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Honolulu County
Crime News Stories
Two murderers were hung on the gate of the fort at Honolulu, August 14. [February 20, 1847, Daily Sentinel and Gazette, Milwaukee Wisconsin - Submitted by S. Williams]
SANDWICH ISLANDS
Advices have been received at San Francisco from the Sandwich Islands to Oct. 25th.
A revolt took place among the prisoners at Honolulu on the 22d of October. The prisoners after making their escape broke into a magazine and got possession of arms and ammunition and loaded the large guns to their muzzles, and pointed them upon the town. The promptness and energy of the Marshals and Sheriff soon quelled the revolt, and the ringleaders being placed in irons, the fears of the populace subsided. [January 6, 1852, Wisconsin Statesman, Madison Wisconsin - Submitted by S. Williams]
Judge Cooper and a native jury have been occupied during the day in trying the case of the Republic of Hawaii vs. Kaniku, accused of an assault with a deadly weapon. This is the second trial of the same case, the former conviction having been set aside and a new trial ordered by the Supreme Court.
[Evening bulletin. (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii), May 16, 1895 - sub. by K.T.]
Police Court - Jack Kane, whose sentence was suspended yesterday after having been found goilty of maintaining a common nuisance in the shape of a dog, was fined $25 and costs in the police court. [Hawaiian Gazette, Oct 18, 1895 Contributed by Kim Torp]
Ah Hee, the Chinese boy who failed to mind both his mother and teacher, was sentenced to two years in the reform school. [Hawaiian Gazette, Oct 18, 1895 Contributed by Kim Torp]
Sang Yon was fined $5 and costs for selling fish outside the Limits of the market. When he wes caught the fish which he had in his basket was found to be rotten. [Hawaiian Gazette, Oct 18, 1895 Contributed by Kim Torp]
Keawe, the native who was arrested the other day for maintaining a lottery game was fined $150 and costs for breaking the law. [Hawaiian Gazette, Oct 18, 1895 Contributed by Kim Torp]
JOHNSON, Henry proprietor of the Palace candy and book store on Hotel street, was arrested shortly after 1 o'clock yesterday by Captain Scott, Marshal Hitchcock and Captain Kamae being present. The crime charged against Johnson is that of having committed forgery at Muscatine, Iowa. Sheriff Wyllie of that place arrived by the Australia with extradition papers for the arrest of Johnson on the charge named, which was executed without delay. It was believed the accused would make strenuous resistance against arrest, owing to the supposed magnitude of the crime, but such was not the case. When questioned at police headquarters Johnson admitted he was the party wanted, and would return to the States without contesting the case. From a reliable source it was learned that Johnson was for several years, and up to about a year and a half ago, treasurer of Muscatine County, Iowa, being held in high esteem as a public servant. In his official position Johnson was custodian of immense sums of money. At one time he saw an opportunity to make a fortune by investment of considerable funds. With the supposed consent of one of his bondsmen the treasurer used some $80,000 of money belonging to the county, hoping, as many good men had before and since, to realize profitably thereby and make full restitution. The venture failed and with it was lost the good name of both official and bondsman. Seeing no other alternative, Johnson fled west into Kansas, thence to California and Hawaii. He is said to have carried away none of the money taken from Muscatine County, and landed at San Francisco with but fifty cents in his pocket. Through the sale of his household effects by Mrs. Johnson, $700 being realized, the supposed defaulter was able to reach Honolulu on $200 forwarded by his faithful wife. The remainder is easily told. After being in the islands but a short time, Johnson secured a position on an afternoon paper as collector and solicitor. Strict attention to business soon brought its reward, and the more lucrative work of bookkeeping in the newspaper office was secured. In the meantime Johnson had associated himself in the stationery business as partner of a blind man named Scharf, afterward succeeding to the sole ownership and purchasing later the Palace candy store, both being now conducted by him. Mrs. Johnson arrived here a few months ago and, from the exemplary manner in which her husband had conducted himself since coming to Honolulu, was well received in social and religious circles. The supposed defaulter was known here as Henry Johnson, having dropped William from the name he bore while residing in Iowa. He rendered active support to the Government during the late insurrection as a member of the Citizens Guard, besides taking a prominent part in religious work. Johnson is said to have embezzled over $30,000. He claims the amount to be much less, and that his bondsmen have liquidated the shortage. Political reasons are assigned as the cause for his arrest. A party from Iowa was recently in Honolulu and conversed with Johnson, who, he claims, betrayed his whereabouts for a slight reward. Sheriff Wyllie and his prisoner will leave by the Australia Monday. Mrs. Johnson and son will remain and, assisted by C. H. Ramsey, carry on the business acquired by the husband and father. The arrest was the talk of the town yesterday and created more comment than has been heard in Honolulu for some time.
