New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-18
NEW ARK JUDGE SUICIDE
P4ST EXPOSED N SPEECH.
Personal attack by Politician
Thought to Haze Caused Act.

As result it is thought. Of attacks mace upon
his personal life and character in the heat OF Ihe
political campaign, Judge David / HoWen OF "a, "a,
Fsrst Criminal Court Newark. committed suicide
nv shooting himself twice in Branch BROOK Farh,
sn sbat civ. Yesterday morning The manner OF
his deed and the incidents connected Win il lldoe
Il one Of the most sensational IN the history .!
he city The spot which Judge Howeh seiec'eu
in the park TO end his career i NO. lat -,
where Pol.oe Chief John II. Adams, sn1ar1lne IN
der an Indictment committed suicide last year,
Ju6co Howell was al one time an EplScopai
elerryrnan in New York state
Jpdre Howell was the subject Of an attack ny
Under Sheriff Charles NJ Mason. the Real Dem
oorao~ candidate for Sheriff. in Newark last Tues
Gay night when The speaker referred TO lncloehlS
connected with the life OF the mag sTate wheh ne
was an Episcopal clergyman in Monticello n L
Masor-s attack upon Mr.. Howell was in crluclsm
Of Nayo- Jacob Haussling, who appointed MN,
and in the course Of his remarks the under sheri1
called attention to certified copy Of the RECORDS
81 the court in sullivan County. when showed
tbat Ny Howell had been convicted OF assault
and battery upon his wife. who divorced MN anu
Is now living at Springfield, y J. with her three
chi. 5re- In a speech the same hall on FRIDAY
night Judge Howell said he had in his possession
facts against Mason, and would shortly make
them rull.c
xy,r;ar7 Fenn a park enploye. the judge
enter the park yesterday morning and walk along
6 7s-f -75rnfra into one which formed half cir
Gle Benn said he thought the magistrate who
was 2 stranger TO him. acted peculiarly and ne
watched him. As Mr.. Howell reached the centre
az the circular path. Benn said, he drew re-
volver from his pocket and fired shot into the
right Size OF his head
The MAGISTRATE dropped TO the ground. and Benn,
thinking he was dead, started for assistance He
was returning with Patrolman Burke. Of the park
squad when he saw the judge raise himself and
crawl on his hands and knees to within reach Of
The revolver. which had fallen from his hand Be
fore the tuo men could reach him, Mr. Howell fired
the second shot and dropped 10 the ground uncon-
s-fo15s Dr. r " Murray. Of the City Hospital
stat CHANGED 10 be il the immediate vicinity au-
fcnotIing and he did all he could TO save the
judges life The victim was hurried OF TO the
hospital Another patient was on the operating
table but the physicians turned their attention
70 the magistrate. one Of the bullets had circled
the skaI and lodged near the scalp and was easily
extracted. The other was imbedded in the brain,
ard the doctors dared not probe for it, II was
while the physicians were bandaging Mr.. HowelIs
lead that he died
HowaII's retirement from the ministry was at
tended Icy sensational developments, which came
when Samuel y. Greene. Of Monticello. started
divorce suit against his wife and named Howell
as th= correspondent. Greene's suit uncon-
tested. and soon after be got his decree Howells
wife also c.raine5 divorce ana moved 10 Haver-
straw with her three children Soon after Howell
withdrew from the ministry Mrs Greene became
Ms wife ard the couple lived in Newark. Greene
moved 70 stony Ford and married his cousin. Eliza
ceLl -futl ana May =. committed SGlcl-e
ny shooting himself in the cid Fifth Avenue Hotel,
IN -Ianhatran-
Since 1859. when Mr.. Howell moved 10 Newark.
he made great many friends and was looked upon
rs good fellow. but was frequently criticised for
his affiliations with the Democratic ring in New
ark When Mayor HaUssling OF Newark IN Jan
vary Tu1 forward Howell as his choice for appoint
uent iUdEe Of the lst Criminal Court storm
Of protest was aroused The movement against
HoEell was led by the Rev. DR.. Frazer. Of the
First Presbyterian Church, who appeared before
the Mayor with letter from Bishop Potter Of
New York concerning Howell Haussling paid no
attention 70 its contents. saying il was 'HoweUs
private affair
A distirg- gushing feature Il Judge HoweIIs tenure
Of office occurred when the Essex County Grand
Jury brought IN an Indictment against James r
Euzent. City Counsel Of Newark and at present
chairman Of the Democratic State Committee
charging him with conspiracy in primary frauds
j NuEens. Who IS NEPHEW Of ex-United States Sen
ator James Smith 5-. Howell and OBJ
rained warrant for the arrest Of Sheriff Frank
i. SCmner. Prosecutor Wilbur Mott and Benia-
min i Alrha. foreman # the grand jury and
president q the Essex County National Bank
charging -heu with conspiracy. Not satisfied with
5hiz. Howell held them in 5000 bail. Later Chief
tha- The action Of the judge ia issuing warrants
for conspiracy to indict before the courts had
passed upon the soUnGness Of the indictments was
disgrace tc the city. He censured Howell for
Ills lack Of knowledge Of the common law. Nj
gent is SIN under Indictment, having taken the
case 10 the supreme Court q writ Of certiorari
Before being made a police Judge Howell was
chairman Of the Democratic committee in Essex
County.