The herald., 1895-02-16
How Davies Statement Was
Obtained
STRUNG UP BY THE THUMBS
Peculiar "Legaf' Process Invoked by
Hawaiian Officials
The Master Of the Contraband Steamer
NaimanaIo tainted Under the
Terrible Punishment.

of the government of Hawaii in conduct
ing it's treason cases was due to the in
eliminating evidence given by Captain
William Davies of the steamer Wal
manalo.
The manner in which the sworn state
ment was wrung from Davies is interest
ing, as showing the peculiar legal pro-
cess at present existing in the Hawaiian
Islands.
Davies and his mate, Knudsden, were
arrested on the morning of January 5th.
Knudsden made confession, telling what
little he knew. Davies, who is an Ameri-
can citizen, refused to give any informa-
tion, and while protesting his innocence,
demanded an interview with the United
States minister. This was refused.
Davies was then taken into the prison
yard where he was shown two ringbolts
in the wall above his head. The uni
formed inqusitors of the Government
then gave the Captain to understand that
if complete confession was not forth
coming he would be strung mp by his
thumbs. Davies did not tiinch but de-
manded that if the American Minister
could not come the Consul General should
be informed that he, as an American citi-
zen, wished to see him.
His protest was in vain. His legs were
bound below the knees and his thumbs
were lashed with whipcord to the ring
bolts. A box was placed below him SO
that the unfortunate mans toes Just
touched it.
Davies was stripped to the waist, while
Marshal Hitchcock, Attorn ey-G General
Smith and Surgeon General Cooper, with
a stenographer, awaited the statement
which they believed would be shortly
forthcoming. They were mistaken.
Davies would not weaken. Sweat oozed
from every pore. The strong man in his
agony begged drop of water to cool the
thirst that consumed him. The tendons
of the victims limbs stood out like
strands of rope; blood vessels knotted on
arms and legs, swelling as if ready to burst
with congested blood restrained in
its course by his abnormal position. His
tormentors urged him to implicate all
known to be politically opposed to their
methods, without avail. Davies refused to
surrender the secret he had sworn to pro-
his respiration that it would be impossi-
BILE to hold out longer nature succumbed
and-Davies, cursing the fends who were
torturing him, tainted.
DR.. Cooper used salts of ammonia to re-
vive the Captain, who had passed into the
painless realms of Inconsistencies. As
soon as he revived two negro convicts sus-
pended him again by his thumbs. This
inhuman operation was begun at noon
and it was O'Clock in the evening before
Davies, more dead than alive, made the
statement which respited him from the
inhuman barbarity of his prosecutors.
Another case Of torture was brought to
light in military inquiry. A young ma
tive, who was known to be intimate with
Carl Widemann, was handcuffed at the
wrists and ankles. Then, with a refine
ment of cruelty which would shock Per-
sian satrap, he was placed in a tank of
ice-cold water. He was kept there until
circulation of the blood in the extremities
had almost ceased and DR.. Cooper, who
appears in the unenviable light of an arch
inquisitor, declared that the action of
the heart was almost suspended.
The chief of police, Marshal Hitchcock,
had the young Kanaka taken from the
tank and, after being restored from his
condition of Inconsistencies, the tor
ture was administered again. Flesh and
blood could stand such inhumanity no
longer and the much-needed confession
was given.
But one man will be sent on the Mari
posa. His name is E, Franz aged 49, and
is charged with conspiracy
On the steamer Australia, leaving here
m bo l,or &c
under arrest will be allowed to leave the
country, with the understanding that
they cannot return without the permission
of the Government. In the meantime an
act will be passed to cover their cases. 1t
Is understood that the law will prohibit
their return.
Among the men who will be allowed to
leave will be James Brown, Fred Wunden-
burg, George Ritman, John White,
Charles Creighton, Z. B. Thomas and F.
H. Redward
White and Ritman made the dynamite
shells that were to be used by the rebels.
Peterson and Creighton were both Cabinet
officers at one time. Wundenburg was
formerly Postmaster General.
Up to this date the military court has
disposed of sixty-five cases. it convicted
sixty-two men, acquitted two and one
case, that of the ex-Queen, is pending.
Since last advices the court has tried
twenty-one native rebels, and V. V. Ash
ford, John Cummings, John Wise, Cap
tain Davies. John f. Bowler and V. V.
Ashford have been found guilty of mis-
prision and treason. Cummns and Davies
both pleaded guilty OF treason. The lat
ter was the master of the steamer Wal
manalo, the vessel that landed arms for
the rebels.
The government has liberated John s.
Walker, Thomas Rawlins and Henry
Swinton on their own recognizances. The
men are charged with conspiracy. 1t is
understood that number of the prison
ers who have business interests will be
liberated after the departure of the Mari
posa.
A well defined rumor says that Admiral
Beardslee has instructions to raise the
flag OF the United States over Pearl Har-
Dor. 1t is indicated that the United