The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1886-02-02
Another Celebrated Case
A Night Session and Hung Jury.


After several unavoidable adiournments the trial
of Thomas b. Walker, charged with completely IL
the robbery which occurred at the General Post
Office in this city OF the night of January md
came to an issue in the Supreme Court Satur.
day last the 30th ult., before Judge Preston and
a foreign Jury. Considerable interest had obtained
in the case, from the wide acquaintance of the
accused and the circumstances surrounding the
robbery, and as a consequence the courtroom was
well filled by an audience of people eager to listen
to the developments. Attorney General Neumann
appeared as Crown prosecutor, and I. NJ. Hatch
appeared for the prisoner.
At few minutes past O'Clock the defendant
was arraigned and the charge, burglary, was read
to him. He pleaded not guilty. With bat little
delay the following persons were drawn as jury
Messrs. L. A Jones, H. Gum, 5. VI. Whitman, +.
Eckley, H. W. Morse, Z. McInerny. c. Hammer,
j. j. Locker, A. MOssman, A. L. Smith, II. Water
house and H. Davis.
Mr. Hatch questioned each juror all but Mr.
Warehouse expressing themselves as being un-
biased and without opinion on the case. Mr.
Waterhouse was excused by his request, and Mr.
Hatch then exercised his right of peremptory chal-
lenge against Messrs Hammer and Mcintyre,
Messrs n. F. Burgess and George Lucas being
called in their places. At 9.15 Attorney General
Neumann for the Crown related to the jury the
facts connected with the robbery and what was
expected to be proved against defendant and Is
the first witness was called:
Nathan Wilfong sworn; Testified to the num-
Der of the safes in the Office the contents of the
the appearances of his safe on the morning of tie
robbery, the means used to unlock the safe and
other matters tending merely TO show that a rob
berry had been committed. Witness testified that
the amount of money in his safe amounted TO
about s., 400. The cross examination by Mr. Hatch
was short and the only additional fact elected
that only books belonging TO the money order bus
mess, kept by witness, were stored in the safe.
Q. o. Berger. Testified as expert with regard
TO the kind of locks on the safes and their condi-
lion on the discovery of the robbery.
Ollie Swain An employee in the Office testified
to the presence at the Post Office on the evening
of the robbery of himself and David Manaku an
other employee. They were engaged in making
up inventory Of stock from $50 pm. 10 10. Mr.
Peterson the Assistant Postmaster was in and out
several times during those hours. When he left at
10 o'clock, Mr. Manaku left with him and Mr.
Peterson remained in the Office
David Manaku. Another Post Office employee
corroborated the testimony of Swain and in ad-
dition stated that Mr. Peterson did not appear to
be under the influence of liquor.
Robert More, practical machinist, lock and
gun-smith, testified to being called TO open the
money order safe, a dent made by a blow from
some hard instrument preventing the combination
from being worked. He also testified to the con
dition of the other safe fPeterson'sl as showing
no signs of violence Blow ON combination could
not have been struck before the safe was opened
nor could safe be opened without instrumental
after the blow was struck.
David Dayton: Was III Post Office January Sd;
made examination of condition of safes after
/ arrived; found hasp of HiGukG door, the screws
showed that instrument had been used from inside,
the bolt in lock was back l know where Mr. Peter
sons safe is; found it with both doors open; 10
marks OF violence, locks in perfect order. Mr..
Peterson used his keys on arrival, they worked
perfectly; examined other safe, that was closed;
noticed that the flange over the dial was bruised
by blow from some hard substance Saw Mr.
More open safe: noticed drawer bursted.
Cross examined: Door with hasp off led TO back
yard. Hasp and screws do not indicate violence
beng used. Think the hasp was taken of from
the inside. air. Marcos, think handed me the
hasp. Screws would fit the place. Had conversa-
ton with Mr.. Peterson that morning. lie seemed
TO say that the safe was not locked: hink that
Bethel street door was all right
Kaaloa: l work in Post Office; left Post Office
January 2nd at $3.50; went to Mr.. PeteTson's. at
$50 went TO my own house; at 1870 a. m. Jan. d,
went and harnessed horse, and at Mr.. Peterson
and self went down town; got to Post Office about
5:l5. Mr.. Peterson and went in together. First
lighted lamp; then Mr.. Peterson went to telephone
TO ask how far off is the Kinau -; noticed safe
in inner room tthe Magneso Calcite) OPEN was
not much alarmed, but looking down on the floor
saw money, certificates, sticking out of envelope;
then went to iHniJEd door. 1t was closed, butt
easily pulled it open. 1t opened easily; not locked
Mr. Peterson then took lamp from me and looked
at his own safe. He did not go right up to the
safe; saw bills scattered on the floor. Mr.. Peter
son went into another room; he got hammer in
the office; he told me TO strike on Mr.. Wilfong's
safe combination (sensation). The doors of the
giaHkd door, and Mr.. Peterson told me to take off
the hasp. struck the hasp with the hammer and
then used the claws of the hammer TO get the hasp
off, Mr.. Peterson then telephoned TO the police |
station. After or minutes Charley Akau came. |
left the hasp some 4 or feet from the door in
side.
