Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1886-08-17

Hon. T. r. BAyARD. SECRETARY or STATE
Washin xton, ID g.

HON. Il. r. BAyAKD, oEcRETARf VI oiAiE
Washington, d G.
Sir: In compliance wiL your instruc
tions to proceed to Orc Elmo mining dis
trict and investigate In person the alleged
outrage committed against certain Chinese
subjects at that place. left Boise City, the
Capital Of Idaho, on the 7th day of July,
1883, via Lewiston, where was Joined by
James H. Hawley, U. g. District Attorney
We at once started for Oro Elmo, where we
arrived on the 18th instant
We made q thorough investigation OF
the entire transaction, and took all the EVIL
dence of all the white men and Chinese
who we're cognizant Of the facts. tSaid
affidavits accompany this report) Pierce
City Is an old mining town in the Orc
Flo mining district situated 10 the high
mountains of Idaho, and about two hun
bred miles from Murray, the county seat
Of Shoshone county. All the white men
but about twenty or thirty have left for
other places, leaving the mines mostly in
the hands of Chinese, who mine, pack In
goods, sell supplies to miners and others
and are doing very Lucrative and profit
able business.
DIN. Fraser was merchant, long a
resident Of this locality, and had lived
there with his family nearly twenty years,
respected, honored and beloved by all who
knew him. On the 10th day of Septem
Der, 1885, was murdered in his store in the
most Lrutal manner, being actually chop
ped to pieces with knives and axes. and
afterwards shot When this terrible news
reached the surrounding country, that
Fraser had been thus brutally murderded
the citizens of one accord focked TO the
scene of the murder anc endeayored to find
out the wr tches who had done this terri
deed. Facts and circumstances clearly
showed that the murder was planned, con-
cocted and instigstcd at the Chinese store
Of Lee Kec Nam & Co, for the sole and
only purpose of closing up tie American
store, thereby giving the entire mercantile
trade to the Chinese merchants.
Afler an investigation Of two days by the
citizens and those of the surrounding coun-
try, they held five Chinese guilty of this
foul murder, VIZ Lee Kee Nam, sum Sum,
Lee Quang Nam, Lee All Too and Loo All
Wong, who we're delivered by the citizens
10 the deputy sheriff with the instructions
to take them safely to Murray, me eouuiy
seat of said county, and deliver them 10
constituted authorities for trial, All the
citizens Of the surrounding country then
left for their homes. On the 18th DAY of
September the deputy sheriff with posse
of six men started with the prisoners for
Murray. the county of Shoshone county.
distance about two hundred miles. When
they had gone about four miles on their
way, where the road passes through dense |
growth of timber and un,lerbrush, they |
were suddenly halted and surrounded by |
large number of blaekened and masked |
armed men, the sheriff and his posse were
,isarmed, and the prisoners taken from
aim aud hanged.
The statement W the Chinese Consel 1
General THAT Fraser was the keeper of a /
is not true, for he had been a 4
heavy merchant and dealer in general mer |
chandise there for twenty years, and never |
was connected with restaurant in any |
way, The further statement that the .shite
miners became displeased with said Lee
hec Nam because some OF them were 70.
fused the privilege of obtaining goods on
trust from him. is also without foundation. /
Also the following statement is entirely
erroneous. ION the 10th day of the same
Llonth man by the name of Faninger
went and searched all over the Chinese
'torcs and houses without saying a word
Of explanation. Aher the search he start.
ed for Lewiston, returning on the sane
lay 10 0m Fine" No man By the name
81 faniuger, or of similar name, has
,ver lived in Orc Elmo for the last twenty
iears, and the distance frcm Orc Elmo TO
Lewiston is one hundred and twenty miles,
The following statement, Is also an uu.
ruth "All communications between the
Chinese and the natives, or among The
~hlnese themselves, from al, quarters, were
prevented"
The Ctinaman had every opportunity to
consult together, and every avcnuc was
open Tor them 10 prove their innocence.
several ~Ao we're Ia custody proved their
innocence and were discharged by this
judicial body.
This unfortunate difficulty occurred be.