Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-09

To the people of Washington Territory:
Whereas, tits represented to me by the
mayor of Seattle as follows:
Hon. W. c. Squire, Sir:
The Chinese residents of the citv of Seat
tie are being unlawfully removed from this
city BY mob unlawfully gathered together
The authority Of the city is not sufficient rc
keep the peace and preserve order. appeal
to you for aid and and assistance.
HENRY L. YEsLER, Mayor
Therefore, l, Watson C. Squires, COVER.
nor of Washington Territory, do hereby pub
lish this, my proclamation, warning ali per-
sons to desist from breach of peace and tha,
peacsbly disposed persons shall retire to their
homes except such persons as are disposed 10
assist the sheriff and duly constituted men in
maintaining law and order, and l request all
persons who are disposed TO assist in main
tanning order to enroll themselves under the
sheriff Immediately for that purpose. Fur
thermore, order the militia of this city to
Immediately, under the city authorities, place
themselves under arms and that the COM
manding officers of such companies report
forthwith to the sheriff of King county for
the purpose of rendering him military assis-
tsnce, If need be, IN maintaining law
WATSON c. SQUIRE, Gov.
This proclamation was read to the crowd
and was received with howl of defiance 1t
had absolutely no pscifying effect. An at
tempt was then made to ring the fire bells but
they were soon silenced. Two local compa-
MES OF militia and three companies of Home
Guards organized at the time the United
States troops were withdrawn. however, re-
sponded as quickly as possible, but by the
time they were ready for action there seemed
to be nothing for them to do.
About four hundred Cinnamon were hud-
died together IN warehouse on the dock and
an immense crowd prevented them from re-
turning home. The majority of them show ed
no inclination to remain where they WERE
They were thoroughly cowed, and eager to
get away from Seattle. The officers of the
steamers, however, refused to receive China
men without tickets. A collection WAS taken
and enough subscribed TO pay the passage of
about one hundred. These were received on
board, each one of them expressing a desire
to 60. The steamer should have sailed at
P. NJ. but was delayed IN the hope that ar
rangements would be made for the passage of
the remaining Cinnamon, who were huddled
on the dock, unable to return to their homes
and perfectly willing to go. About five
o'clock the militia marched down to China
town and took possession. 1t was deserted
lowed to remain temporarily. At 6 p. NJ. a
writ of habeas corpus was issued. charging
that the Chinese were illegally restrained of
liberty on board the steamer. The writ was
made returnable at ten in the evening.
In the meantime the steamer was enjoined
from the railway. The situation at this
hour, (9 p. NJ is uncertain. A dismal rain
is f'lling, and the mob has largely dispersed
The Cinnamon who are not on board the
steamer are huddled together on the dock
Two companies of militia and 10 Home
Guards are patrolling the street, The au-
thorities are determined that no Chinsmen
shall leave unwillingly. Every effort will be
made to avoid bloodshed. The utmost de-
termination is expressed on this point hv the
authorities.
1t i, believed by many that the trouble
originated in Tacoma as many prominent
agitators from that place, as well as reporters
for both Tacoma papers, were here Sunday.
Mayor Welsbach of Tacoma is also here, and
it is freely asserted that he engineered the
movement.
Advices from Vancouver say that Gen.
Gibbon has answered Gov. Squire, that he
could not send troops to Seattle without di-
rection. from the President and they have
not yet been received. The report that the
Knights of Labor headed the mob to expel
the Chinese seems to have no foundation.
While there were members OF the organiza-
ton in the mob there is no evidence, what
ever, that the Knights as an organization
were connected with the movement.
SEATTLE, w. T., Feb. 8.
At an early hour this forenoon the militia
and Home Guards marched to Ocean Dock
where the Cinnamon were confined, and took
charge. Warrants had previously been is
sued for the arrest of prominent agitators,
and they were served at once, but were at
once bailed out. All the Chinamen on board
the steamer were marched to the court house
bv the militia. They were informed that
they were at perfect liberty to go or stay as
they chose, but the majority chose to leave
Up to this time there had been no bloodshed
At noon, however, an attack was made or
the militia by a few hot-beads. The militia
fired volley, killing one man and woundinl
three others. The militia formed in a hol
low square and held the mob at bav for fully
an hour. The crowd then slowly melted
away.
Intense excitement prevails and there il
danger of further trouble. Business gen
orally is suspended. The Queen of the Pa
cifc sailed at one o'clock with 1876 Chinamel
on board. large number of governmen
troops have been ordered here.