Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 157, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1912 — Bully of Pacific Is Killed [ARTICLE]

Bully of Pacific Is Killed

Japanese Cook Stew Sea Captain Noted for Brutality After He Is Abused, by His Master. ■'ip'- l « J; ' San Francisco. —Tales of lawless ways on ships in the Pacific told by the fiction writers are well borne out by the story that lies behind the detention here on a charge of murder of S. Okulu, a Japanese, who was cook on the schooner Americana. He slew Carl Benson, the captain, on a voyage from Australia. Members of the crew testified that he was justified, and prominent Japanese here will see that he is ably defended.. Captain Benson, a native of Sweden,, forty-three years old, had a reputation throughout the Pacific of being a bully. Big and strong and with a quick temper, he frequently came to blows with his men, and in the recolreturned’ from a voyage without having to face charges of brutality. Several times he has come into this port with some of his men in irons, and once-both his first and second mates were so confined. When he left Puget sound on his last voyage to Australia Okulu shipped as cook, and the men who were on the vessel say that the little Japanese wis efficient in his galley and courteous and peaceful hi his dealings with others. Captain Benson, however, continually baited him and cast aspirations on the Japanese, and, angered by his non-resistence, physically tlltreated him. When Newcastle was reached all but two of the crew left the ship, saying they could not stand

the ill treatment they had received, and Okulu also tried to quit, but was restrained by Captain Benson. On the return journey, according to the seamen, Okulu was subjected daily to taunts and violence. There was no witness to the shooting, but the cook says the captain entered his galley and accused him of waste and dishonesty. His denial was followed by revilings and then by a blow that felled him. He arose and was knocked down again. Fearing for his life, he jumped up, ran to his bunk, took out a pistol and fired five Bhots at the captain. The bully ran after the first shot and died on the main deck. It was five days before the officers left in charge put Okulu in confinement by chaining him to a table in the dining room, and then he was well treated by all.