The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-06-15
DowsETT DEAD.
a Notable Pioneer Gone to His Last
Rest.

The death Of James l. Dowsett,
which occurred at the Queens Hos
pital at 1926 p. m. yesterday was not
unexpected, but it caused sincere
grief in the community where the
deceased had hosts OF friends and
no foes.
The history OF Kimo Pelekane,
the name under which the Hawai-
iaEs knew him, is romantic, and, il
published in full, would be con-
sidered fiction by those who "do
not know"
Many years ago the father of the
deceased was the commander OF
British revenue cutter stationed
near the then penal settlement of
New South Wales. In the year 1926
he married Miss Bishop in Sydney
then small village in Australia.
He left his Government employ
ment through ll-health, and in 1923
he arrived here ia a merchant vessel
with his wife and his infant daugh-
ter Deborah who later on became
the wife Of Captain Rowland, and
who died without leaving issue.
In 1929, on the 18th of Deem
Der, Mr.. James l. Dowsett, the
deceased, was born, and he was fol-
lowed by Elizabeth, now Mrs. Mon
sarrat, and by Samuel Il. Dowsett,
at one time prominent business
man in Honolulu.
The father Of this interesting
family decided to enter into the
pearl fishing business, and had a
vessel fitted out for that purpose.
He reached the Piscadores Islands
where he was captured by the ma.
tives, and since then his fate has
been unknown. His mate cut the
cable OF the vessel when he smelled
danger and returned TO Honolulu.
The determined wife Of Captain
Dowsett did not propose 10 let mat
ters rest. With the help OF Henry
A. Pierce, the schooner Waverly
was fitted out and sent to the Pts
cadores. The schooner was captured
by the natives and the crew murder
ed, only one man escaping. He
eventually returned to Honolulu
and told his story His diary is in
the library OF the late Mr.. Dowsett
and contains most interesting mat
ters. Later on the help OF the
British Government was invoked by
the mother of Mr.. Dowsett and
Commodore Wilkes in charge of a
surveying expedition made a call at
the Piscadores but found only slim
traces Of the unfortunate gentleman
A British man Of war was sent to
the islands later on, but the final
fate Of Captain Dowsett was never
learned.
James l. Dowsett, whose death
we record, lived his whole life in
Honolulu and was closely connected
with our social, political and fnan-
cial interests. He never desired to
push himself forward and, although
a member of the House of Mobiles, a
Legislator and an intimate friend of
the rulers of the country, he never
played prominent role in the poll
tical affairs of the country.
The deceased married Miss Annie
Ragsdale, and eleven children are
the issue OF that union. The oldest
son who bore the initials of the
father died a few years ago, the
other children of the deceased sur
vive him.
Mr.. Dowsett leaves a handsome
estate for the benefit of his family.
Amongst the property can be men,
toned the Ulupalakua ranch on
Maui and the Leilehua ranch on
this island, besides the Puuloa salt
works and great deal OF real estate
in Honolulu.
1t is understood that Mr.. Dow.
sett has made a will through Mr.. l..
A. Thurston some years ago, in
which Mr.. Thurston is made admin
istrator and trustee Of the estate.