Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-27

HOWGATE CAPTURED
Arrested in New York City After a
Long Search.
he HAS BEEN FREE TWELVE YEARS
Circumstances Attending His Es-
cape From Custody Recalled.
HIS EZZLEM NTS
E HAS BEEN FREE TWELVE YEARS
HIS EMBE EZZLEM lie NTS

NEW YORK, September 27-capt. Henry
w. Howgate. formerly chief of the weather
bureau in Washington. was arrested In this
city today on the charges OF forgery ana
the embezzlenent Of $4,000. committed In
1875 and 1879
The arrest is the result OF a search which
has occupied the attention of the United
States secret service for over thirteen years.
After haviag searched nearly the whole
country for Howgate ex-Chief Drummond
received Information that the fugitive was
dealer in old books and pamphlets in
this city. Every book store was visited by
detectives. without success. Finally an Of
fcer was detailed to watch the auction
sales Tor Howgate. About two weeks ago
IL was suspected that the fugitive was keep
ing an old book store in the basement OF
No ~ 4th avenue. under the name of Har-
vey Williams. Not being sure of the mans
Identity, the authorities IN Washington
were asked TO send a man to this city who
was acquainted with Howgate. A clerk In
the War Department who had formerly
been associated with Howgate In the
weather bureau was sent here. He met
Hoxgate, but at first was ur certain about
his Identity. as the latter had changed con-
sderably in thirteen years.
After engaging him in conversation the
clerk at length became convinced that the
man was Howeate. and a warrant for his
arrest was procured from Commissioner
Mr.. Drummond served the warrant today
In person. He met Howgate coming out of
store at 4th avenue ana 10th street and
said; How are you, Capt. Howgateg"
The latter started. but. quickly regain
ing his composure. asked Mr. Drunnsond
what he wanted. The detective told him
he answered: "An right"
Howgate's Escape I'm 1852.
Night had fallen; the streets were cleared
OF the crowds; social callers had settled
themselves in comfortable parlors, and the
big audiences that the fine weather and ex-
celent attractions had drawn to the vari-
Gus theaters were just becoming immersed
In the interest of the performances when
the news was rushed through the city that
Capt Howgate had escaped Ii was little
less than remarkable how rapidly the in
formation spread. 1t seemed to be in the
atmosphere. permeating every group and
all gatherings. BY half-pa O'Clock il was
the topic In the hotels; people talked about
AZ over backs Of theater chairs and then dis
cussed 1t more at length between the acts.
Street cars. later on. held Howgate meet
ings. and lots Of people sat up all night and
wondered how he managed IL.
Ii was most surprising. this general and
widespread interest, when one knew the
man and the position he had occupied here
He was well liked. universally known and
among a big coterie OF influential friends he
was loved to the point. almost, OF idolatry.
Led n Double Life.
For several years he had led a double do
mestic life in Washington. But a few
squares away from the home that contained
his devoted wife and the daughter who was
to cling to him so determinedly I'm the dark
hours to come he supported a woman In
luxurious style. When the crash came and
the exposure of Howgate's dishonesty was
followed by the appalling discovery Of his
domestic duplicity none OF his old friends
turned from him. IL easy 10 find the
reason. They had known all about IL long
ago. During his Incarceration i'm Jail they
stood by him and were devoted to him as
they were when he a free and ap-
parentiy honorable man. They never lost
an opportunity of praising Howgate's good
qualities to the skies. and so when the news
Of his escape from custody was made known
there was a feeling Of genuine gladness In
this community.
1t was the result of thoughtlessness per-
haps but nevertheless the fact remains
that pretty nearly everybody had a sneak
ing desire that Howgate never would get
caught.
A WeIl-Laid Plot.
To briefly sketch the story of his escape
necesstates the elimination Of many strik-
ing parts OF a wonderfully well-made plot.
but enough can he told to convey some idea
of IL.
After Capt. Howgate's peridy had been
made public. and his unsuspecting wife
learned that the charming residence the
east side of 18th next the corner Of @
street northwest, which nestled back in a
well-kept yard, and seemed TO shrink back
still further under its broad rerandas was
the house which her husband had built for
Nellie Rurrill fopk Of A.
and made IL the residence OF herself and
her daughter. Nettie Burrill driven from
the dainty nest, took up her abode else
where. but was frequently away from
Washington for long periods. Mrs and Miss
Howsate had been living at the 18th street
house for some time and public interest in
the Howgate sensation had quieted down.
The peculation of the signal corps funds:
the details OF the Burrill Intimacy; the
pruirency of the entire expose had been dis
cussod and digested and the hero Of it all
was in the District jail under the immediate
eye of Warden Crocker and the authority
OF marshal OF the District Mr.. Henry. A
momentary awakening of gossip had been
occasioned by Capt. Howgate's Indictment
and his arraignmcnt to plead TO the charges
against him, and then the public turned 10
other themes for morbid delectation.
Neffic Bnrriirs Assistance.
But the willy captain himself and his
never-failing and devoted paramour. Nettie
Burrill. were exercising their intellects most
vigorously. She was not pretty. but there
was an indefinable attractiveness about her
that made people who met her on the
street wonder who she was. There was
something of quaint, pitiful smile ever
her face.
She held her slender figure stiffy. and
walked with a quick, nervous tread, look
ing neither to the right nor the left. But
in conversation she expanded like an orchid.
She was brilliant and witt, in the higher
sense OF the word. She had read much and
read carefully. an1 sFe was startlingly
original I'm her ideas. She was full Of con-
tradictions. yet interesting in them all. and
she Was utterly AMI iIrevocahly the slave
of Cant Howgate. When the trouble that
his dishonesty and her attractiveness had
brought about overwhelmed him she set
all her intellectual DC wers at work TO cora
pass the m cans OF his deiN cry, and she
did her work well There was little doubt
az the time Of Boweates disappearance
that his daughter had been no small factor
In IL, but this has never been established.
That Nettie Burrell formulated the plans
. pl arr. ueed fhe syenuee of that