Henry W. Howgate
Encyclopedia
Capt. Henry W. Howgate was Chief Disbursing Officer in the United States Army Signal Corps
and responsible for major Arctic
explorations. He caused a scandal after embezzling over $133,000, slipping away from authorities while awaiting trial, running off with his mistress, and spending 13 years evading capture, in which time he evaded the Secret Service
and Pinkertons Detective Agency
, worked as a reporter, and ran a New York City
antiquarian book shop.
In 1866, he married Cordelia Day (b. June 8, 1837), daughter of Uriel Day and Olive (Sperry) Day of Macomb County, Michigan
. Howgate and Cordelia had one daughter, born in 1866.
Howgate met Nellie Burrell of Saline County, Nebraska
, early in his military career. She got a job working as a hostess in the United States Department of the Treasury
in Washington, D.C. through the influence of Senator Algernon Paddock
. She remained Howgate's mistress for most of his life.
, and, in 1863, he became a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Signal Corps. In 1866 he had left the Army, returned to Michigan and married.
Then in 1867, he joined the 20th Infantry
before re-joining the Signal Corps where he served as property and disbursing officer before becoming responsible for planning all polar expeditions. Under his auspices, he was responsible for polar expeditions at a time when several countries were also supporting polar exploration and scientific studies. Fascinated with the Arctic, Howgate developed an extensive library of Arctic literature.
The Florence left New London, Connecticut
on August 2, 1877 and first anchored at Niantilic Harbour, western Cumberland Sound
,
on September 12. It reached the winter harbor of Annanactook, Cumberland Sound, (66°28′N 68°45′W) on October 6. While at Annanactook, Mr. Kumlien and Mr. Sherman engaged in notable scientific work, assisted by local Esquimaux.
The Florence was unable to leave Annanactook until early July, and when it did embark, on July 5, 1878, it was pressed ten miles east by ice floe before making Kickatiue Island. The expedition arrived in Godhavn Harbor
on July 31. There, Tyson learned that the government expedition steamer they were expecting to join forces with had been deferred. With phase one complete and phase two abandoned, the Florence sailed home August 22, reaching Boston harbor
on October 30, 1878.
The Gulnare departed in July, captained by Lt. Gustavus Cheyney Doane
. The crew included Sgt. David Legge Brainard
,George W. Rice
(photographer), Dr. Octave Pavy (surgeon/naturalist) and Mr. Henry ("Harry") Independence Clay (1849—1884).
On August 3, in a heavy gale
, the Gulnare was damaged, but worse yet, it lost a deck boat and the entire deck load. The steamer reached Disko
on August 8 and steamer repairs lasted through August 21. Dr. Pavy did not join the crew for the home voyage, instead staying in Greenland to continue scientific studies.
Lt. Doane placed expedition failure upon the Gulnare and reported:
, for the "Howgate Plan", his vision of an Arctic colony.
Karl Weyprecht
, an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Navy
who co-led, with Julius von Payer
the 1872—1874 Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition
that discovered Franz Josef Land
made a presentation at the 48th Meeting of German Scientists and Physicians in 1875, where he, too, made recommendations for establishment of fixed Arctic observation stations.
In Spencer Fullerton Baird
's 1877 Annual Record of Science and Industry, he states that Weyprecht, and others, made recommendations for manned polar stations at this year's International Congress of Meteorologists, adding:
So while ultimately, the Howgate Expedition of 1880 was an immediate and complete failure, Howgate was able to pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars to plan a new expedition to coincide with the First International Polar Year
(IPY). Named the "Lady Franklin Bay Expedition" (LFBE), its purpose was to establish and sustain, with adequate supplies, an Arctic colony near the northeastern tip of Ellesmere Island
. It was based on assumptions that Lady Franklin Bay could be reached every summer by ship, and that ships hindered Arctic adaptation. The colony was to be dropped off and left on its own in 1881 near the coal seam found previously by George Nares
, relief supplies were to arrive in 1882, and the expeditionary team was to be picked up in 1883.
Though it was clear that some shared Howgate's enthusiasm for manned Arctic Circle stations, others didn't. Capt. Sir. Frederick Evans, hydrographer with the British Admiralty, made negative comments about the IPY LFBE proposal:
.
The U.S. Government began actions August 24 to recover $133,000 from Howgate.
Expedition plans for the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition
continued despite Howgate's sudden departure and the subsequent investigation.
Indictment
Howgate was indicted for embezzlement in 1882, but slipped away from authorities April 13, 1882 while on a court-supervised visit to his mistress' home. In absentia, a judgment against Howgate was made May 24, 1883, in the amount of $101,000, plus interest.
Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln
authorized Secret Service
operatives to stake out Howgate's possible hiding place in New Orleans, but, spotting them, Howgate and mistress departed quickly for Nebraska City, Nebraska
. There, Howgate visited former Signal Corps officer, now attorney, Albert S. Cole, for assistance to file a claim that the government actually owed Howgate money. Howgate moved on to Escanaba, Michigan
where he assumed the alias "H.W. Harrison" and worked as a reporter. Afraid that the Secret Service couldn't capture Howgate, Lincoln hired the Pinkerton Detective Agency
, who tried but failed to bribe Cole for information on Howgate's whereabouts.
. He was using the alias "Henry Williams", and leading the life of an old book/print dealer at 80 Fourth Avenue, New York City
. Howgate was living with Burrell (alias "Mrs. Williams") at 195 West Tenth Street in New York City. Howgate was brought before Judge Charles Linnaeus Benedict
who signed the arrest warrant. The New York Times reported Howgate was accused of embezzling $370,000 from the U.S. Government. Found guilty of numerous crimes, Howgate served time in the Albany Penitentiary.
where he died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1901.
United States Army Signal Corps
The United States Army Signal Corps develops, tests, provides, and manages communications and information systems support for the command and control of combined arms forces. It was established in 1860, the brainchild of United States Army Major Albert J. Myer, and has had an important role from...
and responsible for major Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
explorations. He caused a scandal after embezzling over $133,000, slipping away from authorities while awaiting trial, running off with his mistress, and spending 13 years evading capture, in which time he evaded the Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
and Pinkertons Detective Agency
Pinkerton National Detective Agency
The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, usually shortened to the Pinkertons, is a private U.S. security guard and detective agency established by Allan Pinkerton in 1850. Pinkerton became famous when he claimed to have foiled a plot to assassinate president-elect Abraham Lincoln, who later hired...
, worked as a reporter, and ran a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
antiquarian book shop.
Personal life
Howgate was the son of a British shopkeeper. At age 21, Howgate immigrated to the United States and worked as a reporter.In 1866, he married Cordelia Day (b. June 8, 1837), daughter of Uriel Day and Olive (Sperry) Day of Macomb County, Michigan
Macomb County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 788,149 people, 309,203 households, and 210,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,640 people per square mile . There were 320,276 housing units at an average density of 667 per square mile...
. Howgate and Cordelia had one daughter, born in 1866.
Howgate met Nellie Burrell of Saline County, Nebraska
Saline County, Nebraska
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 13,843 people, 5,188 households, and 3,507 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile . There were 5,611 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
, early in his military career. She got a job working as a hostess in the United States Department of the Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury is an executive department and the treasury of the United States federal government. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue...
in Washington, D.C. through the influence of Senator Algernon Paddock
Algernon Paddock
Algernon Sidney Paddock was an American politician who served as a Republican secretary of Nebraska Territory and U.S. Senator from Nebraska after statehood.-Biography:...
. She remained Howgate's mistress for most of his life.
Military career
In 1862, Howgate became a Second Lieutenant with the 22nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment22nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 22nd Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:Former Governor of Michigan Moses Wisner worked to raise the 22nd Michigan Infantry and was commissioned as its colonel. The new regiment was mustered into...
, and, in 1863, he became a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Signal Corps. In 1866 he had left the Army, returned to Michigan and married.
Then in 1867, he joined the 20th Infantry
20th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 20th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment.-History:It was organized on 6 June 1862 at Fort Independence , as the 2nd Battalion of the 11th Infantry, one of the nine "three-battalion" regiments of regulars, each battalion containing eight companies of infantry, in...
before re-joining the Signal Corps where he served as property and disbursing officer before becoming responsible for planning all polar expeditions. Under his auspices, he was responsible for polar expeditions at a time when several countries were also supporting polar exploration and scientific studies. Fascinated with the Arctic, Howgate developed an extensive library of Arctic literature.
Howgate Preliminary Polar Expedition (1877–1878)
The Howgate Preliminary Polar Expedition had two phases.- The 1877 phase was tasked with establishing relationships with local Esquimaux, promoting scientific experiments, and whaling as a source of revenue. Its vessel, the 1851 Wells, MaineWells, MaineWells is a town in York County, Maine, United States. Founded in 1643, it is the third-oldest town in Maine. The population was 9,400 at the 2000 census. Wells Beach is a popular summer destination.-History:...
built schooner Florence, was a fair sea-boat, but too small for the mission at 56 ton fore and aft. The Florence was captained by George Emory Tyson (1829—1906), Master, who had been Assistant Master/Navigator of the Polaris under Capt. Charles Francis HallCharles Francis HallCharles Francis Hall was an American Arctic explorer. Little is known of Hall's early life. He was born in the state of Vermont, but while he was still a child his family moved to Rochester, New Hampshire, where, as a boy, he was apprenticed to a blacksmith. In the 1840s he married and drifted...
