The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-08
FIRST HEROIC DEATH.
IL Was Cause of Genuine Pride to
All The Japanese.
(Tokio Cor. Washington Star ,

(Tokio Cor. Washington Star)
| Japan is smiling contentedlv over
| the death of her Ensign Bagley 1t is
Japan's way of mourning over Sub
| lieutenant kajimura Fumios heroic
end before Fort Arthur--her first
noted son to fall in battle with the
| Russians. Even the young mans faith
er, when the news of the wars first
| heroic death" was carried to him as
he lay ON his sick bed. Showed Joy
| His only concern was to send his elder
son, a lieutenant in the army. to
! Saseho, to secure an application OF
the announcement that his brothe!
had died augustly for the Emperor.
Lieutenant Fumios death was
enough to bring the smile OF SatiSfac-
tion to the iias of a heroic nation. The
son of a samurai, he died as a
samurai should, striving to fight his
countryS enemy even us he lay NOR
tally wounded.
Lieutenant Fumo was killed during
the first attack on the Russion strong
hold. Throughout the battle he had
charge of an cight-inCh gun on the
battle ship Katsuse. Toward the
close Of the one-Sided contest he
trained his gun on the Bayan, and a
great column of black smoke. as
though the Russian were OH fire.
shortly following his shot. showed
that his aim had worked havoc among
the enemy He was preparing for
another shot. when a shell-presum-
ably from a fort-struck him in the
small of the back, passed through his
body, fell on the deck i'm front of
him. and exploded, shoWering the
entire gun grew with n rain of steel.
While the air was still filled with
bits of the shell Lieutenant Sonoda,
whose post was close by. rushed up
and caught Fumio as he was falling
to the deck. The shell had all but
cut its victim in two. but he was still
conscious, and as Lieutenant Sonoda
and a member of the crew started to
carry him toward the hospital he pro-
tested
This devil of a Russian animal"
he said Don't take my shoes off:
want to fight again.
Still protesting and struggling
weakly with his comrades, he was
taker to the hospital The surgeons
bent over him.
\ Hero's Death.
Don't" he ordered. Look after
the others. My wound is Slight. |
have to go back to my post-don't
take off my shoes
And With It protest on his lips at
being kept from his post. he died
Both Ensign Bagley's heroic death
and his family prominence made his
name known throughout America in
the Spanish-American war. 1t is the
same with Lieut.. Fumio.
He was the son OF Hiroto, one Of
the feudal knights (samuraD of Ku-
rune, a northwestern city. For hum
dreds of years members OF the family
served many feUdal lords in battle,
and many were noted for their gun
merry. Young Fumio was evidently a
reincarpation of one of his fighting
ancestors, for from childhood he was
an expert shot first with the shot
gun, and later. when he entered the
navy. with the big guns. All Japan
is being told of the fact by the news
papers. They also naiYeIy declare
that the young man was not good
in school,; but they wipe out this
little stain by adding that he had a
good record in the naval school"
All Japan also knows by this time
the conversation that took place be-
tween father and son when they babe
each other goodbye just before the
Katsuse sailed away for battle.
'As | have told you always, my
son, do not get excited when doing
great tasks, but work with a, cool
head
II thank you, father; don't worry
about me. ] will always remember
your words. This time / will come
nome with the Kinshi Kuncho GA
pans highest medal for bravery, COR
responding to the Victoria Cross OF
EnglanO, or I'll send you my hair"
According 20 an ancient mortuary
custom of the country, the boys hair
has been shaved off and sent to his
father, and ere now he has received
the token--undoubtedl with q smile
on his lips.