The evening world., 1908-10-17
David T. Howell, of Newark,
Shoots Himself After Defy
ing Opponent.
CALLED WIFE -BEATER.
Last Speech Defense of His
Record Attacked by
Under "'ierih.

The bitter political fight in Newark
resulted in another tragedy to-day,
when Judar David I. Howell. of the
First Criminal Court formerly an Epis-
copaliau clergyman. and one OF rhc
bes; known men in tive city. shot him
self twice in the head in Branch Brook
Park He was taken to the Ci;y Hos
.pual. where he died on the operating
,tahlc % Els.
Hor-. picked as the scene for his
FuIcide y spot in the park within n few
yards OF where Chief Of. Police Adams
ishot and killed himself a year ago
ADAMS committed suicide because OF do
solopments in the fight between the
Police Department ana Sheriff Sommer
/ News OF the attempt ~ suicide Of
Judge Howell spread ;hr,ugh the city
with the rapidly of lightning. A great
crowd gathered in the park and another
crowd gathered al the City Hall. The
Haussl!nc adheren:s maintain that
Howell was driven % se,G-destructlon
by attacks made upon him by Under
Sheriff Mason, who was sued on a libel
charge by Mayor Hausslns a few days
ago.
Defender of the Mayor.
After leaving the ministry Howell en-.
tered upon the practice of law. He be-
came Chairman of tile Democratic
County Committee and was also active
In secret society circles, being High
Chief Ranger of the State Council Of
the Independent order of Foresters.
He was a strong advocate of Mayor
Eaussling and when the latter was
elected he appointed Howell Judge of
the First Criminal Court. The Sommer
faction ATTACHED Howell because he was
divorced man. In the long and bitter
controversy between the Hausslng and
Sommer factions In Newark Judge How
ell was a consistent and able defender
OF the Mayor.
Fight Bitter and Long.
His last political act was "A defense
of Mayor Haussling, made last night
at a big mass-meeting in the New
Auditorium. There was nothing in
his language or demeanor at that time
10 indicate that he contemplated COM
hitting suicide.
The batteries OF the Sommer people
have been trained upon Judge Howell
ever since last spring. when James r.
Nugent, City Counsel Of Newark and
now Chairman of the State Demo-
cratic Committee, was indicted for
election frauds upon evidence fur
nished by Sheriff Sommer and Under
Sheriff Mason. Mr.. Nugent promptly
brought charges of conspiracy against
Sheriff Sommer and the under-sherif
before Judge Nugent, who issued war
rants for their arrest
FF-t, Int 20 tI
on the stump started a month ago and
have been growing more viruent day by
day Under Sheriff Mason. now an ad-
herent OF The Real Democracy" has
made charges against Mayor Hsussling
that resulted in suit against him for
criminal libel. He also charged publicly
that Judge Howell was wife-beater
Challenges His Accuser.
Judge Howell was one OF the speakers
at the big hall at the New Auditorium
last night. lie eoquently defended
Mayor Housings Administered n, and,
speaking of the charges that had been
made against him personally, he said
III we had 10 examine the record OF
the Under Sheriff of this county we
would have TO exclude all men under
sixteen This man-he calls himself
gentleman-I am ready to meet this
man in the presence of witnesses any
time, Just want to ask him three or
four questions.
81 would like TO meet him and so be-
, fore the pastor of ST. Patrick's Cathe-
dral, the rector Of Trinity Church. the
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church
and Rabbi Leucht. All ask is for such
a meeting in the presence of witnesses
and then ask me II this man is Mt for
consideration.
Mud singing is against my princi-
pies, and am not singing II now. Let
this man meet me next Friday evening
(Continued on Second PaEe)