The record-union., 1898-07-29
APPARENTLY INFANTICIDE.
JAPANESE WHO rs IN A TIGHT
PLACE.
Y. Tanaka Under Arrest for the
Murder Of His Newborn
Infant.

Infant.
A gruesome scene was enacted last
night on the bank of China Slough,
once known as Lake Como" That
was when the late respected Improve
ment Association conceived the idea Of
having the foul slough, or pond, emp
tied cleansed and preserved as lake
on which gondolas should glide in the
soft summer nights, and lovers stroll
on the grass covered banks.
But the old slough is still there Cmi-
nus the gondolas), with its accumula-
ton of rubbish, and instead Of its
banks being grass clad they are strewn
with tin cans, old clothes and all sorts
of cast away truck.
AS the novelist would say, eve di-
gress'' hence to our story About 3
o'clock a Record Union" reporter went
to the bank of the slough, between
Fifth and Sixth streets, and there found
Chief of Police Dwyer, officer Maley
and two Japs. Deputy Coroner Clar-
ence Clark arrived just as the reporter
got there, carrying a small rough cof-
fin under one arm. He said he was
hunting for an exhumation party and
expected to have murdered infant in
the box on his return.
AS the Deputy Coroner and the re-
porter We're on the same mission, they
searched about in the dark for While
and finally caught a glimpse of a Ian
tern down in the grass and brush under
the overhanging bank At the same
time they heard a noise such as is
made by person in the agonies of
IL
climbing up the bank He was hold
ing his nose and striking blindly for
some spot where he could get fresh
air.
1t proved to be officer Fisher. He
beckoned the visitors down a narrow,
dusty pathway toward where the Ian
tern flickered, but kept on his way. And
he never came back.
Descending the bank the group were
found as before stated. Chief Dwyer
was holding the lantern and Officer
Maley was holding his nose with one
hard While the other brandished a
shovel with which he was trying to fan
himself. The two Japs stood stolidly
by.
There it is,'' said the Chief to the
Deputy Coroner, pointing to a freshly
X,
which was a bundle of rags tied with
a cord. There's the body"
The eXhumed bundle was laid in the
little coffin by the light of the lantern,
Deputy Clark gently covered it with
clean. white cloth, and then picked up
the coffin and carried it away to his
buggy on | street.
The bundle contained the body Of
I<x. L l.
Gas is alleged) by its father, Y Tanaka
one or the Japs who had assisted in
the eXhumation.
The story of the alleged infanticide.
briefly told, is as follows: A few days
ago rumor reached Chief Dwyer's ears
that a japanese couple had done away
with their newborn babe, and the Chief
detailed Officers Fisher and Maley to
investigate the case
The officers found Japanese who in
formed them that a woman who had
acted as nurse to Mrs Tanaka had
stated that the child was born strong
and lusty. The parents had made no
provision for the newcomer, and she
had gone downstairs to get some cloth
ing for the infant When she returned
to the room she was told by the hus-
band that the child had died It's body
had been placed in a bucket that stood
near by.
When the police went after Tanaka
about the alleged infanticide he pro-
duced a physicians certificate to the
effect that it was a case of still-birth.
The physician was called on and he said
Tanaka had come to him with the
statement that the child was born at
house mile and a half out in the coun-
try, and that it was stillborn He did
not doubt the statement and gave the
certificate accordingly.
Up to that time the officers had not
learned where the mother was Tanaka
insisted that she was in the country and
that the child was buried over In YoIo.
but another japanese, an interpreter
was found, who knew the facts, and he
was finally made to understand that he
had no right to conceal the truth in
such a case.
He then told what he knew, and Ia
naka was so closely cornerad that yes
terday he Informed the officers where the
child was buried. SO last night the two
,Japs and the officers went to the bank
of the slough and exhumed the body of
murdered child, as stated.
Tanaka does not admit that the child
was killed, but still insists it was still
born. The nurse, however, declares
that she heard the infant cry Justify
while she was out of the room where it
was born.
The officers say the mother-whose
confinement occurred about a week ago
still lies on the floor of the room.
which is in foul condition Her feet
! are swollen and her condition is said to
be pitiful. Tanaka is in jail.
Chief Dwyer and Officers Fisher and
Maley worked hard to get at the truth
of the crime and their labors have been