The Washington times., 1894-06-19
DIR. HOWARD AND THE sPEcnrs.
Hs wants Father and Son Arrested and
Does Not Fear Prosecution
for Himself.

Does Not Fear Pr01ecuet0o
for Himself.
Aspscial dispstch from Montreal SAYS: Dr..
CRANKY 8. Howard, who ID wanted by tho
American authorities on charge Of swind-
ling Mrs. Joseph Il. specht out Of $4,000, has
been In Montreal for some time living quietly
With his wife. There IS a strange story Of
hypnotic influence mixed up with the affair,
and when saw Howard he told me Of his
experience since his hurried flight from Gun
ston Hall.
He said that in 1885 he and his wife passed
through this city on their way to England.
Al Quebec his right ankle was crushed and
he was brought back to Montreal. Here he
was laid up for six weeks. In 1890 Col. Price
lectured on the new doctrine, and he was
sent for to assist him. His success was such
that on his return to Montreal he received
letters suggesting that he should organize a
home for students Of their religion and the
aged and sick.
He was to teach Brahminism as 1t was be-
fore the days OF Buddha, as preserved by q
certain sect Of priests in India. Mrs. Specht
having offered to furnish funds, he went to
st. Louis and was given $500 without any
condition rs to is application or control. 1t
was an absolute gift. and copies Of letters
here now prove the truth Of this. The money
was spent on the purchase and improvement
OF fiye-acre park, with houses, adjoining
Gunston Hall. He claims that all was going
well until few months ago, when Specht
and his son endeavored to steal from Mrs.
Specht the right to the Gunston Hall prop
erty.
. He met Mr. and Mrs. Specht and son at the
st. James hotel, Washington. on May 10,
where Specht tried to force his wife to give
up her claim. Failing in this, he locked her
In har md xr-ttt. lie
warrant charging her with lunacy. Howard
was to be called as a material witness, but it
was soon seen that before Jury who knew
nothing Of the strange religion Mrs. Specht
had accepted the doctors testimony Of his
oaths and obligations she had taken would
surely result in verdict in accordance with
the charge of lunacy.
In order to save Mrs. Specht he departed
for Canada. Mrs. Howard was left behind
with all the archives Of the order, containing
private letters. obligations oaths. ETC., which,
IL made public, would create no end of trou-
BILE. Mrs. Howard finally arranged for the
burial OF most Of the archives in four strong
boxes, and then, after repeatedly Disgusting
herself and suffering hardships on the jour
ney, reached Montreal.
But the Spechts were at work, said Howard,
and a man received $3.50 to find the archives,
which were dug up and banded over to young
Specht. Having received word that the ar
chives were going to be made public, Howard
says he wired his lawyer. Capt. r. Sprague,
Of st. Louis, to restrain all publication, as the
letters were stolen property.
Howard wired his lawyer. 'Under no con.
sideration delay the arrest Of father and son.
Goods stolen from your custody and offered
for sale. Stop this thing at once"
Shortly after the Doctors arrival here he
was known as ". Wilson. This was done in
order to better communicate with his wife
and lawyer.
"Have you any reason to expect arrest?"
asked Of Howard. mo, none whatever; as
far as l know there has been no legal action
taken against me in the United States nor are
there any grounds for action"