The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-25
POKER TOMS AVENGERS.
The Indians Who Butchered a Chinese
Murderer to Be Arrested.

BRIDGEPORT, Cal, July 24.-S. B. Hop
kins, formerly deputy United States mar
shall, arrived here last evening, and this
morning commenced taking testimony in
regard to the murder of All Quong Tai,
the Chinaman who was killed and brutally
chopped to pieces by Indians on the 9th
of June last The Chinaman had muir
dered an Indian by the name of Poker
Tom, had cut his body to pieces, had
sailed it down. and then cooked and fed
the Indians on a portion of it, which so
exasperated them that they cut and mutt
lated Tails body in the same manner. It'll
generally understood that the examination
of witnesses is for the purpose of laying
the facts of the killing before Chinese Con-
sui Colbee, who had been requested by the
Chinese government to investigate the
affair from here. Mr.. Hopkins will go to
the Walter river reservation to learn which
of the Indians were engaged in the muir
der. 1t is probable that demand will be
made for the arrest and punishment of the
Indian leaders.
The killing is thus described by an eye-
witness:
The cries for mercy and shreks of despair
which came from the lips of the Chinaman as
the Indians dragged him through the main
street of the little town were so piteous that
women tainted and some were SO overcome
with nervous terror that their lives were in peril
for hours. Boys and girls who happened to
hear the cries became Frustrated with fear
Even men who had paid little attention to the
case, never dreaming that such a bloody climax
would be reached, were made sick by the ghast-
ly scene.
Dragging their shrieking victim the full length
of the town, the Indians at last reached field
In the outskirts and threw him over the fence
There they formed a ring around the poor
wretch, who was too terrified TO stand. few
white men and boys, attracted by curiosity
formed fringe on the edge of the crowd OF In
dams.
Then two burly Indians suddenly sprang upon
the Chinaman, who was squatting on the
ground wrlnging his hands and moaning hoarse-
ly. One hoisted him 10 his feet, while the other,
a brawny six-footer, who was said 10 be a broth
or OF Poker Tom. grabbed the Chinaman's right
arm and slashed II off at the shoulder with one
blow of his heavy knife. Shrek upon shrek
came from the victim as the blood spurted and
the executioner held up the severed arm with
smile that was answered by a savage shout from
the crowd.
Again the heavy knife deeended and the
coolies left arm was sliced of, and once more
came the heart rendiug cries from the dying
Chinaman, though weaker than before, and then
the Piute butcher, with frightful upward
sweep of the knife, ripped the coolie open from
navel to collar bone. and, tearing the yiscera
from the gasping victim, scattered them among
the sage brush at his feet saying in the Indian
tongue:
This IS the way he cut up our brother"
As the Chinese fell 10 the ground at fun length
on his back the Indian butcher leaned over him.
and, with several quick strong blows, divided
the legs at the thighs, and then with one blow,
he decspitated him.
The remains were left lying in the field, and
the Indians adjourned 10 neighboring field to
hold pow-wOw. The county physician begged
the chief OF the band to bury the man, and this
was done. When the esrth was thrown over
All liza the savAges left for the reservation