The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-10-28
a no.r Unfortuna,e Afrhlr.

By the California papers received in the last
mail, We learn that robbery took place in Hay
ward near Oakland, during March last, in which
$500 were stolen from the safe of the Odd Eel
lows Lodge in that place. One Hall, a constable
of the town, was the treasurer. and Rev. Thos
6. Thurstun, son Of the venerable Mrs. Lucy q
Thurston Of this city, was secretary. Each had
key to the safe. The treasurer (HalD suspect
ed and charged the secretary with having taken
the funds, and some circumstantial evidence
seems to have weighed against the latter till
about four weeks since Hall arrested and imprls-
oned Mr. Thurston for three days. He was
brought before the police court and his trial &C.
cupied two days, when he was acquitted by the
magistrate of all connection with the affair. The
evidence against Mr.. Thurston consisted 10 his
fuding false key in the lodge room. also two Of
the stolen bank bills in the safe and also the shot
bag which contained the coin. As secretary he
made vigiIant search to get some clue to the
robbery, and found these articles. But what told
most against him was the fact that be destroyed
the money bag, lest, as be says, its possession
might serve as evidence against him. Hall at
once charged him with the robbery, and brought
the case before the lodge, which after investigation
appears to have been equally divided as to his
guilt or innocence. The trial before the police
court was very searching one, but resulted in
full aequittal of Mr.. 1hurston. At first be was
not allowed to testify. but when near the close
the judge admitted his evidence, every person IN
the court room was SO satisfied. from his straight
forward story, of his entire innocence of the
grave charge, that there was no alternative but
full acquiital, which was received by the audi
ence with the most hearty demonstrations of sat
isfaction.
One of the Oakland papers, which gives the full
proceedings, says, at the close Of the trial, Mr.
ThurstOn has passed through terrible ordeal, but
he has come out of it with a brighter and better
name Gf such thing were possible) than before
A natural reserve in disposition seems to have
kept many from near fellowship with him hereto.
fore, but the rough rubbing he has undergone of
late has served to exhibit more Of the diamond
in his character than was apparent before. 1t is
now generally accepted as tact that some men,
Der of Sycamore Lodge, other than Thurston or
Hall, stole the money, and it is devon,ly hoped
that the culprits SIN will sooner or later find him
out"
We have received copy of Mr.. Thurstons
address to his church after the close Of the trial,
which will be read with interest by his friends
here. He had some weeks previously to the
trial resigned his charge as pastor and has since
left for the Atlantic States;
"And now as 1 stand before you for the last time
and look into your faces, you wiz pardon me for
4 dding few words Of personal nature; and l
speak them soemuiy aud carefully, feeling full deep
~ in what presence am standing, and who hears
my words.
Unjust say in passing. tina. with my keen appre-
citation of praise and blame, and my constitutional
senstiyeness could not possibly stand before you,
as have stood, aud now stand, unless were sup
ported by deep consciousness of personal integrity
could not endure your gaze with feeling Of guilt
in my heart But that sense of guilt 1 do not and
eaHnot feel in the sight OF high heaven.
al have lived at the ends OF the earth, and know
full well thar there is no place on this fooistoo of
Gods, where ruined character will not follow 4
mau like bis shadow, and nothing but the strongest
motives could induce me to run the fearful risk of
exposure and disgraee. look in vain for such
motives. No one can bring forward a single one.
On the other hand the strongest ahd most numer.
Gus motives bind me TO a course of honor and jus
lice
Ihave been trained from very childhood in the
school Of selfdenial and restraint; TO limit nv
wants by my means and to be coutented with ms |
lot have thus lived these many years, always Nv
ing strictly within my means, and well provided for
IN the maiE, and conteuteds Six months ago my |
situation was more hopeful in the outlook, Than it
bad been for years. was assured OF the necessaes
and some OF the comforts Of life There was not /
he shadow Of a motive for risking my all.
81 have been preaehipg the gospel of our Lord
Or eight years, in dTsrent places, and can point
back to unsuIlied life, as a motive to keep that
reputation, which is my dearest treasure II is not
lie way men do, to pass at bound from rectitude |
md justice 70 The greatest acts Of crime and injus
ICE aes ~ E iAA4aE 1tft ElNF
al have faiher who lhns rested from bis lab0rs |