(The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, May 29, 1893)
MAUI, May 27—Waiopai, situated on the south-eastern side of the island, between Kahikinui and Kaupo, is famous for the rich qualities of its grasses, and was purchased not long ago by the Haleakala Ranch Co. for the purpose of fattening cattle intended for the market.
James Lua, a Hawaiian, most expert in riding and in all the other arts of the vaquero, has been in charge of the place for some time, and has given complete satisfaction to his employers.
Early on Monday morning, the 22d inst., James started up the mountain on a well-known cattle mule, intending to drive the horses to water; he had his lasso hung on the pommel and was well equipped for any emergency. What happened afterward to Lua must be left to conjecture, further than, after several hours had elapsed, the wife of the unfortunate man beheld the mule trotting down the mountain side with no one in the saddle. On looking more closely she discerned the body of her husband dragging several feet behind.
The animal voluntarily stopped after reaching the dwelling, and upon examination James Lua was found to be dead, his head being badly bruised, though none of his limbs were broken.
It is presumed that the mule must have reared and fallen backwards, and in the scramble that ensued Lua caught his foot in one of the loops of the lasso coiled on the pommel, unrolled it somewhat, and before he could extricate himself or remount the obstinate brute was up and away, dragging the vaquero to his death, four miles down the mountain side.