. The Florence crew of 13 included Ludwig Kumlien (naturalist, of the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
and son of Thure KumlienThure KumlienThure Ludwig Theodor Kumlien was a Swedish-American ornithologist, naturalist, and taxidermist. A contemporary of Thoreau, Audubon, and Agassiz, he contributed much to the knowledge of the natural history of Wisconsin and its birds. He collected and shipped specimens to many investigators in the...
), Orray Taft Sherman (meteorologist/photographer of Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
), and a group of New London mariners. - The 1878 phase, to be captained by Howgate, was to join forces with the first crew, and establish polar colonization.
The Florence left New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
on August 2, 1877 and first anchored at Niantilic Harbour, western Cumberland Sound
Cumberland Sound
Cumberland Sound is an Arctic waterway in Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. It is a western arm of the Labrador Sea located between Baffin Island's Hall Peninsula and the Cumberland Peninsula...
,
on September 12. It reached the winter harbor of Annanactook, Cumberland Sound, (66°28′N 68°45′W) on October 6. While at Annanactook, Mr. Kumlien and Mr. Sherman engaged in notable scientific work, assisted by local Esquimaux.
The Florence was unable to leave Annanactook until early July, and when it did embark, on July 5, 1878, it was pressed ten miles east by ice floe before making Kickatiue Island. The expedition arrived in Godhavn Harbor
Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq is a port and a town in Qaasuitsup municipality, located on the south coast of Qeqertarsuaq Island, an island on the west coast of Greenland. Founded in 1773, it is home to a campus of the University of Copenhagen...
on July 31. There, Tyson learned that the government expedition steamer they were expecting to join forces with had been deferred. With phase one complete and phase two abandoned, the Florence sailed home August 22, reaching Boston harbor
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, and is located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to the Port of Boston, a major shipping facility in the northeast.-History:...
on October 30, 1878.
Howgate Arctic Expedition (1880)
The 1880 Howgate Arctic Expedition was tasked with scientific and geographical exploration of Greenland in preparation for an 1881 International Polar Year expeditionary force and Arctic colonization. However, the Army and Navy decided, in June 1880, to withdraw support of the Howgate Arctic Expedition as the expeditionary vessel, the steamship Gulnare, was unseaworthy. Howgate, not to be deterred, found private funding.The Gulnare departed in July, captained by Lt. Gustavus Cheyney Doane
Gustavus Cheyney Doane
Gustavus Cheyney Doane was a U.S. Army Cavalry Captain, explorer, inventor and Civil War soldier who played a prominent role in the exploration of Yellowstone as a member of the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition.-Early life:...
. The crew included Sgt. David Legge Brainard
David Legge Brainard
Brigadier-General David Legge Brainard was an American arctic explorer and soldier.-Early life:Brainard was born in Norway, New York, the fifth son to Alanson Brainard and Maria C...
,George W. Rice
George W. Rice
George Walter Rice was a Canadian-born photographer who was first to photograph the Arctic region on the ill-fated American led Lady Franklin Bay Expedition of 1881 to 1884. Rice died in the Arctic on 9 April 1884 while awaiting the arrival of a relief vessel.-Early life and education:George W...
(photographer), Dr. Octave Pavy (surgeon/naturalist) and Mr. Henry ("Harry") Independence Clay (1849—1884).
On August 3, in a heavy gale
Gale
A gale is a very strong wind. There are conflicting definitions of how strong a wind must be to be considered a gale. The U.S. government's National Weather Service defines a gale as 34–47 knots of sustained surface winds. Forecasters typically issue gale warnings when winds of this strength are...
, the Gulnare was damaged, but worse yet, it lost a deck boat and the entire deck load. The steamer reached Disko
Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq is a port and a town in Qaasuitsup municipality, located on the south coast of Qeqertarsuaq Island, an island on the west coast of Greenland. Founded in 1773, it is home to a campus of the University of Copenhagen...
on August 8 and steamer repairs lasted through August 21. Dr. Pavy did not join the crew for the home voyage, instead staying in Greenland to continue scientific studies.
