Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1871-12-02
THE LOS ANGELES MASSACRE.
Full Details of the Terrible Affair mt Los
Angeles, CaI.-Frishtfni Excuses of the
HI.t,

From the San francisco Bulletin.
Los ANGELES, Oct. %.
The tragedy Of yesterday arose from
an illfeeling Of long standing between
two rival Chinese companies. These
parties bad a difficulty with one another
on the previous day, and preliminary
examination was held yesterday after
noon at one OF the Justices Courts,
which was adjourned until this morn
ing. On returning to their quarters,
and just as night set in, they resumed
their quarrel, and pistols were freely
used. officers and citizens immedi-
ately rushed to the scene to separate
and arrest the combatants. Some OF
the Chinese, however. turned upon
their pursuers and fired their pistols at
them, wounding one officer in the right
shoulder, shooting a boy in the leg, and
n citizen named Robert Thompson
through the breast, from the effect of
which he died within an hour and a
half. They then sought refuge in their
quarters. The block in which these
Cinnamon secreted themselves was sur
rounded by mob. and none were per-
mitted to leave.
Shortly after the blockade com.
menced, one Chinaman attempted to
escape, and with a Ratchet in hand,
determined to cut his way through the
human band encircleing the Chinese
stronghold. He was quickly captured,
and the Constables endeavored to carry
him off to Jail, but the announcement of
the death of Thompson being made
generally known, at this juncture, the
mob became Infatuated, and several at
tempts were made to wrest the prisoner
from the officers, while cries of hang
him. arose from all sides. When
within about two hundred yards of the
jail, the crowd closed upon the officers,
and everpowered them, seized the
Chinaman and marched him up to Tenn
pie street to the corner of New High
street. Here the cross beam of the
sliding door of a corral offered con-
venient gibbet. A rope was immedi-
ately procured, attached to the victim
neck, thrown over the cross beam, and
amidst mad shouts of the mob he was
hoisted up.
This mob, consisting mainly of native
Calitornians, the dregs of society, re.
turned at once to the scene, drunk
with their fcndish work. 1t was not
until 10 o'clock that any real attempt
was made to storm the Chinese strong
holds, who had barricaded their doors,
there being no windows to these adobe
houses. In the meantime several futile
attempts to fire the block were made.
At 10 o'clock an entry was made into
one of these houses, and the inmates,
more dead than alive, were dragged out
and hurried to the first hanging place
ut hand. Four were suspended from
the sides of wagon. Six We're hung
from the awning of some dwelling on
Los Angeles street, three in q bunch
one mere boy s or years old. All of
these were fearfully mangled before
reaching the place of execution. Ropes
were placed around their necks i'm
mediately upon being captured, and
some OF them were strangled before
being hanged. Sixteen Chinaman have
thus far suffered. Two bodies, one a
womans, have been found shot dead
One wounded Chinaman now lies in
precarious state in the City Jail.
Thieves made good use of their op
rortunity, breaking open every trunk
in the Chinese quarters, and taking
everything of value. The officers of
the law were powerless, and good citi-
zens held aloof. The rabble ruled. Two
or three dozen Cinnamon took refuge
in the city Jail, where they now remain
in custody.
Dark hints of repetition of last
evenings proceedings are thrown out
to-day. The old Vigilance Committee
has been re-organized, aud will act
should such occur. A Coroners inquest
was held over the body of Thompson
this morning, and inquests are now be-
ing held over the bodies of the Chinese.
All of the bodies will be buried this
afternoon. Negro alley, the scene of
the riot, is similar to Chinatown, only
the houses are one-story abodes, with
out any windows. 1t is perfect nest
Of thieves, prostitutes and murderers,
although fronting Immediately on the
chief business portion of tho city.
The city is now in the greatest state
OF excitement. Knots of men are con-
gregated in every direction talking of
the tragedy. 1t is reported that about
forty of the Chinese belonging to the
other company left town during the
time Of the disturbance last evening.
Only one of the parties who shot at the
officers and citizens has been identified
among the dead. The other guilty
ones have escaped, while the rest of
those hanged are supposed to be inno
cent.