The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-03-02
nCwGaTS ACQUITTED.

The Case Not Rarred by the Statute of
Limitations, but Defendant Found Not
Guilty--The Prisoner, Remanded to Gus
tOdy on Account of the Remaining In
dictment, Danced for Joy-The jury
Sternly Discharged.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-Capt. Henry
W. Howgate was acquitted yes
terday of the charges of embezzling
S11, 800 from the government while
holding the position of Gisburing of
ficer in the United States signal serv-
ice, and of forging a voucher for that
amount 20 even up his alleged wrong
doing. The verdict was rendered
about 1oon, when the jury had been
locked up nearly seventy-two hours.
Capt. Howgate received the an
nouncement without emotion. but
after he had been taken to his cell be-
meath the court room he danced for
JOY in the realization that part of the
burden and anxiety of fifteen years
had been lifted from his shoulders.
In accordance with his statement
when the court adjourned Friday,
Judge McComas entered the court room
shortly after II o'clock yesterday norm
ing, and received word imme diately
that the jury had agreed. Some time
was spent in securing the attendance
of the attorneys in the case. Messrs.
Worthington and Wilson, of the de-
Tense, responded promptly, and at
noon Mr.. Jeffords, assistant district
attorney, made his appearance as the
representative of the government.
Capt. Howgate was brought from his
cell and took his usual seat beside his
faithful daughter, Miss Ida Howgate,
who was on hand promptly as usual.
Judge McComas had instructed the
jury to bring verdicts upon three dis
tinct points. The first of these was
whether the government was disbarred
from prosecuting Howgate because of
the statue of limitation. An affirma-
tive reference on this point would have
the effect of not only throwing out the
indictments charging forgery and en-
bezzlement, but of disposing in a like
manner of all the other indictments
against the defendant and thus set
ting him free.
Clerk Downs put the usual question
as to whether the jury agreed upon a
verdict, and when Foreman Irsell had
responded in the affirmative, he said:
What say you as to the issue upon
the plea of the statue of limitations
upon both cases upon trial? Do you
find for the United States or for the
defendant?"
For the United States" was the
answer, and Capt. Howgate turned q
shade paler.
VIVA say you as to the issue be-
tween the United States and the de-
PENDANT as to the charge of forgery
contained in the first indictment?n
continued the clerk. do you find the
defendant guilty or not guilty?7
Not guilty" was the response.
Two or three of the half-dozen spec
tators in the court room arose in their
excitement and moved towards How
gate with o~utstretched hands, but the
clerk had begun the next question and
they r~estraine d themselves.
"What say you as to the issue be-
tween the United States and the de-
PENDANT as to the charge of embezzle-
ment contained in the second indict-
ment? Do You find the defendant
guilty or not guilty?'
Not guilty" said the foreman.
Mr.. Worthington arose with the re-
mark that the defendant would be re-
manded to custody on account of the
remaining indictment. Judge McCo-
mas made no answer to the question,
but announced, somewhat sternly, that
The members of this jury are now dis
charged"
Howgate was then taken back to the
prisoners cage.