The Hawaiian gazette., 1915-02-05
John McGrath and n. 3. Lewis
Are In Arrest Suspected of Ex-
eCuting Sensational HoId-Up
Under GuiSe of Federal officers
CELESTIALS ARE ROBBED
WHEN CLOSING HOP DEAL
They Are Driven Into Custom
House As Prisoners and
Shortly Crime Develops Into
Proportions That Are AMAZING

a NEW kind Of badger game
IA hold.up at the point of q
-.~ gun and the robbery Of seven
hundred dollars in gold, the impersona-
ton of federal oficials by the robbers
and the uncovering of part Of ring
Of opium smugglers credited with hav-
ing brought thirty thousand dollars
worth of dope to Honolulu within the
past sixty days, are the revelations
which yesterday followed the arrest OF
John McGrath of Beckley street., Ka-
Iihi, former customs inspector, who
is now held by the police for invssti.
CATION, :. .,.5 son n
y POLICE PROMISE SENSATIONS
The police authorities on the case
promise a number Of sensations before
the penitentiary door closes on the
last Of the many persons involved.
In addition 70 McGrath, Henry B.
Lewis, adopted son Of z. H. Lewis, d
held by the police as q suspect.
A number OF other arrests probably
will be made today, the authorities
being in possession Of q considerable
amount Of information which they arc
at present Withholding. #
Jack scully, ertswhile proprietor Of
the Waikiki Inn, was one Of several
taken to the police station last night
for a sweatbox seance, but scully was
not placed under arrest. CO.. 'Irs
CONTRACT TO BUY OPIUM
On Wednesday night Chinaman
at Aala Park was approached by q
stranger, who entered into converse
ton with him and led the talk up TO
the matter Of opium. Tho Chinaman
showing interest, he was offered num-
Der Of tins Of stamped opium at q
price of seventy dollars a tin, q figure
considerably below the usual quotation
of the dope, especially OF the stamped
variety. The Chinaman made an en-
gagement with the stranger and hast
ened of to organize hui. He and
two other Chinamsn then met the
stranger and bargain was struck.
The Chinese were to raise $7O0 for
the purchase of ten tins, which the
stranger agreed to deliver. ~
CELEsTIALs ROBBED or $500
At an agreed upon rendezvous the
three Chinese met the opium dealer,
who had secured an automobile and
who was accompanied at this time by
two companions. The automobile has
since been identified as car "a, driven
by Henry B. Lewis. ........ a.
After a circuitous drive the car
stopped before Kalihi house, identi,
fed by the Chinese yesterday morning
as the home of John McGrath, Beck
ley street, and the Chinese we're es-
eorted inside. Here they were shown
one tin of unstamped opium.
At the sight, Of this contraband the
Chinese declined to go any further,
calling the deal off. At this one Of
the white men drew a gun, ordered
the Chinese to throw their hands up.
and kept the trio covered while an,
other white man went through their
clothes and took the $70O.
HERDED INTO CUSTOM HOUSE
The Chinese attempted to raise an
alarm, but at their first Haul inl''
they were commanded to keep quiet,
inasmuch as their captors were customs
house men. The Chinese were told that
they were under arrest for trafficling
in opium and were marched out at the
point of the gun and ordered back into
the machine.
The car was then driven about the
city, finally drawing up In front Of tho
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