The name "Howard Little" refers to several distinct individuals, most notably a convicted murderer from the early 20th century and two American artists.
1. William Howard Little (c. 1872–1910) — Convicted Murderer
William Howard Little was a West Virginia man convicted of the brutal murder of six members of the Justus (or Justis) family in Laurel Creek, Buchanan County, Virginia, on the night of September 21, 1909.
The Crime: Little allegedly arrived at the home of Elizabeth E. Baker Justus and asked to stay the night. The family knew him and let him in. After the six family members fell asleep, Little is said to have killed them using a pistol, a knife, and a hatchet, then set the cabin on fire and fled. The victims were Betty Justus, her daughter Lydia, Lydia's husband George Meadows, and three children. The youngest child, Lafayette, initially survived but died in the fire.
Motive: Accounts differ. One version holds that Little had recently paid Betty Justus $1,300 for timber rights on her land, and the murders were a bungled theft. Another family account claims Little was a moonshine runner who was attacked and robbed by Justus relatives and sought revenge.
Trial and Execution: Little was arrested and transferred to Lebanon, Virginia, for his own safety amid fears of lynching. His wife, Matilda Little, testified against him. Circumstantial evidence included a lantern belonging to the victims found on Little's property, a borrowed pistol of matching caliber, and his possession of a large sum of cash. The trial began on November 18, 1909, and concluded in three days with a guilty verdict. Howard Little was executed by electric chair in Richmond, Virginia, on January 7, 1910 (some sources also cite February 11, 1910). He maintained his innocence to the end.
Controversy: Modern researchers have questioned the verdict. Little's descendants have argued that Matilda Little testified against him out of resentment over his womanizing, and that Little was subjected to torture (including water deprivation) to extract a confession.
2. Howard John Little (1883–1965) — American Painter
Howard John Little was an American realist painter known for his California landscapes, including redwood forests, desert scenes from the Palm Springs area, and coastal views near La Jolla.
Born in Delaware, Ohio, he studied art and engineering at Ohio State University. In 1913 he moved to Denver, Colorado, where he began painting more seriously. He later settled in California, becoming a nationally known San Diego artist. His works have been exhibited in galleries in Washington, D.C., Denver, and San Diego, and continue to appear at auction.
3. Howard Little (1842–1911) — American Artist
Howard Little (February 12, 1842 – January 7, 1911) was an American artist born in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and raised in Southern Pines. He was an alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and took up drawing at age 18. In 1884 he began teaching illustration. He spent the last year of his life in Geneva, Switzerland. His notability has been questioned, and biographical sources on him are limited.
4. Howard Little Excavating — Business
Howard Little Excavating Ltd. is a Canadian excavation company based in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, providing residential, commercial, and industrial site preparation services since approximately the 1980s.
