Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-10-12
HOWGATE IS CAPTURED.
FOR TWELVE YEARS A FUGI-
TIVE FROM JUSTICE.
Accused of Stealing 100000 From
the Government While Chief or
the Signal Service at Washington
Escape and Subsequent Remark

the Signal Service at Washington
Escape and Subsequent Remark
able Career.
Captain Henry W. Howgate, formerly Dis
| ,ursing Officer OF the United States Signal
| Service, who used his official position TO en-
oezzle about $685. OF Uncle Sans money,
and since 1882 has been a fugitive from JUS
| ice, was arrested a few days ago in New
York City. THIS arrest is the cul-
nination of more than twelve years
Of unceasing efforts on the part
Of United States authorities to appraheni
i him, and marks the close of the career otone
of the most picturesque and interesting
criminals in official history. During the
twelve years since this man escaped from
the hands OF justice by climbing out o.
back window OF his house, IN washington,
D. c., while the Sheriff waited in his parlor,
the Secret Service has been untirinS in It's
efforts to capture him.
And after all these twelve years OF IN
wearied and expensive search, Captain low
gate WAS az last discovered in New York
City, where. for five or six years, he has
been living the quiet and peaceful life OF
dealer in second hani books and Old
pamphlets. Under the innocent name OF
Harvey Williams, he has attained some
prominence in this obscure and musty buSt-
ness He had an establishment in the
known to book worms and students or
meteorology and old magazine literature.
He has lived for four years a quiet and in
offensive private life with q young ana pretty
woman wAom he called his wife at No. 195
West Tenth street. within sight Of the tall
tower surrounding Jefferson Market Police
Court. No family was over better spoken OF
than were the Wiliamses by their nelSh5ors
in the old Ninth Ward.
When he was captured Captain HowgGte
expressed no surprise. He said he had eI'
pected capture for years. H aide1 that he
had como to New York because he thought
It the safest place in the United States Tor
one in his position to hide in. He ought TO
know, for he has cOvere1the Continent slnc3
his escape in his efforts 70 find q secure re-
| treat The story Of his life IS a romance.
Captain Henry W. HOwgate, the once dis
tinguIshed officer in tae United States Army
led the HoEgate expedition into the Arctic
Sea and was made Chief OF the Signal Ser.
vice upon his return in 1873. He IS sixty
two years old now. miserable, broken
down man.
Howgate resigned his commission in the
United States Army in 1890, and at the death
Of General Myer announced himself as a
candidate for the Office OF Chief SIGNAL OIL
Ger. At the time he YVES very popular man
| and was considered honest. He was
Michigander and once was postmaster al
Rome, Mich.
A Iiaison with dashing young adventure
ess was the cause of HoWgate's downfall,
which was preciptated by discoveries ma tG
by General Hazen aftera Washington news
paper had published rumOr5 ABOUT his al
ministration as discussing officer.
Howgate fed from Washington April 16,
1881, and he was not arrested until October
of that year, when he was found at Mount
Clemens, Mich, where he had been laid up
with sctatica.
He was first charged with embezziin9
$40, 900, but the amount grew with invest
CATION of his accounts, until 1t was estab-
Iished that he had squanderel between
$500. 600 and 800, 600 OF money stolen from
the Government. In spite Of this HOwIato
was released on ball. AMI It was runOrod
that his tniquity was shared by Others, AMI
that to protect them he might never be tried.
Color to these institutions was given in
the sudden Disappearance OF HOWgato. AMI
It was thought that he had forfeited his bail
and fed the country, but he went to Wash
:ngton and was put in inil. He had been in
New York with the woman TO whom be owed
his disgrace.
In spite Of repeated warnings, the Off 'ials
favored the prisoner in an extraOrit n2ry
way He was often allowed to leave tho
prison in charge Of an officer. AMI ran up
large bill for carriage hire, which was the
subject of a lawsuit.
April 10. 1882, on an application from
Howgate, Judge A. Wylie, OF the Supreme
Court of the District of Columbia, issued an
order by which HOWgate was able TO leave
prison in charge OF Court BaiIif Doin@.
Howgate's excuse TO Ju la,o Wyiie was that
he wished to 90 to GIT Thirteenth street
Northwest. TO see his daughter. who had lust