Evening journal., 1904-12-07
Young Man Taken to
Hawaii for Theft of a
Hat Is Ex-Queen Lis
Brother
He Kept His Identity a
Secret Until Nearing
His Pacific Island
Home

Edwin Rose. the young Hawaiian,
who was charged in the Federal Courts
of this State before Judge Bradford
with the larceny Of a Panama hat
valued at 81 from the post Office Of
Hilo. Hawaii. and was sent to the
Southern Islands for trial, is of royal
blood being the brother of the de-
posed Queen Lilokuliana or queen
= Liz as she is known in this country
The story of Rose is an interesting
one and il true clears him Of any in
tent to rob the government by which
he was employed. Several years ago
when a young man, he is scarcely past
twenty-one, he entered the service of
the Hawaiian Government as a clerk
in the Hilo post Office and served
faithfully and vel Wishing to be-
come more familiar with the world than
his surroundings would permit he de-
termined to learn various languages
in order that he might become an in
terpreter for his government and TO
that end studied hard to acquire the
necessary knowledge.
Becoming proficient in this line
young Rose determined to travel
aboard ship for a year in order that
he might become familiar with the
manner and customs of the outside
world and accordingly resigned his po-
sition with the government and took
passage on a vessel bound to this
country.
Some weeks prior to his departure,
and while in the service Of the post
Office authorities. a dilapidated Pana-
ma hat found it's way to the post office
for transmission through the mails.
1t was valued at 81. but such was its
e6nmtion that the authorities refused
10 handle it and became responsible for
its delivery. Accordingly the govern
ment authorities were notified by the
postal authorities and asked what
10 do with the hat. For days no
reply was received and the battered
up Panama was shifted from one place
10 another in the post Office awaiting
its ultimate resting place. 1t had de-
preciated in value until it was worth
50.
Took Hat With Him.
When the time came for Roses de-
parture he took the old Panama along
with him thinking it of no use to
any one. That he did not believe he
was stealing is evinced apparently by
the fact that Rose made no attempt
to make way with the hat during his
voyage to this country. But the laws
of the Hawaiian Government are
stringent, the hat was missed. Rose
was gone, the vessel he sailed on and
Its destination known, and his ultimate
arrest in this country with the hat in
his possession followed.
The youthful culprit upon being ar
raigned before Judge Bradford denied
any intent to steal but was consigned
to be deported to his native home by
Judge Bradford, but never disclosed his
relationship to Queen Lii"
Z. S. Marshal Finn was instructed
70 take the young man back to his
birthplace and decided to take his wife
and son with him on the voyage. They
sailed on August 81 last. The trip was
a pleasant and agreeable one and as
the ship neared the shores of the
Hawaiian Islands Rose told who hewas
He, the alleged thief, was the brother
of the former Queen of the Hawaiian
Islands, who was dined and feted
by the highest government authori-
ties during her visit to the Columbian
Exposition in Chicago in 1898 and who
was the honered guest of Carter Har-
rison at that time Mayor Of Of Chi
cago.
The young mans story seemed in.
credible to Marshal Finn and his FAM
fly, but upon their arrival at Honolulu
where captors and captive were me
upon the arrival of the ship by rela'
tives of the young man all doubts were
dispelled. After a short stop in Homo
lulu the entire party proceeded to Hilo
Rose was tried, convicted and sent t
Jail for one year. Queen Lii" was alb
sent in another territory at the tim
of her brothers arrival and knew
nothing of his adventure.
Scarce had he been imprisoned thai
movement was instituted for hi
release. Whether it has been sue
cessful has not been learned by Mar
shall Finn.