The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-02-26
HOW IT APPEARED
Deputy Sheriff coney
Talks of Koolau's Grave.
Outlaw and His Rifle Buried To
gether-Remains Wrapped
in Coat.

Koolau, the notorious Kalalau Val
ley leper brigand, is dead, and the state
ment made in the Advertiser several
months ago stands, although it was
contradicted on all sides. The first
news came through a most reliable
source to a relative of Koolau, now liv
ing in this city. Proof of his death has
at last come to light.
After Deputy Sheriff Coney had cap
tured Cullen on February 18th. he
learned that he had found the grave
of Koolau near the brigand's strong
hold at the very top of Kalalaa Valley.
Wishing to satisfy himself in regard 10
the matter, and 20 be able tc convey
accurate information 20 police head
quarters in Honolulu he determined tc
find the grave.
With a reliable police officer, John
l, he went up into the valley 10 the
place indicated-a situation that is
spoken of as being one of the most
dangerous on the Islands. The strong
hold of Koolau was in the place indi-
Gated. Entering it the officers found, as
had been stated, that the place bore
appearances of having been deserted
for several months. Not a vestige Of
clothing was found; not cooking uten-
sill was discovered, but opihi shells
abounded. From the stronghold, the
officers set out to find the grave of the
notorious leper. They had not long to
search. In amongst the thick growth of
ii leaves and other tropical growth was
a spot which itself had been with ferns.
The officers set to work at once, and
were soon throwing the dirt right and
| left in their excitement
They came to a sudden halt in their
operations, for not more than a foot
and a half down they struck something
hard and found couple of rough
boards. Removing these they found a
body, the lower part of which was
wrapped in coarse gray blanket, and
the upper part in an old oilskin rain
coat, thrown completely over the head
and buttoned in the back These wrap
pings were torn off, and there lay dis
closed. the body of Koolau, with his
hands folded over the barrel of his
trusty Mauser rife, the stock of which
was resting on his chest At his side
lay tin, in which was a hand satchel
such as is used by women, filled with
cartridges of 1876 and a caliber, for
rifles, and So ealiber, for the brigand's
revolver. The body appeared to have
been in the ground for about five or six
months.
Tho carD,an Maucar riAa of AZ ~
caliber was pretty badly rusted, but
after little work was rendered quite
presentable. After taking the rife and
covering the body over again, the of
ficers market the trees round about,
and left other marks, so as to be able
to find the spot again, should occasion
require.
Koolau's wife and son, the latter bad
ly affected with leprosy, were nowhere
to be found. 1t is believed that they
have gone to another locality. The man
who was Koolau's companion. dsiap-
peared about the time it is supposed
that the latter died.
The gun captured from Pat Cullen
was the Winchester carbine at one time
owned by Koolau. This is quite a
relic. The stock was made by Koolau
himself from the wood of the Pride OF
India. 1t is beautifully finished and
carved. On either side of the stock
about half way down, is the head of a
dog, an exact copy of the head on the
belt worn by Koolau while living.
The two guns, together with the cart
ridges. are now in the possession Of
Marshal Brown