The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-08-11
YOKOHAMA CRIME
The Suspect Miller Held
For Trial.
Results OF Investigation by IA.
parss poiics snow Clear I, ase
Az aims 'hs amsr,car.

Robert Miller. the American accused
Of having perpetrated the horrible
triple murder In Yokohama recently,
has had his preliminary examination
in japanese court and has been COM
mitted for trial on the charge of will
full murder. From the statement OF
the Judge who conducted the prelimi-
nary examination, the following facts
are taken by the japan Mail. Robert
Miller, an American citizen 10 years
Of age, served as an able-bodied sea-
man on the American ship Tam-o'-
Shanter, where he gained a very bad
character for violence and brutality.
On April q he deserted from the ship
in Yokohama harbor and thenceforth
became loafer in that place. He had
a sum OF A yen when he deserted, and
he spent part OF the money at a drink
ing saloon and lodging house kept by
a japanese woman, TonOoka Suye. He
ingratiated himself with Suye by col
lecting debts from her foreign custom
ers, seamen and such folk, some Of
whom would have eluded payment had
they had woman only to deal with.
Suye's establishment was registered
in the name of George Henry, sea-
man Of the United States ship Olympia.
When. however, the time for the OPP
Grafton of the revised treaties was at
hand, Suye saw that inconvenience
might be caused by carrying on busi-
ness in the name OF a man who did
not reside in Yokohama. She thought
of registering in her own name, but
the nature of her business suggested
the advisability of continuing the for
eign-protectiOn' system as far as pos
sible. Miller seemed just the kind OF
person to suit her purpose, and she
made the proposition to him. He ac-
cepted 1t with delight, and 1t was ar
ranged that an application in due form
should be sent to the United States
Consulate on July Is. But. in the
meanwhile, Suye began to entertain
doubts as to the wisdom OF her choice.
She saw Miller in something of his
true light, and on July 16 she informed
him of her resolve to make no change
in the registration.
In the meanwhile there had ap-
peared another lOafer upon the scene
In the person of Nelson Ward, young
seaman Of the American ship Robert
Sax 90. He had deserted in Hakoda-
te in April and made his way to Yo-
kohama. Ward was good-looking and
aped the gentleman with some sue
cess. He succeeded in dipping two or
three foreigners into lending him
money, and in due course he found his
way to the Rising Sun Inn.
At s o'clock on the morning or the
18th Miller rose, and possessed him
self of claw-hammer which was ~
ing on the counter. He went to Ward's
side and, finding razor, attempted to
use it on the sleeping man. But the
edge turned. Ward raised himself par
tally. and, before he could make any
effectual resistance, Miller battered
out his brains with the hammer, in
Gicting nine terrible wounds on his
head and face. Going upstairs, the
murderer found the girl Aki lying
asleep on her right side. He dealt her
a fatal blow just above the left ear and
followed 1t by four other crushing
strokes on the skull. All this had not
disturbed Suye. She was still sleepine
soundly when Miller came to her bed
Upon her he wreaked his full fury
planting no less than eleven furious
blows on her skull and face, SO that
her head presented the appearance OF
being honey-combed. The place was
like a shambles, strewn with Jumps OF
flesh and brains and stained with
blood.
Such is the gist OF the judges fnd'
ing. A large number of witnesses, In
Guiding several foreigners OF various
nationalities, were examined, ard the
proofs of Miller's guilt are decla ed tc
be conclusive. The case Is an iinpor.
tant one, as being the first criminal
case against foreigner to be triei D!
the Japanese courts under the new