1858 SUBLIMITIES OF NATURE. Owned by Civil War Officer, Turned Scam Artist, Brothel Owner, & Fugitive

Signed neatly on the ffep by H. W. Howgate. Also bearing the early lithographed label of the Y. M. L. A. Library of Romeo, Michigan. 

Henry Williamson Howgate [1835-1901] began his military career during the American Civil War after immigrating from England to the United States and working as a reporter. In August 1862, he enlisted as a second lieutenant in the 22nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Transferred to the Signal Corps the following year, he served with distinction in the Army of the Cumberland, earning brevet promotions to captain for gallant service at key engagements including the Battle of Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign, and the March through the Carolinas.

Following his post-war re-entry into the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1867, Howgate rose to the position of Chief Disbursing Officer, where he oversaw government expenditures for meteorology and polar expeditions. Taking advantage of his position, he systematically forged government vouchers and embezzled between $133,000 and $237,000 [$5,000,000 to $8,000,000 in today's dollars] to finance lavish personal ventures, Florida real estate, and a private Arctic exploration scheme.

Facing impending discovery, Howgate resigned his commission in late 1880 and was indicted for fraud in 1882. During a court-supervised visit to his Washington home while in custody, he staged a sensational escape by slipping out the back door while his daughter sang to distract the guarding marshal. He fled across the Potomac River with his mistress, Nettie Burrell, triggering a multi-state manhunt involving both the Secret Service and Pinkerton detectives.

Historical accounts and local legends link Howgate to further illicit enterprises during his years on the run. Most notably, regional histories in Maryland attribute to him the purchase of Lynch Island, later dubbed Tippity Wichity Island, in the St. Mary's River, where he allegedly established a notorious bordello and gambling house named Happie Land after local authorities ran a brothel ring out of Alexandria.

Evading law enforcement for 13 years under various aliases, Howgate eventually settled in New York City as "Henry Williams," where he operated an antiquarian bookstore and print shop on Fourth Avenue. He was finally tracked down by federal agents and arrested at his shop in 1894, ultimately dying in Washington, D.C. in 1901.

Bucke, Charles. William P. Page [Ed.] On the Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature; with Notes, Commentaries, and Illustrations. New York. Harper & Brothers. 1858. 329pp.

Good + in original cloth, rubbed at extremities, small indent with remains of old label at top of front board as shown. Some minor foxing, first few leaves with minor dampstain at extremities of the sheet. Else, solid and clean.