The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-02-24

FRIENDS OF DEAD JAPANESE
WOMAN so STATE.
Taru Was IIomesick and Ended Her
Life During Fit of Despondency-
Police Cling to Murder Theory.


The mystery surrounding the death
of 1aru, the Japanese woman found
hanging by her neck on the schooner
Kulamanu, gives every promise of be
ing cleared up in another twentyfour
hours. Marshal Brown and his men
have as yet, discovered no important
evidence touching upon the case, but
The Star has obtained information
from parties which will undoubtedly
satisfy the coroner's jury that it is u
pure case of suicide.
This information will reach the po-
lice station this afternoon. A Japan
ese servant and his wife, who are en-
ployed at u large Nuuanu street resi-
dence, have a complete knowledge of
the affairs of Taru and her husband,
Joe. The Japanese woman stated to a
Star reporter this morning that Taru
undoubtedly committed suicide.
She said that the woman has been
frightfully homesick and that she has
wanted to return home for many
weeks. She states that Taru had pic
lures of her father and mother and
that she was continually crying over
them. At one time she became so
Respondent that she resolved to kill
herself. She wrote her husband a let
ter bidding him good bye and would
have surely destroyed herself had it
not been for the timely interference
of her husband, who Glanced to re-
ceive the letter in time. This was but
II few weeks ago.
On Sunday night last Taru and her
husband Joe aud the Nuuanu street
servants went out together to make a
call on some friends. The Nuuanu
people left before Taru and her hus-
band. When taking their leave a coat
belonging to Joe was on Taru's arm.
They asked her why she had this and
she simply laughed. On the following
day Taru's body was found on the
schooner and about her was this same
coat.
Later Sunday night Joe came to the
Nuuanu Japanese servants and en-
quired for his wife, stating that she
had wandered off. lie was unable to
find her and he never saw her alive
after that.
To the Japanese woman who was
Taru's closest friend and companion,
the dead woman stated on Thursday
last that she had but three days to
live. She gave it as her intention to
do away with herself and asked why
she did this, Taru replied that she was
not happy. She wanted to see her
folks but had no means with which to
do so.
The Nuuanu people say that Taru
has been very gloomy and downheart-
ened for some days past. She was not
IA bit happy.
They also explain the most perplex-
ing part of the mystery, and that is
the knot. Both said that Taru could
tie the knot easily, as can most all
Japanese. The woman took a rope
and tied the identical knot about her
neck.
Marshal Brown does not take much
stock in the suicide theory. The man
ner in which the body was found sus-
pended shuts it out almost completely.
The Marshal has a new clue, which he
thinks will lead to some sensational
developments. 1t points to murder.
The evidence he has is purely of cir
cumstantial character, but he thinks
it is sufficiently strong to be convinc-
ing. OF course he was unwilling to
discuss the evidence for publication.
AS result of the new developments
Marshal Brown has decided to post
pone the inquest for another day or
two, in order to give his officers more
time to work up the case.