The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-06
THE ROCK SPRINGS RIOT.
The Chinese Fired Their Quarters to Prevent
Civilized Whites Stealing Their Money.

CHEYENNE, WY. T., Oct 5-A special to the
Sun from Green River says: "Some testimony
of startling character was given to the grand
jury, to-day, calculated to throw new light on
the transactions at Rock Springs during the riot
there Rev. Timothy Thirlway, a Congrega
tional minister, who resided at Rock Springs
with his family during the riot, made sworn
statement showing that the Chinese set fire to
their own houses in order to prevent the white
men from robbing them of their money, which
IS buried in the ground under their dwellings
subsequent events have shown that this was
the case, for, as shown, when the Cinnamon re-
turned to Rock Springs they commenced ex-
eavating under the ruins, and in instance
over Sc 900 was found"
Timothy Thirloway, being duly sworn, made
the following statement II am minister of
the gospel, and was residing at Rock Springs on
the I'd of September last, which day the riot
occurred, and was in the vicinity of Chinatown.
On that day heard there was a large number of
men moving round toward the north end Of
Chinatown with guns, clubs and other weapons.
stepped out of my house with my
wife, and saw the first two houses
that were set fire. While we
i a
white men on the north side of Chinatown and
at the same time four Cinnamon came out of
house only short distance from u.s. They
were some two hundred yards from the white
men. The four Cinnamon had not moved more
than twenty yards from the house with their
bundles when some one called them back, and
they remained in the house two or three minutes
before coming out again. La the meantime
volley was heard on the north
side of Chinatown, and almost instantly the
bod Sc 1,,,11 I'D
hardly left when we saw the building was on
fire. No white men were to be seen near the
house, and twas apparent the house was fired
by the Cinnamon themselves. My daughter,
VINO talked with some of the Cinnamon after
wards, can tell you more about that and the OBJ
ject of the Cinnamon in setting fire to their own
houses The two houses that were first burned
belonged to the railroad company, and were known
as Nos. 10 and 16. Among the Cinnamon that
came out of No. 16, the first set on fire. l recog-
nezed All Quong."
The statement of Miss Elenor Thirlowav was
as follows: II came to Rock Springs last De-
cember, and have given instructions to the Chi
nese at my fathers house in the evening l
think we had the confidence of the Chinese, who
regarded us as their friends Just as soon as
they returned, some of them came to see us, and
told US about their troubles. All Quong, who
lived in the cellar of gang-house No. 16
which was the first house set on fire,
told me that China boy was scared afraid
American boy would get things and so China
boy set fire to the house Lew All Sin, nephew
of All Say, the Chinese interpreter, also told me
the same facts about setting fire the houses
OF other Chinamen-that they were afraid the
white men would find their money, and for that
reason the Chinese set fire to their houses All
Quong said 'China boy no likee American boy;
catch him things, and China boy set fire him
house,"
Mrs. Thirloway testified substantially as her
husband.