Oregon Nisei, Soldier's Dad, Thought Slain

LA GRANDE, Or., Oct. 13. -- (UP) -- N. Kurisu, 61 years old, loyal American of Japanese ancestry, today was believed to have been murdered, Jesse Breshears, sheriff of Union County, said.

Kurisu, father of two boys in the Army, left the Mount Emily lumber camp, where he was employed, October 5 for Weiser, Idaho, and has not been seen since. His automobile, 34 war bonds, wallet and watch have turned up in the possession of Floyd Pousson, 18 years old, of Dalhart, Tex.

Pousson told officers that the car, bonds, wallet and watch had been given to him by a sailor in Salt Lake City. Later, he said he had left La Grande with Kurishu, but had left the section hand in Ontario, where there were other Japanese.

Breshears said he believes the Japanese-American's body is in the Snake River or on the desert. Pousson is being held on an auto-theft charge.