davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04

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 I could have a political future before me. Everything was offered to me if 1 would only go along and follow the ordinary course of obedience to Mur- phy.
 But I decided when I became gov, ernor of New York to change my ways. I had always tried to be an honest man. There are some things that I do regret, but those things which l regret are the result of the association which I had found among these Tammanyites. who al ways trail around after a candidate after he has been elected, making him do their tricks and fulfill their evil business. They attacked my pri- vate fortune. I am worth probably $50,000 as the resuN of life of toll Murphy is worth millions Where did he get them?
 "I have So fears as to the result. I am not working for myself This is the cause of righteousness and truth"
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04
,MouEsT PULLS STRING FROM NECK AND THROWS PARTS
 AT REPORTERS.
IS HELD FOR KILLING GIRL
Whitman Declares Prisoner Is Not h. sane and Will Be Tried for Mur- der-Decsion Is Based Upon
 the Findings of Experts.

New York. Oct. 4.-Father Hans Schmidt. the priest who murdered Anna Aumueller, became frenzied at ,he coroners inquest into the death of his victim. rose from his seat rinned from his neck the rosary he had worn ever since his incarceration, tore it into many pieces and hurled them at the newspaper reporters sit ting half a dozen steps away
 The coroner's jury found him re- sponsible for the girls death.
 Schmidts outburst of temper oc- cured in the presence of jury of millionaires empaneled to conduct the inquest. The verdict was quickly found. It follows:
 "We, the jury, believe that Anna Aumueller came to her death on Sept. ?. 1913, at 6S Bradhurst avenue, at the hands of Hans Schmidt"
 Schmidt was remanded immediate ly to the Tombs without bail to await the action of the grand jury.
 Shonts and Astor on Jury.
 District Attorney Whitman, before the inquest, expressed the conviction that Father Schmidt was sane and consequently would be placed on trial for the murder of Anna Aumueller.
 Whitmans opinion, it is understood, is based on the finding reached by the four alienists who have examined Schmidt in the Tombs at Whitman's behest Their formal report will be made within few days.
 When Coroner Feinberg empaneled his jury of millionairos and began an inquest into the girls death only three portions of the body, the upper and lower parts of the torso and one leg had been recovered from the
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04
$7,0oo,ooo CONCERN TO
 FIGHT SUGAR TRUST

New Orleans. Oct. 4.-With A view of fighting the sugar trust, sugar planters of Louisiana have organized a $7,000,0O0 concern to control the output of the states molasses.
 CMore than half of the next crop has been pledged, and the company says four-fifths of it soon will be in hand. The product will be held for fair price. The planters as- sert the trust has injure1 the repu- tation of the states molasses by adulteration.
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04
MRS. REUTER- IS CONVICTED
Oil Men Had Bet Hundreds on the Acquitts of Woman Charged
 With Killing Husband.

Bartlesvile. Ok, Oct. 4.-The jury in the case of Mrs. Laura NJ. Reuter-. charged with the murder of her hus- band, prominent attorney at Tulsa. Ok, last year, returned a verdict of guilty. The jury recommended life Imprisonment.
 Many hundreds of dollars had been wagered on the verdict. Oil men had offered odds that the woman would be acQuitte.
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04

river. These were viewed by the jury.
 On the jury were Theodore P. Shonts, Vincent Astor, J. B. Green hut Mortimer Regenburg and other prominent men.
 A great crowd stormed the criminal courts building, where the inquest was held, but comparatively few were admitted to the courtroom Among the number who obtained seats were several women
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04
RAPS ARCHITECTURE.

?ittsburg, Oct. 3.-Asserting they would do well enough for heather temples or banks Bishop Neely scored churches built on the present tow. rambling architectural lines.
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04
BECKER APPEAL OCT. 1a.

Albany. N. r., Oct. 1.--The appeal of former Police Lieutenant Charles Becker of New York and the four gun men from the sentence of death for tse murder of Herman Rosenthal, the gambler, will be argued before the court of appeals on Oct. 13.
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04

Countess de Ia Rocca is the wife of tse charge d'affaires of the French embassy at Washington. The coun. tess is prominent in the social affairs of the diplomatic circle at the capital
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04
DEATH CHAIR IN NEBRASKA.

Lincoln, Neb.. Oct. 3.-The law abolishing hanging as a method of capital punishment and substituting the electric chair has gone into effect in Nebraska
The Prescott daily news., 1913-10-04
SLIT SKIRT BLAMED.