Cross examined: Have worked with Mr.. Peter
son at Post Office three years; knew did wrong
but was much excited it being early and we be-
ing the first there. thought the door not being |
injured we might be blamed. Mr.. Peterson told |
ne to take off the hasp. We did not talk any |
lbout it. did it as soon as he said so. thought
It was wrong after mutilated the safe, but was |
much excited and could not think clearly. The |
money was left on the floor. Akau came in an |
Swer to Peterson's telephone a native policeman
named Jack came next; Mr. kawainui came next; |
remained there nearly all the forenoon. MIR. |
Peterson stopped until after the policeman Jack |
anne, then he went out; he came back quite late. |
The Acknowledgement and Mr.. Gulck came there
md asked questions; / only told them what had |
line that struck that blow. Maybe Mr.. Peterson
las told before did. On Tuesday Mr.. DAYTON |
Isked me some questions.
BY Judge Preston: l cannot tell what became |
If the certificates. found key on the floor,
ort of picklock. Did not see it before. Identifies
rev.
BY Mr.. Hatch: Found the key on floor near the
loor.
Attorney General placed key and hasp in evil
lence.
Leiau an expressman testified to taking Peterson
lone from the Anchor Saloon about II p. IN. on
an. I'd.
Peter O'Sullivan, barkeeper testified to seeing |
PETERSON at the Anchor Saloon on Jan. 2nd, and |
gain on Jan. 9th. On the latter date Walker was
here; only conversation witness heard between
hem there was Walker asking Peteron to have
ome wine and p. declining.
Charles Akau: Am turnkey at the police station;
vas at Postotice $40 O'Clock Sunday morning, |
an Sd. When / got there saw Peterson and ma
i've near the Bethel street door. followed Peter
on in. Mr.. F. took me into the large room; he
aid, they have been robbing me-" 1 saw safe
loors open / asked him where were the keys, he |
aid he had them in his pocket. Went into back
DOM, showed me drawer, some papers and some
o cent pieces scattered about: asked how could |
,lace be robbed and the safe shut; he said he shut
be safe himself; / told him not to touch any
hing more. Was told back door open, went there,
aw door open, hasp on floor. Don't recollect see
ug key there, / told them to STAY there until re-
'orted to police station.
CrOss-examined: Did not tell my superior Off
er what Peterson had said; | did tell Mr.. Dayton,
bout noon on Sunday; saw quite number of pa
ers on the floor, saw some 10 cent pieces on the
oor, do not remember seeing any certificates.
eft native and Peterson together when / went
way.
W. H. Place. l was working for Mr. Walker on
an. ID at Royal Hotel. Was there that evening
Ir. Walker was there and Mr.. Peterson was there
lr. Peterson was there at Z. When he first came
Z, he only staid long enough to have drink. Mt
only staid short time, at 1870 Walker and Pc
5LSJI Cdiut III AVSblllbE anu went III DdCk TOOL0.
Vas in saloon all the evening; Mr.. Sharrat was in
he saloon at Z; Mr.. Peterson went out and home
nth him in a carriage; Mr. Walker did not 90 out
hen but afterwards. AT 1880 Mr.. Walker and
'etersOn came in and went together in back room.
lad drinks and then went out together. Mr.. Pc
erson did not come back. Mr.. Walker came back
bout IL; was closing up. The Royal Saloon is
II the corner of street. Mr.. Hastie was there
lie was there twice that evening. left Mr.. Has
lie there when went home, the saloon was closed,
10 one else was IN there.
Cross-examined: HASTE was not there when Mr.
'etersop was there. Walker went out about 1890
'eterson drank every time he came in; Mr. p
rank claret; first time a claret punch, in the room
lain claret. He was used TO coming in every day
lave been employed there over two months.
De Graves, a hack liver testified to taking
'eterson and Sharratt away in hack between
even and eight O'Clock on Jan. 2nd. Came by
'ost Office between ten and eleven o'clock. there
1as no light visible.
A recess was now taken, it being noon the Court
citing p. N. as the hour for reassembling. At
hat hour all we're present and the prosecution
roceeded by calling
Manuel Phillips, who testified to having been
mployed by Hastie on Jan. End and to hearingt
Walker and HASTE in conversation that day. That
iastie closed his place up early to visit Walker,
nd that he had since heard that Hustle had
skipped" the country.
Captain Mehrtens, police officer testified to be-
ng about the Post Office at midnight on the 2nd
f January. Saw that Post Office light was out
old policeman to keep a good lookout. Went to
teamer Likslke at $50. Saw Hastie at midnight
n the steamer Mardron Jan. 9th. Have not seen
i'm since.