The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-08
A Mob Takes Possession of the Chinese Quar-
ter, and Compels the Mongolians to Pack
Their Traps and Take Their Departure.
Governor Squire Warns the Rioters to
Disperse, and Calls for Troops.
One Hundred Cinnamon Hustled on Board a
Steamer. and Three Hundred Left Under
Protection of the Local Military.


out anti Chinese agitation has reached the cul-
minating point so far as Seattle is concerned. 1t
was thought by many, when the United States
troops were Withdrawn from here, that
the agitation was dead, and as weeks
| went by without the commission of any
overt act, this opinion was strengthened
AS events show, however, the feeling was not
even dormant, and the agitators have been
qietly laying plans all the while. An effort was
made to put these plans into execution to-day,
though with what success cannot be said An
| anti Chinese meeting was held yesterday after
noon, at which a committee was ap-
| pointed for the ostensible purpose of
visiting Chinatown and ascertaining whether
the city sanitary regulations were properly
| observed This committee commenced its work
at o'clock this morning, headed by acting Chief
| of Police Murphy and accompanied by an
| enormous crowd, which had apparently come
| together by a previous understanding. 1t pro-
ceeded to Chinatown. The mode of procedure
was simple. The committee would approach q
house and knock at the door. When the occu-
pants appeared they were asked questions con-
corning the observance of the cubic air and
other city ordinances. While the conversation
was in progress the crowd would enter the house
which would appear at that iuncture. It was
useless for the Cinnamon to resist. and they gen.
orally acquiesced with as good grace as possible.
When their movable goods were loaded on the
wagon they were also placed on board and
driven to the ocean dock, where the Queen Of
the Pacific was lying, ready to sail for San Fran
cisco.
Not the slightest warning Of this movement
had been given. and the authorities were totally
unprepared for it. The police force generally
sided with the crowd, and made no effort to stop
the work of removal Sheriff McGraw was soon
on the scene and commanded the mob to dis
perse. but they paid no attention to him. When
he would collect few citizens and attempt to in
tsrfere the crowd would cease operations at that
point. but carry on the work without CESSATION in
another quarter. This continued for several
hours. Sheriff McGraw, Judge Green and
Mayor vester made such efforts as they could
on behalf of the Law, but without avail. About
10 O'clock Governor Squire. who is in the city,
issued the following proclamation:
ITO the people of Washington Territory:
"Whereas, it is represented to me by the city
of Seattle as follows:
| "Hon. W. O. Squire:
"Sir-The Chinese residents Of this city are being
unlawfully removed from this city by mob unlaw-
fully gathered together. The authority of the city is
not sufficient to keep peace or preserve order
HENRY l.. VEsTER Mayor.
'.Now, therefore, /. Watson G. Squire, Gov
ernor of Washington Territory, do hereby pub
| lish this my proclamation, warning all persons
to desist from breach Of the peace, and that
peaceably disposed persons shall retire to
disposed to assist the sheriff and the
duly constituted authorities in maintaining law
and order and request all persons who are dis
posed to assist in maintaining order to enroll
themselves under the sheriff Immediately for
that purpose. Furthermore, order the military
of this city to Immediately place themselves un-
der arms, and that the commanding officers Of
such companies report forthwith to the sheriff
for the purpose of rendering him military assist
ance, if needed, in maintaining the law.
WATSON G. SQUIRE"
with howl of defiance. 1t had absolutely no
pacifying effect An attempt was then made to
ring the fire bells, but they were soon senced.
Two local companies Of militia and three COM
panies Of homo guards, organized at
the time the United States troops
were withdrawn, however, responded as
quickly as possible, but by the time they were
ready for action, there seemed nothing for them
to do. About 400 Cinnamon were huddled
together in the warehouse, on the Ocean dock.
and an immense crowd prevented them from
returning to their homes. Indeed, the majority
of them showed much inclination to remain,
as they were thoroughly cowed and eager TO
get away. The officers of the steamship,
however, refused to receive the Cinnamon
without tickets. They prepared hot-water hose,
and took every precaution to defend the vessel
from any attempt to force the Cinnamon on
board. In this dilemma collection was started,
money was subscribed to pay the passage for
about one hundred men. The steamer should
have sailed at p NJ, but was detained in hopes
that some arrangement would be made
for the passage Of the remaining China
men, who were huddled on the dock,
unable to return to their homes and perfectly
willing to 60 out About r. Nj. the militia
marched down to Chinatown and took possession.
1t was thoroughly deserted, except by few mer::
chants, who had been allowed to remain tempo
rarily. At p. NJ. a writ of habeas corpus was
issued charging that the Cinnamon were illegally
restrained on board the Ocean Queen. The
writ is made returnable at 10 o'clock this eve-
ming. In the meantime the steamer was en-
Joined from sailing
The situation at this hour 70 P. NJ is uncer-
tain. The Cinnamon who are not on board the
steamer are huddled together on the Ocean
dock Two companies of militia are patrolling
the streets. The Oregon Improvement Com
pany also has eighty men guarding its
docks and warehouses The authorities are
determined that no Cinnamon shall leave
unwillingly. Every effort will be made to avoid
blocdshed, but the utmost determination is ex-
pressed on this point Governor Squire. in ad-