AOctober 29 1936
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, Thursday, October 29, 1936
Chess World Loses Staunch Admirer in Death of C. S. Howell
By Hermann Helms
Among the experts at chess who have made reputations for themselves and at the same time have been successful in business the name of Clarence S. Howell stood out prominently. Chess circles were shocked to learn that he had died in Manhattan Tuesday morning, at the age of 55. Not so long ago he was several times a visitor at the United States championship tournament. He then confided to friends that his health had been impaired, but none suspected the end to be so near.
Although internationally known as player, analyst and writer, nowhere did the deceased amateur have more intimate chess relationships than right here in Brooklyn, where he spent most of his childhood and youth. First at the Manual Training High School, then at the Dutch Arms Chess Club on Seventh Ave. and finally, at the Brooklyn CHess Club, he developed the latent ability which was destined to make of him one of the leading American authorities in that special field.
The Howell-Michell Cable Match
During the golden era of the Anglo-American cable matches, in six of which he participated, Howell was in his prime and quite able to hold his own with the best in this country. In a strong field of 13 entries he won the championship of the Brooklyn Chess Club in 1905 and, four years later, he became New York State champion. A game he won from Michell of London in the cable match of 1907, which first appeared in The Eagle, was reprinted all over the world.
Twice Howell, playing for Brooklyn, won the Isaac L. Rice cup at meetings of the State Association. Engaged in the book publishing business, he traveled extensively, chiefly in Latin-American countries and also in England, France and Spain. In 1917 he was first in a three-cornered tourney with Corzo and Blanco at Havana. Two years later, he finished second for the championship of the Argentina Chess Club of Buenos Aires and, during 1921, took highest honors in a tournament at Rio de Janeiro, after losing in the first two rounds.
Gained Unique Chess Experience
All in all Howell had unique chess experiences, but he did not permit them to interfere with a successful business career. In later years he joined the Marshall Chess Club, but resigned when he took up residences in Westchester County and Connecticut. As an amateur fancier of a special canine breed, he was a frequent exhibitor at dog shows held in the East.
Yesterday afternoon, at the Campbell Funeral Church in Manhattan, obsequies were conducted by Dr. Edmund Wylie of the Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, who recited the 13th chapter of Paul's letter to the Corinthians and Tennyson's “Crossing the Bar.” Noted among those present were Arthur J. Souweine, Brooklyn champion in 1901, who finished below Howell in 1905. Cremation occurred at Ferncliff. Relatives surviving are his widow, Mrs. Josephine W. Howell; two sons, C. Hamilton and Ellsworth S. Howell; and two sisters, M. Ella and Margaret S. Howell.