"The steamer Gulnare returned to this port (St. John's, Newfoundland), last night, having failed to accomplish the object of her mission. On the 5th of August, only a few days after leaving, she encountered a severe gale, during which she lost her deck cargo and davits, and sustained some damage to her hull. No field ice was met with, but a large number of icebergs were seen, and the weather throughout proved very unfavorable. The Gulnare reached DiscoQeqertarsuaqQeqertarsuaq is a port and a town in Qaasuitsup municipality, located on the south coast of Qeqertarsuaq Island, an island on the west coast of Greenland. Founded in 1773, it is home to a campus of the University of Copenhagen...
and landed the Doctor and the Secretary, but was unable to proceed farther North." (The St. John's Evening Telegram, September 25, 1880)
Lt. Doane placed expedition failure upon the Gulnare and reported:
"The cruise of the Gulnare is the first acknowledged failure in Arctic annals. We did but little, but left a great many things undone requiring some moral courage to refrain from doing. We did not change the names of all the localities visited, as is customary, nor give them new latitudes to the bewilderment of the general reader. We do not dispute anyone's attained distance not declare it impossible that he should have been where he was. We did not hunt up nameless islands and promontories to tag them with the surnames... We did not even erect cenotaphs... We received no flags, converted no natives, killed no one... The object of this report is to expose a few of the specious pleas, fallacious reasonings, and ill-grounded conjectures which are called scientific, and to place the subject of circumpolar exploration on a basis of facts and reasonable probabilities. One cannot explore the earth's surface from an observatory, nor by mathematics, nor by the power of logic. It must be done physically.
International Polar Year preparation
Howgate was active in soliciting international support, including with the French Société de GéographieSociété de Géographie
The Société de Géographie , is the world's oldest geographical society. It was founded in 1821 . Since 1878, its headquarters has been at 184 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris. The entrance is marked by two gigantic caryatids representing Land and Sea...
, for the "Howgate Plan", his vision of an Arctic colony.
Karl Weyprecht
Karl Weyprecht
Karl Weyprecht, also spelt Carl Weyprecht, was an Austro-Hungarian explorer. He was an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Navy. He is most famous as an Arctic explorer, and an advocate of international cooperation for scientific polar exploration...
, an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Navy
Austro-Hungarian Navy
The Austro-Hungarian Navy was the naval force of Austria-Hungary. Its official name in German was Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine , abbreviated as k.u.k. Kriegsmarine....
who co-led, with Julius von Payer
Julius von Payer
Julius Johannes Ludovicus Ritter von Payer was an Austro-Hungarian arctic explorer and an Arctic landscape artist....
the 1872—1874 Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition
Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition
The Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition was an expedition that ran from 1872–74 and discovered Franz-Josef Land. According to Julius von Payer, one of the leaders, the journey was to find the north-eastern passage. It actually explored the area northwest of Novaya Zemlya. According to the...
that discovered Franz Josef Land
Franz Josef Land
Franz Josef Land, Franz Joseph Land, or Francis Joseph's Land is an archipelago located in the far north of Russia. It is found in the Arctic Ocean north of Novaya Zemlya and east of Svalbard, and is administered by Arkhangelsk Oblast. Franz Josef Land consists of 191 ice-covered islands with a...
made a presentation at the 48th Meeting of German Scientists and Physicians in 1875, where he, too, made recommendations for establishment of fixed Arctic observation stations.
In Spencer Fullerton Baird
Spencer Fullerton Baird
Spencer Fullerton Baird was an American ornithologist, ichthyologist and herpetologist. Starting in 1850 he was assistant-secretary and later secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C...
's 1877 Annual Record of Science and Industry, he states that Weyprecht, and others, made recommendations for manned polar stations at this year's International Congress of Meteorologists, adding:
"As these proposed international Polar stations are for purely scientific observations, and as their plan so perfectly harmonizes with the Howgate plan of an Arctic colony, it is to be hoped that our own government will establish, at least, two such scientific stations..."
So while ultimately, the Howgate Expedition of 1880 was an immediate and complete failure, Howgate was able to pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars to plan a new expedition to coincide with the First International Polar Year
International Polar Year
The International Polar Year is a collaborative, international effort researching the polar regions. Karl Weyprecht, an Austro-Hungarian naval officer, motivated the endeavor, but died before it first occurred in 1882-1883. Fifty years later a second IPY occurred...
(IPY). Named the "Lady Franklin Bay Expedition" (LFBE), its purpose was to establish and sustain, with adequate supplies, an Arctic colony near the northeastern tip of Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
. It was based on assumptions that Lady Franklin Bay could be reached every summer by ship, and that ships hindered Arctic adaptation. The colony was to be dropped off and left on its own in 1881 near the coal seam found previously by George Nares
George Nares
Vice-Admiral Sir George Strong Nares KCB FRS was a British naval officer and Arctic explorer. He commanded both the Challenger Expedition and the British Arctic Expedition, and was highly thought of a leader and a scientific explorer...
