The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-08-04
BLACKMA|L
IN HIL0
japanese Is Murdered
for Not Paying
Ransom.


glance as a case of murder as the result
of a conspiracy occurred some time
during Friday last and was reported
TO the police about half past eight IN
the evening 1t seems almost inpossi-
BILE to realize that such condition of
affairs could exist outside the boun-
diaries OF a brigand camp in Italy.
On lower Front street is building
occupied as hotel and managed by
Funakoshi, a gambler and slave
owner. The hotel is a resort for dis
reputable characters who act as lieu
tenants for Funakoshi. Besides a wife
this latter has two and possibly three
mistresses, who are said to contribute
toward his support. Stories are told
that Japanese Iaborers from planta-
tions are relieved of their money by
the gang of thugs and are sometimes
beaten. It is said also that they have
levied bIacknaiI in a systematic man
ner upon merchants of their national
ity, and when the amount has not been
forthcoming the merchants have been
beaten.
The man found dead on Friday was
Motto Hiro, reputable carpenter, and
one who had saved from his earnings
considerable money. He fell in love
with one of Funakoshi's mistresses.
Funakoshi was willing to part com
pany with the woman for valuable
consideration
10 hp6n set
Hing day and Nfsto Hiro was to hand
over 500. but he did not materialize
Thursday night he retired to sleep in
his cottage back of the store AT one
a. IN. he was awakened by two Jap
auese knocking on his door. He was
taken by them to Funakoshi's hotel
where he was confronted by 10 Jap
anese, most of them thugs and gam
blers.
Here he was surrounded and de-
mand made upon him for $1,000, whlcn
he steadfast1y refused to pay. F1nally
the men assaulted him and he was
taken to a room and locked H. AT
a. m. Hata's brother began search,
which ended at F'unakoshi's. Here
he was told that Motto Hiro mad
been found in a room with woman
and damages had been demanded, ana
thai Moto HirO had been. locked IN the
room and given time-to consider
Hata's brother was allowed to see Motto
Hiro. and found the latter weak from
punishment and unable to do much
talking. He complained of being hum
CRY and said they would not let MN
have anything TO eat.
Japanese carpenters at once decided
to raise the money to pay the ransom.
By night time they had secured S9Oo
and when one of the men waited on
Funakoshi it was discovered that Moto
Elro was dead.
when the police reached the room
Motto Hiro was found with two stab
wounds in the neck, and lying under
his arm was the knife with which the
deed was done On the floor two jap
anese swords were lying. To the po-
lice it was said by some men in the
Mace 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 %
Monday q demand was IIduS hPO-i -
sheriff and the matter was argued IN
the District Court. 1t was not finish
ed by ; D. M. and an adjournment was
taken until Wednesday
Among the japanese residents there
is no desire shown to give out TO the
public more than vague information,
they admit that they are in dread oI
the men and that trouble viii come 10
them in the event of the prisoners be-
ing released. They say that other muir
ders win 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 me
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
/ 80 D. m. set for the argument-Hlo
Herald
n