Joliet Ill. Oct. 3.-An epidemic of colds in Joliet was blamed on the slit skirt and the low-necked dress by the county W. C. T U. convention.
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07
The Arrests Made


 There were not half dozen people in the city that knew that any arrests were to be made and so quietly were they made that it was unknown to the public until some one came from the Superior court room and spread the news. Howarth was met near the bank building by Hur- ley W ho had worked untiringlY on the case, and invited to the Superior court room. When they neared the top of the stairs Howarth was informed that he was under arrest. He showed but little surprise and took the matter cooly. Hurley then entered the Su- perior court room where Cain was on duty and asked him 10 step into the bar library where he was informed that he was under arrest. As soon as some civil matters before the court were disposed of the accused were ta- ken in the court room and their cases adjourned until the October session. Howarth showed little concern, Cain s eyes filled with tears but he did not break down. They were taken to the police station. Howarth did mot try to raise bond. Cain did but was un- successful. Howarth whistlea and sang. Cain cried. Both were taken to iail in the afternoon. All sorts of rumors came from the jail regarding confessions and the department of the prisoners, but none of them have ever been verified. The public stood aghast when. they learned that two young men of good families, graduates of our High school, stood charged with set ting these fires that had so terrorized the community. 1t seemed impossible of belief Stories of dictagraphs, wo- men detectives, and many wild and improbable stories were in circulation and people asked one another how 1t could be possible for the two young men to do such thing and what mo- tive they could possibly have for it, if they did it. There has been much speculation as to the evidence in the possession Of the States Attorney and as to the outcome of the trial. Seldom has trial created such an interest in Windham county.
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07
Progress Made in the Trial Wednesday

Before court adjourned Wednesday evening onlookers began to realize that the state was just about to begin intro. ducing important evidence in the trial that up to this time hal seemingly been preliminary. When Mrs. Ioia Bennett of Danielson was called to the stand an air of expectancy swept over the court room. She was still ion the stand when court .adjourned and had only related three out of fourteen in- terviews she claims to have had with Howarth with the purpose of finding out if he had any connection with the Putnam fires RumoF5 that woman had been used in the case received it's first veriiieation.
 When court opened at l0.30Howarth came into the room with his counsel. He took notes during the day and in the afternoon drank frequently from The water tank a few feet from where he sits.
 Miss s. Elizabeth Clarke, Rev. C. F.. Bedard, and ]. E. Tatem took the stand in order and pIpefs were put in evidence to prove tille 10 property. l.. M. Nheaton told Of leaving his home for the fire when he heard the alaIm. He arrived on ine lO.b3 car. Lumber shed was ablazs when he ar- rived. Fire sfaIied under shed. Went through the plant al 7.i5 and every thing W $ nil right.
 Cross examined. Was no oil on noor over iumucr. Rhlfoad track nearby used for switching pafposes. Ralph l.. THufsloa saii he was ear iy nt ihe Wheaton fire iI was st.lail aL first but suddenly spfea out. No street lights tha. night as II was noon- light.
 M. R. Jog was at Wheaton fire and saw it sud denly spread. Has half fn- teresr in tae far grounds. Night of Priest Island ire was as Cortland Ar holds. Adam rang at bcs l5 near
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07
Afternoon Session

Ralph Thurston was the first witness in the afternoon. Remembered fire on election night which was in tool house attached to main building. Side of main building formed part of tool shed. Side of building was charred. Main building not charred. Saw excelsior. Cross examined sad there was a cele- bration that night and bonfires.
 Barrak Smith, first assistant chief of the Putnam fire department, testified regarding what he saw upon arrival at various fires. When he was asked about fire in old Quinebaug block At torney King objected on the ground that it was not charged in the infor- nation. Attorney Torrey said they would connect Howarth with that fire. Attorney Searls quoted from Chamber lain on evidence and from l.. k. A. to show that other fires were admissible to show intent. The judge asked If he understood that the accused would be connected with that fire and was an- swered in the affirmative. He admit ted the evidence and the defence asked that an exception be noted. The same exceptions were taken when eyidence was offered of the burning of buildings other than the Wheaton building and the Keller house at the time of the Wheaton fire. Cross examined he also said he saw bonfires election night and people about on the street.
 William Crawford testified that he lived on George street near the Tatem factory on the night the factory was burned. His house was thre5ttned and fremen were on the roof to guafd it. Saw sparks on the roof which the fremen put out.
 Mrs. Ellen Tetreault testified that she ran boarding house over Mulian' 's store the night of the fire iE rear oi Bradley building and Mullan building.
 William Manson said he was car penter. He came from lodge meeting When near bank heard some one say shop was on fire. He hurried there. When he got there there was but s
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07
The Trial Tuesday


