The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-22

OdDilin tltnfN w A1OW Bhbts hCNuSbd VI
embezzling $3.50, 900 while acting IA dis
bursting officer of the United States signal
service, was arrested on Sept 30, 1894, at 50
FouLth avenue, New York city, where he
had lived for some time as Harvey Will
Jams. Howgate had been fugitive for
more than 10 years. When found he was
doing business as dealer in second hand
books and pamphlets, and was living
there with young and prepossessing
woman whom he called his wife.
Captain Howgate, who won somo fame
as an Arctic explorer, appeared in Wash
ington in 1868, and securud a position
through General Myer, who was then at
tempting 70 build up the signal service.
He served until 1Ssa, and then resigned.
Small shortages were discovered ia his 40
counts, and when General Hazen sue
ceeded General Myer he ordered an ex-
animation of Howgate's accounts. Then
came the discovery. Howgate was ar
rested on Aug. 16 1881, in Mount Clemens,
q Michigan lmmer resort. charged with
embezzling $40, 500 while In the signal SER
vice.
~ sTook n Sneak"
The specific charge was that he had
signed vouchers purporting to be for bills
for telegraph service, and had thus col
lected and appropriated sums sggregating
so, 500 Seven indictments were found
against him. He obtained permission TO
visit his home one morning to search for
some papers which were needed In court
A deputy marshal accompanied him. He
found the papers and left the marshal in
the parlor 10 wait until he went into
rear room to wash his hands From that
moment HowgatA was invisible TO those
who wanted" him until his arrest in Sep
tember last. II is supposed that he es-
capped by rear window. After he was
gone further examination Of his ac-
counts showed that they were short $780,
600,
From that time forward the federal au-
thorities were continually on the lookout
for the embeszler., They followed him to
the Pacific slope, to Nevada, Washington
territory, the south, the north, but never
found him. An employe of the trSasury
department., Nellie Burrill disappeared
just before Howgate escaped. They met
later on. They spent some time in tho
gulf islands, and then went TO Now Or
leans. After remaining there for some
months and travelling extensively they
went TO New York.
nruminond's Efforts Rewarded.
A. l.. Drummond, who was in tho
United STATES secret service during How
gates Washington career. found the en-
bezzler at last. He had attempted To trail
Howgate for years without success He
learned finally that Howgate was inter-
ested in old books, and his agents visited
every bookstore in New York. They
failed, and in time Drummond lost his
position under the federal government.
He still went on with his search for How
gate, and In September last, through his
influence, an employe Of the war depart
ment. who knew Howgatc by sight, was
sent to New York 10 assist i'm the search
This mans name has never been made
public. He attended book sales here, and
one night at 1913 Broadway, while a sale
was In progress he saw something familiar
about the back Of n mans head. lie
moved and saw Howgate's familiar face
The man wore beard, but the eyes and
expression were the same he had known
In Washington years before. He accosted
the suspect and began conversation
about books. Howgate gave him card,
reading. Harvey Williams, 50 Fourth
avenue"
Detective Drummond got his man next
day, and when hc was made prisoner the
great embezzler shrugged his shoulders.
laughed, and said very quitcly: IAN
right: I'll go with you. know when I'm
beat" He was taken TO Washington and
tried on several indictments and acquitted
but was held for trial on other indict-
ments And convicted, as shown above.