The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1886-02-13
WAR ON THE CHINESE.
An Effort Made to Drive Them Out of
Seattle. il which Five Members of the
Mob Were Shot by Home Guards.

| MOD w ere SllOC by home GUARDS.
On Sunday last an attempt was made to
forcibly compel the Chioese, over three
hundred in number, to leave Seattle, w.
T. They were marched to the steamer
Queen of the Pacific, which plies regu-
larly between San Francisco and Puget
Sound, and an effort was at first made to
force the Cinnamon aboard without paying
their fare. The captain, however, station
ed men with hose prepared to throw boil
ing water into the mob in case they per-
sisted IN their attempts to board the vessel,
which had the effect of keeping them
back. The city authorities Immediately
took steps to assert the dignity of the law
and by o'clock Monday morning CON-
pany of deputy sherlffs marched to Ocean
Dock, where the Cinnamon were under
guard of the anti Chinese committee, and
made prisoners of the committeeman who
were placed In Jail only to he bailed out
as soon as the proper papers could be pre-
pared. The sheriff was ordered to produce
the Cinnamon in court and at the head of
the Seattle Rifles, a local MALTA organiza-
ton, Company d National Guards Of Wash
,ngton and about 100 Home Guards,
marched to the dock. The Cinnamon
were taken from the steamer and dock
and escorted to the court house, where
they were addressed by Judge Green, who
told them they would be protected if the
authorities were able to do it, If they
wanted to go they could go, but if they
wished to stay they could stay Each
Chlnaman was then called by name and
asked whether he wished to go or stay.
A large majority of them signified will
llngncss to go, while less than 100 desired
to remain. The former were accordingly
marched back to the dock and the others
taken to Chinatown. SO far there had
been no violence, but the streets were con-
stantly growing more and more crowded.
The work of leading the Cinnamon on the
Queen was then commenced and went on
vigorously. At II 80 Captain Alexander
announced that the vessel would receive
no more. Fully 100 who wished to 90
and whose passage had been paid were
thus left on the dock. After consultation
it was decided that they should wait until
the sailing of the next steamer. The
Queen accordingly swung out from the
dock, taking 1875 Chinese. Those who
remained then shouldered their blankets
and started to return to Cl,inato-... a.dor
escort of the Home Guards. At the cor
ner of Main and Commercial streets an
immense crowd had congregated. AS the
procession approached yells and boots
were heard on all sides. Finally few in
the crowd made rush for the Cinnamon,
attempting to break through the line of
Home Guards. There was general i'm
preston that the Home Guards would not
fire and the crowd had little fear of them,
At last the order was given, and the ques-
ton as to whether the guards would fire
was solved. All at once IL voIley rang out
and five men fell. The crowd recoiled
several PAGES horror struck at once. The
Seattle rifles, who were just leaving the
dock came up on the double quick and
formed line to support the Home Guards.
In another minute Company D came from
the court house on dead run and fell in
to support their comrades. The scene for
a time was remarkable. The troops form
ed hollow square, facing up and down
Commercial and Main streets. The China
men in their midst had thrown their blan-
ket rolls on the ground at the first fire and
we're crouching behind them Outside
the square the tremendous crowd swayed
to and fro, with cries Of rage and defiance,
while the wounded men were placed in
wagons and hauled away. For fully an
hour the squad stood facing the crowd in
this manner. Not soldier flinchcd. but
the men kept their places, apparently as
cool as veterans. At last the crowd dis
persed sufficiently to allow the Cinnamon
to continue on their way to Chinatown.
From this on the excitement and bitter
ness increased, the Chinese question was
lost sight of, and denunciation of the
Home Guards were heard on all sides.
prominent citizens belonging to the organ
ization being threatened with hanging by
the mob. Awarrant was sworn out in the
police court, charging five of the Home
Guards with intent to kill. The constable
attempted to serve the warrant but Judge
Greene declared the guards were officers
of his court and that he would not have
them molested. Just before the warrants
were served, however, Governor Squires
had determined to take vigorous action.
1t was plain that the most extreme meas
ures were necessary and he placed the city
under military control.
At Olympia, w. T., Tuesday morning,
an attempt was also made to drive out the
Chinese. An alarm was quickly sounded
by ringing the fire bells, but before the