Rokuichi “Roy” Yoshioka (d. 1917)
Roy Yoshioka came into the Yukon in 1903. He owned a fox farm in West Dawson and was well-known in town. In June 1917, Yoshioka reported the murder of his wife, Hisha [Mary Antonia], saying he had found her body on his property. Hisa was four months pregnant. She had a bullet wound that went from the front right through her body. Her clothes were pulled up over her waist and one shoe was on the trail back to the Yoshiokas’ cabin. Yoshioka reported that Percy James, who had been working at the farm, was missing along with three dogs, their dog packs and Yoshioka’s rifle and he insisted that James had murdered his wife. When the Royal North-West Mounted Police discovered that Yoshioka was in financial difficulties and he had insurance policies on both he and his wife, Superintendent Knight had Yoshioka arrested. A search of the property revealed a nine-foot pit with the Percy James’ buried body along with the missing dogs and a rifle. James had been shot in the back. Yoshioka was only tried for his wife’s murder as it was thought that the evidence covered both crimes. The trial lasted a week in August and Yoshioka was sentenced to hang. The sentence was carried out on November 23, 1917.1)
Percy James was in his early 20s when he died. He was very-well respected by the community. James' brother was Julius, a minister in Mayo. Yosioka died protesting his innocence.2)