The Hawaiian gazette., 1902-08-05
bLACKMA|l
IN A|LO
Japanese Is Murdered
for Not Paying
Ransom.

HlLp. July 3l.-Nhat appears at hrst
glance az a case ~ murder as the result
uf a conspiracy occurred some time
during Friday last and was reported
tu tre police about half past eight in
the evening. IL seems almost impossi-
BILE to realize that such condition Of
affairs could exist outside the boun-
daries OF a brigand camp in Italy.
on lower Front street is a building
occupied as "A hotel and managed by
Funakoshi, gambler and slave
owner. The hotel is a resort for dis
reputable characters who act as lieu
tenants for Funakoshi. Besides wife
this latter has two and possibly three
mistresses. who are said to contribute
toward his support Stories are told
that japanese laborers from planta-
tions are relieved of their money by
the gang of thugs and are sometimes
beaten. 1t is said also that they have
levied blackmail in systematic man
ner upon merchants of their national
ity, and when the amount has not been
forthcoming the merchants have been
beaten.
Th. man found dead on Friday was
Motto Hiro. reputable carpenter, and
one Uno had saved from his earnings
considerable money He fell in love
with me of Funakoshi's mistresses.
Funaxoshi was willing to part COM
pany with the woman for valuable
consideration.
Thursday last was to have been set
Ting DAY and Motto Hiro was to hand
over 5000 but he did not materialize.
Thursday night he retired to sleep in
his cottage back of the store. At one
a. IN. ne was awakened by two Jap
anese knocking on his door He was
taken by them to Funakoshi's hotel,
where he was confronted by 16 Jap
anese. most of them thugs and gam
bers.
Here he was surrounded and de-
mand made upon him for $1,000 which
he steadfastly refused to pay. Finally
the men assaulted him and he was
taken to room and locked in. At
a. IN. Hatas brother began a search,
which ended at Funakoshis. Here
he was told that Motto Hiro had
been found in room with a woman
and damages had been demanded, and
that Moto Hiro had been locked in the
room and given time to consider.
Hata's brother was allowed to see Moto
Hiro and found the latter weak from
punishment and unable to do much
talking He complained of being hun
cry and said they would not let him
have anything to eat
Japanese carpenters at once decided
to raise the money to pay the ransom
BY night time they had secured 5000
and when one of the men waited on
Funakoshi II was discovered that Motto
ro was dead.
When the police reached the room
Motto Hiro was found with two stab
To, nd lNFin dor
his arm was the knife with which the
deed was done. on the floor two jap
anese swords were lying. To the po-
lice il was said by some men in the
place that the murdered man had been
found in the room with the woman IN
the case and that the swords had been
given them by which they might take
their lives in true Japanese style.
All the occupants of the hotel were
arrested. ON saturday some ATTORNEYS
. were asked to look after their interests
but the Sheriff declined to permit them
to see the prisoners until formal
charge was made against them. On
Monday a demand was made upon the
Sheriff and the matter was argued in
the District Court. 1t was not finish
ed by p. M. and an adjournment was
taken until Wednesday,
Among the JAPANESE TeSluenls bhSie
is no desire shown TO give out to the
public more than vague information;
they admit that they are in dread OF
the men and that trouble will come 20
them in the event of the prisoners be-
ing released. They say that other muir
ders will follow this case If the men
are not prosecuted.
on Wednesday ten other japanese,
including three women, all OF them
held for investigation in the case, were
in the District Court while the same
points were being argued. Judge Ha-
pal pursued the same course as in the
Funakoshi case and the prisoners were
remanded. Shortly afterward the at
torneys presented their petition for
writ of habeas corpus before Judge
Little. The petition was granted and
l:30 p. m. set for the argument.-HIlo
Herald.
Tho Mani RaCaa