Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-13

INTERESTING FROM JAPAN.

TICULARs OF HIS DEATH-CURIoUs CONVEX
sArIoN WITH TOMMY.
From the N. Y. Times Correspondent
AKABANI. Yeddo, Jan. %, 1851.
regret to be obliged to announce to you
the death of Mr.. Heustren, Dutch interpreter
and Secretary Of the American Legation. 1
became acquainted with him in 1850 while
was connected with the scientific expedition
sent here by the Prussian Government He
was very serviceable to the members eff that
expedition, and has ever since been intimately
connected with the Prussian Legation here,
being frequen visitor at Akabani, the part
of Iedde where the Legation is located.
On the 18th of January Mr.. Heustren had
been attending a meeting with the japanese
Minister for Foreign Affairs He dined there
and left at about 81 o'clock in the evening.
At % O'Clock the inmates of the Legation were
startled by a note from Mr.. Harris to Count
Evlenburg, communicating to him that Mr..
HeUstren, on his way home, had been attacked
by several persons and stabbed and request
ing DR.. Lucini, the physician to the Embassy
10 assist the wounded man. The doctor was
ready in a few minutes, but as the horses were
not ready, he started on foot, accompanied by
number of gentlemen, members of the Prus-
sian expedition.
As soOn as 1 had heard the sad news went
TO the stable, saddled my horse, and armed
with sword and revolvers was soon at the
American Legation. On the way L noticed
that my horse shyed twice; the cause of it l
found out only on the next morning. very
ssd sight presented itself now to my view; on
the floor Of his room poor Mr.. Heustren lay
weltering in blood, several japanese physi-
clans kneeling by his side trying to close
Ghsstly wound on the right side Of the alb
dOmen. Another American gentleman, Mr.
John Wilson, held his head up, and a few ia
raDese officers stood near.
DR.. Lucini and his party had not yet ar
rived, and therefore we turned by the road
which thought they might have taken, met
them a few blocks distant in the street and re-
turned with them. The Doctor after having
washed the wound, which had ceased to bleed
began at once to dress it, difficult task, as a
part of the bowels were severed DR. Maig-
berg. of the English Legation, who had ar
rived at a later moment, assisted in the opera
ton, as did also several other gentlemen from
the Prussian expedition.
Mr.. Harris, whom / sought now in his room
l found busy in giving such directions as cir
oumstances required, and from him L learned
how this affair occurred. Mr. Heustren WAS
riding home at a brisk pace, accompanied by
three Yakonnins, or governmental officers, on
horseback. OF these, one rode in front of
him, whilst the two others followed, all car
rying lanterns, rs also did the four horse bows
that were on foot. About half way between
Akabani and the American Legation, in a
somewhat narrow street, this party was sud
denly attacked by seven eight japanese,
armed with swords. Some Of them knocked
down the horse boys, extinguishing their Ian |
terms, whilst others fell on the Y Yakonnins and
two attacked Mr. Heustren from both sides.
The latter gentleman pushed on as fast as he |
could, and had soon got clear from the asseil- |
ants, as suddenly he exclaimed, Il am wound |
ed, and feel as if should die," and glided to
the ground. The Yakonnins assert that two
IF them had remained with the wounded man, |
whilst one rode to the American Legation to
call for assistance After he had ridden q short |
distance he found that his horse was badly |
wounded, and as 1t could not walk any further |
he tied it to fence and proceeded on foot |
Mr.. Heustren stated that he had been left |
nearly half an hour alone in the street, being
unable to move; that afterward the Yakonnins |
returned, placed him wooden shutter
taken from neighbOring house, and in this |
state he was carried home.
When the doctor had finished the dressing |
OF the wound, Mr. Heustren seemed to revive
little. His face, at first collapsed and CHASTITY
pale, assumed a more cheerful expression; his
eyes began to brighten up; he asked for some
wine, which was given to him, and he ex-
pressed his thanks to those around him. His
bloody clothes were removed, clean ones put
on, and with proper precaution he was put to
bed, covered up nicely, warming-pans were
placed near him, and his extremities were
rubbed with warm cloths. 1t was resolved
that the physicians should watch with him one
at time, ard Mr.. Wilson and l should assist
them alternately. As the immediate danger
seemed over, ventured to Akabani to fetch
some night-chothes for the doctor and myself,
and at midnight / returned to the American
Legation.
Alas. / came only to see our poor friend ex-
pire. Toward midnight he became restless,
desired more wine, also some water requested
afterward to be raised up, his breathing be-
came rattling, and few minutes after mid
night he breathed his last. The Able Girard,
who had arrived at an early hour from the
French Legation, had rendered him religious
consolation, and before he died he received the
Holy Communion.
Mr.. Wilson and myself remained in the
house during the night, partly for protection,
as there had been rumors of hostile designs
against all foreigners. Two soldiers were also
with US.
About o'clock p. m, the Third Governor
for Foreign Affairs, OgeOn Bungo no-Kami
arrived, and received Mr.. Harris permission
TO see the body. He seemed greatly moved
rather an unusual thing for Japanese-re-
quested to zee the wound which was shown to
him, and gave assurance that no pains would
be spared to discover and punish the murderer
The interpreter who remained with was
0jonooky, in the United States better known
under the name Of ''Tommy''-the same who
accompanied the Japanese Embassy to WASH
ington. A conversation ensued of rather a
peculiar character.
{" Poor Mr.. Heustren, he was so kind man,
hope he will 20 to Heaven"
Z" trust he Is in Heaven now, - answered T.
greatly astonished, for il was the FIRST time 1
heard japanese speak Of Heaven, or of any
future state after death-indeed, on any reli-
gious subject
Mr.. Wilson said now: Tommy, do you re-
member how kindly you and your countrymen
we're received in America? and now they muir
der one Of our countrrymen in such cruel,
cold-blooded manner"
Tommy replied, " 1t is very true, there are
many very bad people in Yeddo, who at night
make life in the streets very insecure"
But, why" continued Mr. Wilson, "why
are so many people allowed to carry swords,
who, when drunk, are apt to make very bad
use Of them2'
'' II is true" answered Tommy, again, 1
liked il much better in America, where even
Government officers carried swords only when
on duty, but our Government cannot take their
swords away; if they attempted to the whole
country would be in revolution"
But, Tommy" said I, this is not good
state Of affairs; will it never be. BETTER"
Z" It viii never be better was his answer
L.