The New York herald., 1879-02-06
THE SAILORS KNIFE.
A Sailor on the United States Steamer Ranger
Convicted Of Murder in Japan
A RUSSIAN THE VICTIM.
The Case Referred to the President with
Request for Clemency.
NAaAsK1, JAPAN. Dec. 80, 1878.


NAGAsKI, JAPAN Dec. 80 1873.
The unfortunate affair which occurred here in the
the early part of the month, in which quarter
of the Russian corvette Craysser lost his life
at the hand of seaman serving board the United
States steamer Ranger produced for the time being
considerable excitement in this quiet town. which
is likely to be augmented in the
latter is executed. according to the sentence
of the Consular Court that tried him.
The history of the unpleasant broil is simple. On
the 1st inst. Sunday liberty granted number
of men from the Ranger. who speedily found their
way after landing to the vile grogshops that infest
this place and began, in true sailor STYLE drinking
the wretched poison dispensed by the low
drels who keep these dens. They were joined in
their carouse by lot of liberty men from the
Russian flagship Bayon and the corvette Craysser.
At first everything was harmonious and peace
full the Russian and American tars fraterniz-
ing in the most happy manner; but it was
not many hours before the poison got into their
blood and made them crazy. Then in the evening,
when all were drunk and insane, a commenced.
but from what particular is not known and
knives were used; at least James Webb ordinary
seaman from the Ranger. used his and managed to
stab slightly two Of the Russians Finally the dis
turbance queled. but soon broke out afresh.
and in this row he again used his knife and
fatally stabbed the Russian quartermaster Constan
tine Kashne. The latter removed to
the Japanese Hospital and Webb
aged to get on board the Ranger.
less and before his end came. at the request of the
American Consul Mr. Willis p Mangum. Commander
sehs aI on ae hertE on snaw ana M tbeY
taken to the hospital and, in groups of five.
were admitted into the wounded mans room
for Identification. The first group passed with
out trouble but when William lyman. first
class fireman. appeared. he was recognized by
stabbed ,him. lyman placed in the custody of
the United States Consul. On the Sd Kashine died,
and Mr. Oorofsky, Russian Consul. lodged q COM
plaint in the United Consulate charging lyman
with his murder. Subsequently It was discovered
that two other saors-william Wallace belonging to
Naval Hospital at Yokohana in the Ranger and an
ordinary seaman belonging to the Ranger, named
James Webb-werc accomplices OF lyman. The Con-
suar writ of arrest was promptly served and Com
mander Manley gave them up to the United States
Marshal for trial.
On the 9TH inst. the burial OF the unfortunate
Kashine took place, and Commander Marley and a
number Of the officers and men of the Ranger joined
the funeral procession. showing all the respect pos
sble due to the occasion. and assisted at the final
ceremonies at the grave This action of the Amer
ican officers and highly appreciated by Cap
tain Nasmof. of the Craysser. and the Russians gen.
orally, and drew from the latter their grateful
acknowledgements.
CONSULAR COURT TRIAL.
The trial came OFF on Monday, the 9th inst before
Mr.. Mangum presiding assisted by four assessors.
VIZ. .-Paymaster W. W. Woodruff. U. s. N. Captain
Furber. better known as the Commodore; Captain
Smith and Rev. Mr.. Davidson. missionary long resi-
dent in Japan Assistant PaymasterZ. z. I. Brown and
Cadet Engineer Dunnng. OF the Ranger. were counsel
for wallace and lyman respectively. Webb
declined counsel. and pleaded guilty to the
charge Of murder, giving his account Of tho
with an air Of nvso Witnesses
then called who identified Webb the assaant. con-
nrming in general manner ann ms own statement vs.
brought forward which clearly showed that neither
lyman Wallace was with Webb when the fatal
tra rfNvsflrr tay n
fairest and most dignied manner, and after all the
evidence had been submitted the court retired for
been developed on the trial and one was
surprised to learn on Saturday the 14th inst. that
degree. lyman and Wallace we're acquitted and
discharged. Webb remanded to Jail for sentence,
which was delivered by Mr. Mangum the following
week decreeing that he should death by hang
ing The record OF the trial and sentence has been
made up and sent to Mr.. D. Stevens Charge
d'AfYsires of the United States at Toxic, for
his approval aud for the warrant ordering execution
The commanding officer OF the Crsysser and the con-
sul Mr.. Olorofsky. have it is understood petitioned
the President to commute the sentence to mprison-
ment. and it is to be hoped that such action
will be taken by him. So ia far as known no
in Japan. and for tho good name OF the
nation and its naval service it is the wish of all that
none ever will The authorities (native) are
greatly blame for not closing up those horrible
rum mills that occasion much trouble and crime
in this port. No license is required to open q bar
here. and when men-of-war are in the harbor o
dozen more close for the season, to reopen
when the prey hocks ashore: W course the
liquor sold is the vilest and most poisonous
imaginable, generally concoctcd from saki-
the Japanese spirit distilled from rice-snd other
compounds. The wonder is that Jack drink the
stuff and survive. If the consuls would unite and
vigorously demand closing Of these dens. the
Japanese would speedily root them out Meanwhile
1t is positively dangerous to give ships crew lib
erty in this port
Before the departure Of the Ranger for Yokohama,
the crew expressed desire TO take mp collection
for the benefit OF the relations of the deceased
l.s.t nav.to MAJ fu,nH inf rFuad
Asndcr Manley that there was no ono dependent
upon him and thanked him for the benevolent offer.
which. he said. thoroughly appreciated by the
officers and crew Of his ship.
RELIGIOUS TEACHING.
Ono of the French priests attached to the Catholic
establishment visits Webb in Jail, and offers the con-
ISOLATION of the Church to the condemned. whose
tencc was passed upon him. He seems now to fully
realize the cnormy of the crime he has committed,
and bitterly regrets it, II tho President does not in
Webb will be executed the latter part OF Feb.
ruary or early in March, and the terrible duty will
fall upon the United States Marshal Of the Consular
Court OF carrying out tho order Of the Charge DAT
faircs
before this served in the United States Navy,
understand on the United States steamer Pensacola,
in the Pacific. lie recently enlisted in Hong
Kong and has conducted himself properly while OH
board the Ranger. Rum his enemy, and will. it
is feared. bring him TO the gallows
BUSINESS BRISK.
The health Of this port IL now good. the cholera
having entirely disappeared The harbor is quito
lively, vessels coming for and departing with car
goes of Takashima coal, which is taken from the
mine n few miles distant from the mouth Of the
harbor About six hundred tons arc taken out daily,
and everything looks prosperous for this part of
Japan.
THE CASE OF wEDB, THE MURDERER, REFERRED
TO THE PRESIDENT.