 Tuesday morning some 20 or 30 wit nesses took the 9.27 train forWiliman- tic. Upon reaching the court room the first glance was to see the accused {, who had been brought from the Jail in separate automobiles, Cain accompan- jed by Officer Hurley, and Howarth by Deputy Sheriff Fitts. Howarth sat in the prisoner's pen with Edward Valiant on trial for astatutory offence while Cain sat in the front row of seats. Howarth looked up as his fellow smiled at each acquaintance. He re tained the same manner of unaffected ness that he has maintained since his arrest Cain sat with deputy sheriff or his counsel most of the time, some- times nodding to an acquaintance.
 The jury, which had failed to agree the day before on the Valiant case were sent out for an hour to see if they could agree They returned at the end of that time and reported that they could not agree and were discharged. This was 1l.l3.
 Immediately the states attorney be- gan short address 10 the jurors on the panel informing them as to the nature of the case and telling them that any juror who, for whatever cause, felt that he could not truly and fairly try the case and render an impartial verdict based on the evidence should ask to be excused.
 John A. Dady, Isaac Champeau and Walter Rich, all of Putnam, asked to be excused. Juror Fullerton of Nilli- mantle also asked to be excused. The judge then cautioned the remaining jurors that they should be entirely free from any bias, prejudice or sympathy Counsel were then asked if they had any exceptions. Otto Hattin of Chap. lin, Byron Coivin of Hampton and
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07
The First Witness in the Trial

The first witness called was Edward Mullan, who took the stand at HAS. He testified to owning the property at 35 Main street and the building in the rear of that property. He told of be- ing present on the night of the 18th when his building was on fire but was not present on the night of the 9th. A deed from Charles Chesbro to Mir. Mullan, dated Nov. 22, 1882, was laid in as the first exhibit.
 k. H. Bradley testified that he was two-thirds owner of the Bradley bulld- ing the other third being owned by his brother in Southoridge. He knew of the fire last election night. Saw ex- celsior in rear of building under plat form. Fire was soon put out. Cross examined said didn't think fire char red building but didn't examine it. A deed from Dutee Smith to Bradley, June 3, 1891, was put in as exhibit two.
 Miss $. Elizabeth Clarke testified that she was joint owner with her sis ter of premises al l12 Elm street. She was away from home the night lof the fire near the barn. The northwest cor ner of the barn was charred A deed to her mother, Mary E. Clark, from Abbie F. Seamens, Oct. ?, 1869, was put in as exhibit three and she was re- quested to procure copy of her moth- CTS will. Cross examined said that barn was occupied as garage by Sheriff Holbrook. No holes were burned Tn the building.
 J. B. Tatem testified to the fire that destroyed his handle factory. Fire started front end inside. No stove or lamps or anything. Boiler was in an other building four feet from main building. Didn't have deed with him. Cross examined said there was a fire in boiler house a couple of weeks ago. Place was lit by electricity. Employ ed sixteen to twenty hands. Consider able refuse wood and shavlngs about building. Burned this and coal in boiler.
 A recess was taken from l2.30 to l.30.
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07
The Crimes Alleged

There are fifteen counts in theilnfor. nation on which Howarth is now be- ing tried. There are however but eight res alleged, some of which are covered by more than one count. The first ire occurred at the barn of Miss $. Elizabeth Clarke, Elm street, which was at the time occupied by Deputy Sheriff George F. Holbrook as gar age. Material was found near the barn which suggested ineendlarlsm No great weight was at this time giv- en the matter.
 November 5th, election night, fire staretd in the rear of the Bradley building on Main street. Here too ev idence of incendiarism was discovered.
 The following night, November eth small fire started in the shed back oi the Mullan building in the rear ot his store on Main street occupied as store house and saloon.
 November 13 another fire was start ed in the shed in the rear of the Null Ian building. This fire gained consid erable headway and for time the business section was threatened. The fire was confined to the rear of the building and no great amount of dam age was done.
 After this fire arose feeling of un' .easiness and the rumor that firebue was at work gained currency. Specu- lation was rife as to where the nexl outbreak would be.
 November l7th vacant building on Priests Island was burned. This building WAS in remote section of the town and in a vicinity frequented by tramps. It was thought by some thai this fire was a coincidence and had nc connection with the previous fires, ,,anc expressions to that effect were heard It served however to add it's mite oi stimulus to the growing feeling of un' easiness and alarm which had beer ste adily increasing and which became almost a panic when on the night ei Novemb Der 21st the large plant oi th' Wheaton Building X Lumber compa nv was totally destroyed, and with i the trestle of the Putnam Coal &Nooc company, Grand Army hall and seye raj dwellings, the greatest confisgra ton Putnam has ever known, ,carryins with it a property loss estimated be tween sI00, 600 and sl50,0O0
 The morning after this fire the cit was in a turmoil of excitement. Peo ple were not merely alarmed the.
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07

