand.
There is no disposition to screen Capt.
Howgate because of his position, though
| army officers are deeply mortified at the
accusation against him, but he is allowed to
stay at home simply because of his enfcebled
condition. After his arrest Capt Howgate
said he had an agent in Washington to take
care of his monetary interests and who sent
him all the news, and therefore he was not
SO much surprised at Mr.. Newcomb's up.
pearance. He said he could explain the
whole matter, though he did not know
what the charges were, which is not very
| probable, rs the entire warrant, containing
the charges in detail, was read to him ut
the time of his arrest. When brought before
United States Commissioner Grcaves at De-
troit, his bail was fixed at $4,000, which
shows what was then thought of the gravity
of the charge. 1t cannot be surmised, of
| COuTSc, WIub HUlOuub VI Ddll Will DC uc-
manded here, but 1t is known that the
Government can still issue half dozen
warrants against him. adding to cmbezzlc-
ment the crime of forgery. The offenscs
charged were all committed under the late
Gen. Myer, whose successor Capt. Howgatc
aimed to be.
| Rich Developments.
The Post to-day has the following:
"The Investigation of the accounts of Capt.
Howgate is still progressing, and those con-
Quoting the examination feel satisfied that
they have discovered sufficient to show, not
only malfeasance in the discussing office of
the Signal Service but enough to warrant
and sustain criminal prosecution. They de-
clare that they have found vouchers raised
from the original amount and nothing to
show for what reason it was done, or what
became of the increase. Recently, in en-
aiming the papers that passed through Capt
Howgates hands, they came across two
vouchers which have significant bearing
upon that officials conduct in some other re-
spects. Publication has lately been made of
some of the Captains intimaces with females
outside of the pale of matrimony, and it
seems even that some of these found the way
into the Signal Service fund, and drew an
allowance from the Government appropria-
ton. Among the vouchers has been found
one in which Miss Nellie Burrill was paid
$3.50 in the lump for services rendered.
This is the young lady that figured in the
last sensation with the Captain, and whom
he provided with elegant quarters on n
prominent street inthis city, but upon the
disclosure being made he transplanted his
pet to another garden and brought his leg
itimate family to occupy the bower he had
so beautifully adorned for her, By this
step 1t was sought to counterfeit the scandal
and show that his own family occupied the
premises reported to DO enjoyed by his
mistress. The examiners have been unable
to find what service Miss Burrill rendered
the Government or when and how she was
employed. She was paid 1850 for services
rendered." and no person except Capt. How
gate knows the nature of the service. He
says that he can explain all matters per-
tainining to his official duty.
There was also found another peculiar &C.
count. At one time the Captain is said to
have made u favoritc Of Miss Massic, and
upon her shswered most convincing proofs
of his Partially, which brought their names
together with the gossipers. This second &C.
count is for services rendered by Miss Mas
sic for nine months, during the last year of
the Captains official life, at SIS per month.
What was the nature of the work performed
by the young lady no record about the Of
flee discloses, neither can the employees
furnish the desired information, as they
have no recollection ofany such person, but
J nevertheless she managed to secure 1875 of
the Government money for "services rem
dered.
National Hotel Arrivals.
W. L. Wilson and wife, Troy, Ala Miss