Putnam patriot., 1913-11-21


 counts with aison, was allowed to plead guilty to three counts, Monday afternoon, ar d was immediately sen- teneea to not less than nor more than Il years in state's prison by Judge William H. Williams. shortly after ward Lindley Cain, charged jointly with Howarlh, plead guilty to two counts and was sentenced to the State Reformatory at Cheshire. This pro ceeding ended the most sensational trial in the annals of Windham county. The climax came just one year to day of the fire on Priests Island, Nov ember IT, 1912.
 In some manner feeling had gained currency that something was to hap pen Monday. When the state put on one or two minor witnesses and rested and the defence at once proceeded to put on witnesses there was momen- tary feeling that the case was to DC fought,to a finish and the accused s fate left in the jury's hands. Suddenly, after the examination of seven wit nesses which consumed but few mo- ments, Attorney King stated te the court that some witnesses whom he eN- pected to be present were not there and asked for recess of five minutes. The request was granted by the court.
 Counsel retired from the court room. Howarth stood talking to Joseph Bur ton, summoned as witness by the de- fense. The five minutes went by and counsel did not come in. Howarth was called from the room and the feeling that something was going to happen became strong. 1t was 2.i0 when the recess was asked for and the time dragged along while the spectators whispered together asking what was to develop. Howarth came into the room alone He walked from the door with eyes cast down and did not glance at his fiancee as he passed close l to her. He sat down at the c0unsels' table and looked over what appeared to be some legal documents which he subsequently, handed to his brother. His,face was pale and haggard and | there was no vestige of smile on his countenance although ne glanced about the room. He went to the water | cooler and took drink. As he stood there he said 10 reporter, "This is my last appearance. To an ,inquiry of 1 how that was he replied: "I'm going l up country for while. His counsel returned al 3.35 with counsel for the state. The Judge came in and the jury was called. The States Attorney asked that the jury be sent back to their room
 requested five minutes more and this was granted. At 3.43 the court again came in and the States Attorney stat ed that he had been advised that the
 accused wished to.change his plea to three counts, the ninth, tenth, and
 thirteenth. The clerk read the several
 counts as Howarth stood with his arms
 folded and after each asked the aceus-
 ed if 1t WAS his desire to change his
 plea Howarth in each instance an-
 swered in firm voice that could be
 heard in all parts of the court room, "I ao,n Then again in each instance to
 the clerk s inquiry, "Are you guilty or
 not guity,p in the same clear, firm | tone Howarth answered "Guilty." As each count was read the accused stood
 with his arms folded rocking slightly l back and forth on his heels. Not X
 muscle betrayed any feeling of emotion
 and there was no tremor.in his voice. i within feet Of him sat with downcast eyes, the former with tears glistening in them. The court room sat in si-
 lence that was oppressive. Even the court and counsel seemed affected. It
 was relief when the States Attorney arose to make his preliminary state. ment to the court. During a part Of ] his remarks Howarth sat with his eyes closed and those watching him closely l thought 1t might be sign that he was obout to break down. But he opened his eyes, straightened up in his chair, and pulled himself together. As soon as sentence had been imposed another | recess was taken.
 What went on in the room where Howarth and counsel were in con 1 ference for over an hour will probably never be known. 1t must have been | trying ordeal for all concerned. How arth's counsel had seen the states case strengthen as the trial progressed until l the net was drawn so tightly about their client that 1t was impossible for human beings to extricate him from
 it's meshes. The only thing left was to make the .best terms possible with the state by an offer of plea Of guilty 10 save further prolonging the ordeal and further expense to the state. How | arth must haye,realized the hopeless
 ness of the situation but some thought he would fight 10 the end and main. l tain the attitude that he took after ar- 1 rest that "He would never come across;
 let them prove it.p Apparently he listened 10 the wise counsel of his al. ], tofneys and no doubt thereby received