The states case began to take shape in the Howarth arson trial Thursday. Mrs. Zola Bennett the woman detec- tive swore that in conversations she had with Howarth after she had gain- ed his confidence by posing as a rich client with mine in Colorado on which was 8 shaft building she want ed to have burned, Howarth told her he would do it and to convince her he said that his right hand set all of the Putnam fires. He would do anything for money even connive at murder. He explained how easy it was to set fires with box, candle and kerosene and time it so that it would oin "minutes or hours" He always got even with his enemies and no one could stand in his way. He had no scruples where money was concerned. Cain made 8 good second man but could do no planning. Girls gave him their con. tidence.
 Witness said State policeman Hur. ley was hid in house and heard con- versations. Dictograph was used. Al. so overheard Howarth and Cain talk ing in jail by aid of dictograph. The case will probably last another week
 Howsrth's tiancee, her mother and brother were in court.
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07

DAMAGING TESTIMONY IN ARSON CASE BY WOMAN DETECTIVE
SwearS owah BOaStd That His Right Hand Set Putnam Fires
Explains He ew@h@ Do

Byron Wilson of Scotland were eN- cused by the state. Benjamin Clark of Brooklyn, Alfred T. Burns and John H. Perry of killingly, and Frederick l.. Hyde of Canterbury, were excused by the defense.
 The twelve men selected to try the Howarth case are:
 John NJ. Gager, Windham.
 Lincoln White, Ashford.
 George k. Larkham, Canterbury.
 Turner k. Greene, Plainfield.
 Julian A. Dorrance, Scotland.
 John k. Griffith, Sterling.
 Burr Smith, Canterbury.
 Frank w. Ghappell, Chaplin.
 Frank Platt, Chaplin.
 George Thompson, Hampton.
 Carl D. Gallup, Sterling.
 Robert A. Sherman, Sterling.
 The taking of testimony was begun as soon as the clerk had sworn the jury and read the information. States At torney Charles k. Searls, assisted by Attorney Charles l.. Torrey, represent the state while Attorneys Samuel E. Harvey and William A. King repre- sent Howarth.
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07

were frightened. The state police ,spe- cial local police, and private watch men were on duty guarding the city, armed for business, and dire threats were heard should the person responsi- ble be caught. Other places were found where it was believed that prepara- tions had been made to fire other buildings. This added to the excite ment.
 Days went by during which time the striking of the town clock, the bell of which sounds the fire alarm, startled the citizens. But the days heightened into weeks,a ,and the weeks into months, and nothing further occurred, and it began to be assumed that the firebug had left for other fields and people be- gan to breathe easier once more. Suddenly, after the quiet of four months, on the night of April 7th, the two buildings at the fair grounds occu- pied as paint shops went up in smoke. Six automobiles were in the shops, among them two belonging to How arth.
 This fire was followed, on the morn- ing of the 25th, about o'clock, by the destruction of the plant of J. B. Tatem & Son. Again all was excitement, but again, as before, as time dragged along and no more fires occurred the excite ment died away. It was of course known that officers had been working on the case, but it had become the gen. eral belief that the task of catching the guilty one had been found to be be- yond human power. The arrests of the two young men nearly five months later came une XnectedlV.
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07
Marjorie Burgess Hears tlOwarth Exclaim

Marjorie Burgess lives opposite How. arth on Grand View. Heard fire alarm of Wheaton fire. Saw Howarth come ont of house just after alarm WAS rung. Was in her room with window open. Howarth got his auto out and went off. Came back shortly with Lindley and Emory Cain. Howarth went in house. Emory went away. Howsrth came out. Heard Howarth say: "This is just what l like; l am right in my glory,n Fire was then hurntnp
Putnam patriot., 1913-11-07

Frank E. Howarth, 23 years of age, a member Of the bar of Windham County was put on trial for arson be- fore the Superior court at Willimantic, Tuesday. Judge William H. Will Hams presiding. Howarth was born He attended the public schools and High school from which he graduated in the class of 1908. While employed during the day he put in all of his spare moments studying law and nights met with class of students in a local attorneys office. In December, 1912, he took the bar examinations at Hartford and passed successfully. On January 18th, 1912, he was admitted as an attorney-at-law with the privi, lege of praeticing his chosen profession in all the courts in the state of Con- necticut.
 Soon after he passed the bar he open ed an office in the Bradley building on Front street. In October of the same ASdT Ilt nIsb Ol ccIltS LII eight fires, the last of which occurred on the night of April 25th, 1918. On the 9th day of September, 1913, How arth and Lindley Cain, another young man of Putnam, who was at the time holding the position of Superior court messenger and was studying law, were arrested charged with setting these eight fires. They were arrested on bench warrant and brought before the Superior court in this city. Without having the information read the case was continued to the October session and both were held in bonds of Sl0,000, failing to secure which they were committed to Brooklyn jail to await trial. Last Tuesday both young men were, brought to Putnam. Howarth was put to plea and plead not guilty. Cain was not put to plea. They were again taken back to jail. Howarth's case was assigned for Tuesday and it was begun on that day.