(Contributed by Karen Seeman - Hawaiian Gazette Honolulu, HI June 25, 1895)
Still Burgling
On Tuesday Night the Local Cracksmen Attempted Two Jobs
Robberies continue to be reported to the police and the arrest of the offenders seems to be as far off as ever. About midnight on Tuesday an attempt was made to burglarize George Paris' place near Thomas square. Mr. Paris heard a noise, caused by the clicking of a door latch, and proceeded to investigate. He next heard the sound of footsteps retreating down the pathway leading to the house. The burglar had evidently been scared by Mr. Paris' movements, and came to the conclusion that it was time to be going.
On the same evening someone broke into the Emmeluth building on King street, but got nothing. Entrance was effected through the back window of the office which opens out on Lewers and Cooke's lumber yard. [The Hawaiian Gazette", January 10, 1902 - Sub. by K.T.]
Court Cases - January 14, 1902
In Judge Little's court Kahalekoa, larceny, and Ah Jim, assault, were acquitted.
Pedro, a Jap, of Hamakua, was convicted of malicious injury.
A nolle prosequi was entered in the case of Geo. Durkee, larceny.
Indictments returned by the grand jury were also read to the prisoners. Three natives from Hamakua are charged with setting fire to logs and brush on Albert Horner's land.
Kau Kou was charged with cracking his wife's skull with a hammer. He pleaded guilty, and was sent up for five years.
Fugisaki was indicted for murder in the first degree. He threw himself on the mercy of the court and was sentenced to prison for ten years.
Jinjaria, burglar, was sentenced to prison for five years, and two Porto Ricans charged with assault were also sentenced to five years each. A big lot of minor offenders were given jail sentences.
TRANSITION PERIOD CASE
Ah Quong, a Chinese, who had been serving a life sentence for rape, entered a plea in bar. He was one of the transition prisoners.
[The Hawaiian Gazette", January 14, 1902 - Sub. by K.T.]
Thugs Attack Hawaii Woman
Honolulu, Sept. 14 -- Mrs. Thomas H. Massie, 25, wife of a naval lieutenant, was in Queens Hospital in a serious condition today, and seven suspects were under arrest as a result of an attack Saturday night... She was stopped by two men, who seized her, stifled her screams and severely beat her, fracturing her jaw. They forced her into an automobile and drove to Ala Moana road where she was attacked several times...
[--unknown newspaper, September 15, 1931]
Police Frame-Up is Charged
Pittman Says 5 Defendants are Innocent -- Scores Methods of Officers, and Asserts Department is Full of Cobwebs... Charges of criminal assault against five youths alleged to have kidnapped and outraged a 20 year old matron on the Ala Moana, Saturday night, September 12, will, in all probability, reach the hands of a jury in Judge A. E. Steadman's court late this afternoon...
[-- Honolulu Star-Bulletin, December 1, 1931]
Honor Killing in Honolulu Threatens Race War
Bayonets Rule Honolulu as Races Boil in Killing -- Woman's Avenging Kin Held Safe on Warship... National Guardsmen patrolled the streets of Honolulu tonight, and the entire island was virtually under martial law. The case... has aroused racial feeling to the boiling point. Throughout the island, nervous women were locking their doors in fear of intruders.
[-- [New York] Sunday News, January 10, 1932]
Mrs. Granville Fortescue and her daughter, the wife of Lieut. Thomas H. Massie, U. S. Navy, are two of the central figures in a murder in Honolulu. Mrs. Fortescue, who is a niece of Alexander Graham Bell, and her son-in-law, Lieut. Massie, together with Alexander Jones, an enlisted man, are held for the slaying of Joseph Kawahawai, one of five Hawaiian natives charged with a serious crime against Mrs. Massie. After the jury disagreed, Kawahawai's body was found in a car in which Mrs. Fortescue and Lieut. Massie were riding. [Unknown Date - Submitted by Foxie Hagerty]
Honolulu Battles Navy for Chance to Hang 4
The battle line was drawn today between civil and naval authorities... while civil authorities announced they would demand the death penalty for all four prisoners involved -- including Mrs. Granville Fortescue... the naval authorities announced they intended to retain custody... On one front stand the incensed naval personnel, backed by strong statements by high naval officers. Aroused at recent attacks upon white women, the navy attitude is "that under no circumstances will we stand for the violation of our women." Besetting the navy in this position are the prowling gangs from "Hell's Half-Acre," out of whose shadows came the thugs who assaulted Mrs. Massie, and who, according to naval officers, are trying "to show their equality with the white." ... The Honolulu Police Department, in particular, is charged with conniving with the gangs which prey on unprotected women...
[-- [New York] Daily News, January 11, 1932]
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