, relief supplies were to arrive in 1882, and the expeditionary team was to be picked up in 1883.
Though it was clear that some shared Howgate's enthusiasm for manned Arctic Circle stations, others didn't. Capt. Sir. Frederick Evans, hydrographer with the British Admiralty, made negative comments about the IPY LFBE proposal:
"This... appears to be a renewal of the Howgate Expedition of 1880... which was unsuccessful. There is now engrafted on the Howgate Expedition the taking part in a scheme (not yet matured) for various nations to found stations in the Arctic Circle... the time available, the money voted, the means proposed, all appear to be equally inadequate for the contemplated purpose."
Legal problems
Fearing his embezzlement of government funds would soon be discovered, Howgate resigned his military commission December 7, 1880. In 1881, the Signal Corps was in turmoil over allegations of fraud, scandals, and embezzlement. An investigation began into Howgate's handling of fraudulent U.S. Government vouchers, totaling up to $237,000. Some alleged that Signal Service employees assisted Howgate with the embezzlement. August 15, Howgate was arrested at the Avery House (notable for bath treatments) in Mount Clemens, MichiganMount Clemens, Michigan
Mount Clemens is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 17,312. It is the county seat of Macomb County.-Early history:...
.
The U.S. Government began actions August 24 to recover $133,000 from Howgate.
Expedition plans for the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition
Lady Franklin Bay Expedition
The 1881-1884 Lady Franklin Bay Expedition into the Canadian Arctic was led by Lt. Adolphus Greely and was promoted by the United States Army Signal Corps. Its purpose was threefold: to establish a meteorological-observation station as part of the First International Polar Year, to collect...
continued despite Howgate's sudden departure and the subsequent investigation.
Indictment
Howgate was indicted for embezzlement in 1882, but slipped away from authorities April 13, 1882 while on a court-supervised visit to his mistress' home. In absentia, a judgment against Howgate was made May 24, 1883, in the amount of $101,000, plus interest.
Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln was an American lawyer and Secretary of War, and the first son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln...
authorized Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
operatives to stake out Howgate's possible hiding place in New Orleans, but, spotting them, Howgate and mistress departed quickly for Nebraska City, Nebraska
Nebraska City, Nebraska
Nebraska City is a city in Otoe County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 7,228 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Otoe County...
. There, Howgate visited former Signal Corps officer, now attorney, Albert S. Cole, for assistance to file a claim that the government actually owed Howgate money. Howgate moved on to Escanaba, Michigan
Escanaba, Michigan
Escanaba is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, located in the banana belt on the state's Upper Peninsula. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 13,140, making it the third-largest city in the Upper Peninsula after Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie...
where he assumed the alias "H.W. Harrison" and worked as a reporter. Afraid that the Secret Service couldn't capture Howgate, Lincoln hired the Pinkerton Detective Agency
Pinkerton National Detective Agency
The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, usually shortened to the Pinkertons, is a private U.S. security guard and detective agency established by Allan Pinkerton in 1850. Pinkerton became famous when he claimed to have foiled a plot to assassinate president-elect Abraham Lincoln, who later hired...
, who tried but failed to bribe Cole for information on Howgate's whereabouts.
Capture
Howgate was captured September 28, 1894 in New York City, and spent the night at the Ludlow Street JailLudlow Street Jail
The Ludlow Street Jail was New York City's federal prison, located on Ludlow Street and Broome Street in Manhattan. Some prisoners, such as soldiers, were held there temporarily awaiting extradition to other jurisdictions, but most of the inmates were debtors imprisoned by their creditors. The two...
. He was using the alias "Henry Williams", and leading the life of an old book/print dealer at 80 Fourth Avenue, New York City
Park Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
. Howgate was living with Burrell (alias "Mrs. Williams") at 195 West Tenth Street in New York City. Howgate was brought before Judge Charles Linnaeus Benedict
Charles Linnaeus Benedict
Charles Linnaeus Benedict was a United States federal judge.Born in Newbury, Vermont, he was the son of George Wyllys Benedict and Eliza Dewey Benedict. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1844 and read law in 1845 to enter the Bar...
who signed the arrest warrant. The New York Times reported Howgate was accused of embezzling $370,000 from the U.S. Government. Found guilty of numerous crimes, Howgate served time in the Albany Penitentiary.
Release
Upon release in December 1900, Howgate moved to his daughter's home in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
where he died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1901.
Works
- (1879). Polar colonization. Memorial to Congress and action of scientific and commercial associations. Washington, D.C.: Beresford, Printer.