Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-06-06
HAWAIIAN EXILE'S STORY.

p. M. Rooney, whose claim with a
number of others of Hawaiian fame
has been before the authorities at
Washington, has for the first time con.
sented to allow the press to publish his
grievances against the Dole Govern.
ment. Rooney was at one time chief
overseer for Spreckels, the sugar king
and during later years was leading
newspaper man of the islands. He
wants $4,000 damages, and some
months ago employed John p. Irish, OF
San Francisco, to represent him
Rooney's statement is sworn one and
reads as follows:
81, p. M. Rooney, American citizen
was born in Duchess county, State of
New York, in 1849. / resided in Lin.
coin, Placer county, CAL, from 1868 to
1879, then went to Hawaii and engaged
in the sugar business. was for years
head overseer of the Spreckels planta'
ton, and afterwards manager of the
Daily Holomau Publishing Company
which concern published newspapers
in the English and Hawaiian languages
whose policy was not in accord with
existing government. On January z
1895, was at my home in Honolulu
with my wife and three children, when
two or more members of the socalled
Citizens Guard armed with rifles,
came to my house, arrested me and
told me that the marshal had sent for
me. / was forced to 60 with them. I
asked that they show their warrant
They refused, and putting their guns
to my head, said they had been sent to
bring me, and | must go. / was taken
to the police station and searched like
common felon. Money and private
papers were taken from me. / asked
the clerk what charge was against me.
He told me no charge, but added, Go
below anyway The prison was full
OF arrested suspects.
"After remaining in the prison about
an hour, was ordered to fall into line
and with fifteen others was marched
through the streets of Honolulu, under
heavy guard Of armed men, to Oahu
prison. was placed in a small eel
without bed or bedding. During the
same night another prisoner, Carl
Blume, was placed in the cell with me
/ asked for something to eat, but could
get nothing. We finally succeeded in
getting cup of poor tea and one hard
tack each. Had nothing more to eat
until IL o'clock, noon, next day. was
confined for forty-tWo days, during
which time was refused to see my
wife and children, but finally my wife
was permitted to make me few brief
visits. was not informed as to the
cause of my arrest, and was denied
trial and bail. [ was in no way con-
cerned in the revolt, nor had L any
knowledge Of its progress until l read
the reports of the opening scenes of
strife. l was not member of any or
ganization, revolutionary or otherwise.
"After about six weeks imprison-
ment was offered by the marshal the
option of remaining in prison or going
into exile. 1 had lost health and
strength, and became partially crippled
from confinement. My family had suf-
fered great distress, and mob violence
was threatened prisoners, so l was
forced to accept the governments offer
to allow me to leave the country in
safety, provided that i should never
return. had established my home in
Hawaii, intending to remain there. l
own my own home there, and 1 have
been put to great expense through the
actions of the PROFESSIONALS. l deem
myself aggrieVed to the extent of
$4,000.