The Washington times., 1895-02-15
SURPRISE IN the HoWGATE CASE


1t May Be Caused by Testimony Concern.
ing His Assumed Name.
In defense OF Capt. Howgate, on trial be-
fore Judge McComas for embezzlement and
forgery, Gen. A. w. Greely was yesterday
brought to testify that he had been addressed
by his old associate the defendant, on Broad
way in New York three years ago, and there
was no apparent effort to conceal his where
abouts.
Mr.. A. s. Worthington, In opening the case
for the defense yesterday took his first op-
portunity to deny the charge that the defense
intended to cast any reflections upon the late
Gen. Albert j. Myer chief of the Signal Ser-
vice Bureau when Capt. Howgate was dis
bursting officer, or upon the late Leonard
Whitney, at that time with the Western
Union here.
Mr.. WorthiDgton said he expected TO show
that the check for $11 800 was made in the
legitimate course of the Signal Service busi-
ness, with Gen. Myers considerate approval.
and that the voucher was properly made in
the Western Union office, and Treasurer r.
81. Rochester's name as It appears there Is
not forgery. The money for the check was
paid to the Western Union, and OF course
could not have been converted to the defend
ants own use.
As to the charge that Capt. Howgate had
bCcH q luBitlfb No WOulu SHOW HC AoNoh
was 80. He would show that the defendant
went freely about New York for years, talked
with high government officials and was
never molested.
surprise likely to be developed in the
case 1s the reason the defense will give Tor
Capt. Howgate's assumed name. 1t is con-
jectured that an attempt will be made to show
that Its purpose was to escape the notice OF
some one other than the government detec-
tiyes.
Mr.. Worthington offered in evidence two
letters. One from e. w. Keightly. Auditor OF
the Treasury, was dated April 20, 1881. ad-
dressed to Capt. Howgate. 1t inclosed GER
titicate that he was not at that date indebted
to the United States on the books Of the Audi
tors office. The other from James s. Delano,
acting Comptroller, dated April 28 1881, and
addressed to Capt Howgate, late disbursing
officer OF the Signal office, informs him that
his accounts as discussing officer have been
settled and balanced.
Mr.. Birney wished to have the record of
the suit on Howgate's bond admitted In an
swer to these letters and for other uses.
There was an argument upon its admission
and Judge McComas ruled out the record.
Mr.. Worthington. In his opening address,
went the length OF banteringly assumed su-
periority, which has characterized his atti-
tude throughout the trial.
Morrison G. Wyman, New York book
uedieII lho HIst Witntss Ior LILO uoionSo, tcoti-
! fed that he knew Capt. Howgate In New
York as II. Williams, and had dealt with him
for seven years under that name. Gen. A.
w. Greedy, chief OF the Signal Bureau OF the
War Department, twice met Capt. Howgate
accidentally in New York about three years
ago. Capt. Howgate did not ask him TO con-
ceal the fact that they had met
Lieut.. David j. Gibson testified that he
talked with defendant at Sixth avenue and
Broadway. New York city In November 1889.
Then other witnesses testified that they had
known Capt Howgate In the book business
in New York as H Williams.