The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1895-12-23
MONDAY, DEC. %, 1896.
a TERRIBLE CONSPIRACY.
A Sarrow Escape for the Republic
of Hawaii

There was only an ordinary audi
ence in the District Court this
morning when the case against
Sheridan and Underwood, alleged
conspirators against the "best" Gov
ernment of Hawaii was called At
torney- General Smith was present
for few moments, and Minister
Cooper staid during the trial. Miss
Kate Field escorted by Consul Gen
eral Mills were seated next to the
prosecuting officers. After few
unimportant cases had been dis
posed of by Judge Perry. Deputy
Attorney General Carter presented
the following charge:
That, Frank Underwood aud w.
j. Sheridan, at Honolulu, Island of
Oahu, within two months past on
the 9th day Of December, 1895, did
maliciously and unlawfully conspire
together to overthrow and put down
and destroy by force the Govern
ment of the Republic of Hawaii,
aud to levy war against the Rspub-
lie of Hawaii, and to oppose by
foice the authority OF the Republic
of Hawaii contrary to Sec. v, Act
Ill, Laws of the Provisional Gov
ernment of Hawaii
The defendants, who are repre-
sented bv Mr.. Alexander Robertson,
pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution called as its first
witness:
Paul Neumann stated: | reside in
Honolulu; [ am lawyer; / know
defendants; | cannot fix the date of
first seeing the men; Underwood
came to my Office at the end of Nov
ember or beginning OF December; |
did not meet defendants together;
Underwood came to me in regard to
acquiring the Hayselden property
on Lanai for colonization scheme;
| cannot say if at that time fore
closure proceedings had been insti-
tuted at Lanai; he wanted to see
Hayselden in regard to Lanai; he
mentioned that he had been success
full in colonization in Guatemala,
and would like to go into similar
enterprise here; Defendant Sheri-
dan came to my house, if 1 recollect
rightly, in the beginning of Decem-
ber, enquiring for Hsyselden; told
him if he desired to talk business
with Hayselden he could leave his
business with me; he stated that
there was sporting organization
in the States represented by him,
who desired Lanai as a general
sporting place for gambling, horse
racing, ETC.; he claimed that he was
backed by lots of capitalists and
wanted the consent OF the Queen; |
asked him how her consent was
needed whea she wasn't queen now;
he told me a plan then to restore
the Queen; large force was behind
them; they would swoop down on
Hawaii and seize the local steamers;
they had 1900 men at Hilo and
numerous friends on Maui; but be-
fore moving they must have conces-
sions from the Queen; he mentioned
no names of any party here but
did mention those of certain sporting
men in the States; he did not mon
tion Underwood; | referred him to
Mr.. Hayselden; he also stated he
wanted to bring 200 men to Lanai
as colonists, as a nucleus for an
armed force; | cannot give any
statement in regard to his plans how
to capture the country; he seemed
to intend to capture the local steam,
ers at Maui, and then go to Hilc
where he would be joined by large
force; / don't remember that he
stated how the men were to come
here; it was absolutely necessary
stated Sheridan, to have the conces
sions from the Queen before the
arrangements could be made by his
hackers.
Cross-examined: An interview
took place on my verandah in the
afternoon; / have not seen him be
fore or since; the intention of the
man was evidently to see Hayselden
he wouldn't have spoken to me,
presume, had | not told him that
he could leave word on business fol
Hayselden with me; state honestly
that | thought he was one of the
celebrated Government spies; ht
acted just as foolish as they gener
ally do in coming to stranger tC
disclose his plans and not even make
it confidential; the sporting fratern
ity which he told me was behinC
were men disgusted on account ol
restrictions in New York and othe
places who wanted place for sport