Henry W. Howgate - Legal Problems

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 which amounted to between £370,000 and £380,000. August 15, Howgate was arrested at the Avery House (notable for bath treatments) in Mount Clemens, Michigan. 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 home where his daughter sang to the marshal for an hour whilst he was supposed to be changing his underwear but in fact was fleeing across the Potomac river. 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.