The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-15
Hetherington Must Answer the
Charge Of Willful Murder at
Yokohama
But the Verdict Of the Coroner's
Jury is Without Legal
Significance.
Story of MRS. Hetherlngton's Conduct by
Surgeon Who Was in Yokohama
at the Time.

Yokohoma say: The inquest on the
remaina Of George Cover Robinson,
killed Feb. 18th, by Lieut.. j. n. Hether
inRton, of the U. S. s. Marion, resulted ii
verdict Of wilful murder. Before his
death, Robinson caused a letter to be writ.
ten 70 Admiral Balknap. Ho expressed par
don for HetherinQton's act and requested
that the utmost possible lensncy be shown
in dealing with tho case. Robuaon't
funeral Fob. g. was attended by a majority
of the leading residents, tho foreign d1plo-
matte CORPS being well represented. Heth
erlngton is understood to have been
removed from the Marion to the United
States consulate. The coroner's iury
which heard the evidence, was composed Of
three foreign residents named A. Lepre-
vost, George Allcock and T.. II. Box, The
FORMER, N q communication to the japan
MAIL SAID he did not personally accept nll
| conclusions reached in the verdict owing
70 the fact that evidence as to Hstherinp-
| toms identity was Of fimay and irregular
nature, but he sigued the paper, being
aware any verdict could accomplish moth
ing ~ legal sense. There is no truth
in the statement published that Mrs,
Hetherington attended dinner the night
OF the shooting. She went to her husband
as soon a. she heard Of tho tragedy.
Ihe shooting has excited much gossip in
navy and social circlen both here and in the
cast. Hetherington WAS liked by his fellow
officers, and although he had spent but u
brlet time on this coast number of naval
men who knew him on other stations said
yesterday that they thought him genial
fellow and an efficient officer, and that so
far as they could see he bad only protected
MS honor IN tho recent unhappy affair.
Dr. Northfleet, who is absent on sick
leave from tho United States steamer
Monocacy, of which he is the surgeon, has
different version however, and one which
casts an entire.v new light upon the assas-
sination. He said:
- was in Yokohama at the time Of the
shooting, and while | admit that there was
great indignation among the British resi-
aents q the place, think the reports have
been exaggerated in this respect How
svsr, many Of tho naval officers and their
indignation, for the reason that Mrs. Heth-.
erlngtons conduct during her two or three
months stay had boen involved in SO much
folly aa to be q cause for gossip.
Mrs, Hetherlngton arrived in Yokohama
on the Chlnn IN the middle of October, and
ioui Iao Ais9 aAY o. Hef stay IN the Grand
hotel she seemed to lay herself out to fas-
cinate the male guests. She would glance
about the different tables at dinner time.
ogllng the mon and smiling with a self
conscious air She amused most of the
men whom she made her target. At dinners
and balls she would hirt desperately, and
her light ahrill laughter could be heard in
tho piazzas and conservatories at almost
all hours. Cover Robinson was man
and flirted of course, az hand
some men generally do. Still it is unjust
to say that 1t was all on his side What
Hetherlngton may havs discovered in the
corresnondence between his vito and Rob-
1nson 90 not know, nor do think any
one else does, save the husband and wife |
At all events, he had a meeting with Rob |
lnson, ard the latter agreed to cease all at
tentlons to the wife and leave for Kobe. in |
southern Japan. This he did, departing
with his friend, nj. Piers.
"He had been gone about ten DAYS and
nil gossip about him had subsided. when Ia
WI ote lette. to Lieutenant Hethorinp,on
OF some length. In this letter. of which he
retained copy. he stated his regret at the
previous unhappy occurrences and sipnified |
his wish to return to England should |
ietherlngton consider such move best
Tor all parties concerned. However, lie
thought that there had been sufficient
worry and turmoil over the affair, and that
certainly there could be no further reason
For Hetherington's fears, and if the latter
agreed with him he would at any time
designated by Hetherington return to
Yokohama. Now Piers says Tint Hether-
ngton at once telegraphed to Robinson
hat he might return to Yokohama, and
hat it WAS immeditely on his arrival that
iethernGton waylaid and killed him. In
nediately after the funeral of Robinson
Tiers left for Kobe to search for this tela-
ram among the effects of Robinson there,
'ut when left he had not set returned''