The record-union., 1892-03-15
YOKOHAMA ADVICES.
INQUIRY INTO THE KILLING OF G.
G. ROBINSON.
Verdict Charging Lieutenant Hether-
ington With WilIful Murder
Elections for the Diet.
Special to the REcoRp-uS1os.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoS.
YOKOHAMA, Feb. 25.-The inquest into
the circumstances attending the death OF
George Cover Robinson, prominent
broker and society man, who was shot
by Lieutenant j. II. Hetherington of the
United States steamship Marion on Feb
ruary 18th, was concluded on the 18th,
with a verdict charging Hetherington
with willful murder.
The latter had accused Robinson OF
alternating his wife's affections from him,
and, meeting Robinson, who was driving
with a friend named NJ. Pors, on the
afternoon Of the 18th, Hetherington fired
three shots at Robinson, one bullet pass
ing close to Pors, the second also flying
wide of its mark, but the third striking
Robinson in the side, shattering his hip,
the bali travelling forward and upward
until it reached the stomach. Robinson
was carried into the United Club building
where he fingered until 1850 o. clock sun
day night, February the 18th, when he
died. Before his death Robinson caused
& letter to be written to United States
admiral Belknap expressing pardon Tor
Hetherington's act, and requesting that
the utmost possible leniency might be
shown in dealing with the case.
Many prominent officials and residents
of Yokohama We're present at the Inquest.
DR.. Wheeler testified that he found Il
bullet in Robinson's abdomen. and that
death was caused by hemorrhage there
Irom. DIR. Eldridge testified that Robin
son told him in an indirect way who fired
the fatal shot, and added: doctor, ii !
get through this time alive, he'll finish
me next time" The doctor replied: No;
il you recover, he'll be out OF the way of
doing you any mischief" On Robinson
asking what the doctor meant, the latter
stated that HeJherington would be ar
rested. Robinson responded: Good
God, that viii never do; 1t will ruin the
poor fellow"
After repeating this several times, Rob
inson asked DIR. Eldridge to write from
dictation to Admiral Belllnap. In the
letter Robinson used the phrase, as nearly
as witness could remember, to the fol-
lowing effect: '1f anything from me can
make the position OF Lieutenant Hether-
jngton easier or better, | shall be very
glad. | fully forgive him."
Other evidence before the jury about
the shooting did not vary from the par
ticulars already published.
The jury, after delIberatIon OF about
fourteen minutes, returned the following
verdict: I'VE find from the evidence
laid before Us that George Cover Robin
son, a broker of Yokohama, died sun
day, February Il, 1892, from a bullet
wound intiicted by j. II. Hetherington,
Lieutenant of the United States navy, on
Saturday, February Is, 1892, at a little
after 6aP. NJ, on the Bund, Yokohama,
and we find said j. Ii. Hetherington
guilty of willful MURDER
Roblnson'S funeral took place Eebru-
ary I'D, and was attended by a majority
of the leading residents of Yokohama
and Toxic, the foreign diplomatic corps
being well represented, ). Dun, United
States Charge d'Atiaires, being among
the number. The funeral took place
from Christs Church which was flied,
many ladies being among those present.
Rev. e. &. Irvine otficiated, and the
English liturgy was used. The coffin
was covered 10y many floral tributes.
The remains were escorted to the grave,
which is in the vicinity of German Con-
sui Zapper's tomb, by eight pail bearers,
and was followed by the general COM
munity, making one of the most numer-
ously attended funerals ever seen in
Yokohama.
Hetherington is understood to have
been removed from the Marion to the
United States Consulate.
WILL NOT BE CONVICTED OF MURDER.
SAN Francisco, March 4.-Rear Ad-
miral BeIknap was interviewed TO-DAY
by an Associated Press representative
concerning the Hetherington tragedy AT
Yokohama. While refusing to express an
opinion as 10 the business of Hethering-
TOMS act, the Admiral intimated that
public opinion in Yokohama was not all
against Hetherington, although the oc-
currence is deeply deplored by every
body. The Admiral stated that Hether-
ington is now in custody at the United
States Consulate. When asked for copy
of the letter written to him by Robinson,
just before the latter's death, the Admiral
said the original was in the hands OF
Hetherington's counsel, and a copy of it
had been forwarded to the department at
Washington. The letter was brief, and
was substantially the same as was stated
at the inquest. 1t neither denied nor
affirmed the charges made by Hethering-
ton, but merely expressed forgiveness
for the Lieutenant's foolish act''
MIR. Hetherington will not be con-
victed of murder" were the Adlniral's s
closing remarks on the subject.
ELECTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE DIET.
The elections for members of the
Japanese Diet are practically finished.
but the exact result is unknown. The
Government newspapers claim major
ity of about twenty, but this figure is
reached by counting all the independents
as Government supporters. The cleo
tions have been distinguished by riots
anu aSsaullS. lueTe having Deen twenty
persons killed and one hundred and forty
wounded at various times during the
campaign. It is reported that Count Ito,
President of the Privy Council, has sent
IN his resignation.
Intelligence received from the polling
places show that very small proportion
OF those entitled to the elective franchise
exercised the privilege OF voting, in the
metropolis fully 25 per cent. of the voters
refraining from casting ballots. The
and fear of violence. General charges OF
intimidation and bribery have been made
in some sections, and in one precinct tile
ballot-box WAS surreptitiously made
away with.
ADJUSTMENTS