Norwich bulletin., 1913-11-13
Drug or Liquor
 the Inspiration
POSSIBLE EXPLANATION OF
 HoWARTH's STATEMENT.
ABOUT PUTNAM FIRES
Line of Defense Indicated by Cross Examination-Mrs. Bennett Tells of His Proposal of Marriage to Her.
Especial to The Bulletin )

l Willimantic, Nov. 12-The first in l tIma tlon of a possible defense in the Howarth arson case became apparent during Wednesdays testimony. At | torney Harvey in his cross examina- l ton of Mrs. Bennett, seemed to de- l sire to bring out so far as was pos sfble, the fact that Howarth was in l fact her attorney and that he intended 1 to go west on bona fde business for her.
 It also appeared that the defense might endeavor to show that How l arth's alleged statement This hand set all the Putnam fires" was given under the influence of cocaine or liquor l and was subsequently, retracted. Both the woman detective, Mrs Ben nett, and State Policeman Hurley, came out of their cross examination smiltngly, without discredit, in spite of long gruelling by Attorneys liar Yey and King. An attempt by the lat ter to discredit Hurley's testimony by forcing him to compare his written notes with the stenographer's excerpt Of evidence was stopped by the court. Counsel Knew About crinkIy Paper. Much time was consumed in an at tempt to mix up the witnesses in re- gard to the cocktails and wine served at Mrs. Bennett's home, but the results were seemingly nil
 Attorney Harvey's familiarity with the fact that ''crinkly" paper was wrapped around such bottles raised a laugh which called for action by the sheriff
 Two More Dictaaraph Witnesses.
 At the close of the afternoon ses- sion two more dictagraph witnesses were introduced by the state, who tes- tif1ed to admissions by Cain in How arth'S presence at the Brooklyn 1ail September 11th and furnished the only excitement of the day.
 How the Prisoners Appear. Howarth begins to show signs of the strain in his features, and appears to have lost flesh. His fancee was again absent
 Cain expressed himself as very hopeful as to the outcome of my part of the proceedings" and shows more cept1on. The promised sensation by the state has not yet been sprung.
 Mrs. Bennett. Evidence.
 Mrs. Bennett resumed the stand. at the opening of the morning session for cross examination by Attorney Harvey.
 She had visited the jail in Brook lyn she testified. several times since the conversations of September 9th and 10th. on the invitation of Mr. Hur ley. Did some writing in connection with this case on the first visit and believed she wrote also on her sec ond visit. Had heard Cain talk at the jail in Mir Hurley's presence since the 10th of September but had had no conversation with him.
 During the course of the trial sho has come back and forth each day in an automobile with MT. Hurley and Attorney Back. Mr. Hurley had spent the night at her home in Dan ielson each night, and they had talked nf hoI made no comparison of their notes.
 Letters to Howarth.
 Questioned as to her letters to How arth, she said the first one was writ ten May 18th. Witness identified a post card from herself to Howarth June 17th and 26th a letter of June 18th, another of July 14th, one of July 20th, July 28th, Aug. 5th, Aug 18th Aug. 18th, Aug. 25th, Aug. 26th and Sept. 9th. She also identified the wis iting card left at Howarth's office on the occasion of her first visit The card had writing on the back of it.
 Marriage a Business Proposition.
 Howarth at one time said he thought 1t was time for him to settle down and get married and then asked her If she would consider marriage as 2 business proposition Witness changed the subject on that occasion. Howarth
 
 had been an older man, she would have thought him eager to marry her At the same time he was making statements about other girls. about the fires and so forth, Witness did not think Howarth considered her q model woman The only reason he had for so thinking was that she desired him to engage in burning the shafthouse-
 Witness denied that she was the first to mention the candle method of burning buildings. or that there was any magazine or paper in her home describing the method, nor had she any model of the sort at any time in her home
 Never Came Uninvited.
 Howarth never entered her home without an invitation either by tele- phone. letter or word of mouth. She was continually after him to get him to the house.
 His Price Was High.
 No price was ever set for the burn ing of the shafthouse, though Howarth mentioned S10,000 at one time, and said his price was high He showed no reluctance at any time to discuss the subject, and was eager to do the work for her.
 Witness never told Howarth rhe size of the shafthouse, At their last conversation, on the Fist of August, lie said He was SIlll WilIInS to go west with her.
 Said He Set Every Fire in Putnam.
 On one occasion defendant acted as though something was on his mind. She said she was afraid he had cold feet. Defendant had told her he set every fire in question in Putnam, but had not explained how each one was set. He never denied to her that he had set the fire. but wouldn't talk about 1t any more. Offered no ex- cuse at any time te get away from that admission.
 An Imaginary shafthouse.
 Witness told Hewarth she under stood mining laws. She had actually been west in Denver, but made no deals there. MT. Hurley and she chose an imaginary building in the west for use in their plans, so that HoWarth could not actually see it.
 On redirect examination the witness testified that Mr. Hurley stayed at her home nights because he did not wish to be seen in Danielson and Put ham,
 There was one bottle of cocktails and one of wine; each was about half