Putnam patriot., 1913-11-28
HOWARTH TAKEN
Entered States Prison Monday
Served with Disbarment Proceedings at
 Jail

Jail
 Frank k. Howarth, the young Put nam lawyer sentenced by Judge Will Hams of the superior court to not less than eight nor more than fourteen years in states prison after he had plead guilty to statutory arson and to burning two buildings, was taken to the States prison nj Wethersiield hon- day morning.
 On Saturday Howarlh was served with notice of disbarment proceedings which have been begun against him. The notice was signed by States Alt torney Charles E. Searls and served by Sheriff Sibley. Howarth has 20 days from the lth day of December 10 an. swer.
 sheriff Sibley and his prisoner left the jail Monday morning and went by automobile to the Pomfret railroad sta ton. Here they took the express leav- ing Putnam at 9.27 for Hartford. The city of Hartford recently passed an or dinanee forbidding the taking of hand cufied prisoners on public conveyances through the city. It was therefore ne- cessary to take another automobile from Hartford to the prison. Howarth is the first prisoner to be taken through Hartford from Windham county since the ordinance went into effect.
 Arrangements for the reception of Howarth were made as soon as possi bic as he is n long term prisoner. Jo- seph Minervi who was sentenced to the prison for not less than one nor more than two years for shooting Frank Roza In Putnam IS still at the jail and although he received his sentence be- fore Howarth was sentenced Howarth preeedes him to he prison, Minetvi being kept at the jail until there Is ac- commodation for him.
 The incarceration of Howarth closes the drama at which the public has young attorneys office was a veritable hell-hole of iniquitous planning and scheming, and the "dealsn talked over between himself and his partner Cain, according to the latter's statements under oath, included arson, dynamtt- Ing, robbery and murder. And day after day as this wickedness was plan. ned and, in some instances carried out, these two young men went about the city as usual, greeted by friends and acquaintances, and planning to de- stroy the property and even the lives of those who greeted them. Both had sat in the superior court time and again and seen justice meted out to criminals while they themselvesiwere even ,more guilty than the prisoners at the bar.
 Howarth was lawyer. He knew that arson is hard crime for the state to prove. He took the position that unless the person perpetrating the crime was seen committing the act he could never be convicted. His reason ing has been proven fallncy ns his conviction shows. Although lie had the nerve to put the matter to test and believed in his own smartness to avert detection he was nevertheless an easy dupe when he fell into the hands of Mrs. Bennett, who carried out the | instructions of State Policeman Hur' ley and before she was through with Howarth had brought sforth, as she states, confession from his own lips I that his right hand set all of Putnam's fires.
 l l The story Of wiekedness and deprav- l ity unfolded to the public In the course of the trial Is stranger than,ahy fiction ever put into words from the imagina- ton of the most versatile story writer. Drink was not the foundation sof this young mans downfall. Automobiles played the prominent part in his un- doing. lie got his first car and began to live far beyond his means. The public wondered where the money came from so suddenly. The young ! man had worked as a clerk since ieay- ing school and had been engaged in the practice of law less than year. The glitter of easy living got him in it's tolls. Ease loving multimillion- aires he took for his ideals. He want ed money and was willing to do any thing lo get it. He reasoned that me' ney could not be made fast and hon estly. sHe wanted to make il fast and and was willing to take dishonest me- thods to get 1t. He built upon rot ten foundation and 1t let him down in- to pit Of darkness and despair What lesson to others criminally inclined is this young mans short life story It is enough 10 start wave Of reforma- tion among those with criminal ten- dencies who read, and If 1t be 20 then some good may come from lost oppor- tunity and wrecked life.
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