The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-01
Report Of the Mono County
Grand Jury.
The "FOksr Tom" and Alb Quons Tia
Tragedies at Bridgeport Reviewed.
Brutal Murder Of an Indian by Chilamal
ShOCkiagly AVeleed-Actisn Of On
GERS Of The Law Condemned.
Special to THE MORNING CALI

BRIDGEPoRT, Nov. 30-The Grand Jury,
after a two weeks session, have rendered
their final report. After careful and able
review Of the financial condition and the
affairs of the several county Offices, show
ing the county business to be well con-
Quoted and its financial standing good, they
say:
BRUTAL MURDER.
We desire 10 express a heartfelt wish that our
labors could terminate with the foregoing, but
the grave character OF an event that W IS brought
TO our attention impeTatiyely demands that We
give 1t the consideration which II calls for. The
Court In his charge brought 10 our attention the
fact that 10 tie early part OF May last an Indian
known as Poker Tom was supposed TO have
been murdered here. and mat Chnaman named
All Quong Tia was charged with The crime. and
that The said All QuOng Tia being discharged by
the Justice Of the Peace, was taken from the
courtroom by Indians and brutally murdered.
FATE OF POKER TOM"
After a careful and thorough investigation,
twenty-egbt Witnesses having been called and
examined, We ind that he Indian was murdered
and cut In pieces by All Quong Tai that An
QUOng Tia was charged with the murder by the
CoTOneTs jury and was arrested on The Coro-
uer's warrant; that the verdict OF the UoTOner's
Jury and the testimony taken by the Coroner
were not Immediately filed with the Clerk of the
Superior Court, nor were they delivered 10 the
sSnm Ptn mag %asT ws so 6Ss sS.t by
the preliminary examination the Justice
refused 10 commit The accused to appear before
the Superior Court, but discharged him fro IN
custody. In this We are OF the opinion the Jus.
tice erred, for the evidence seemed amply sutfi-
eient. We further find that the Deputy District
Attorney did not inierpose any objection what
ever when counsel for the defense moved for
dismissal. and that the defendants attorneys
urged his dismissal contrary 10 his expressed re-
quest, well knowing that their client would be
murdered If left unprotected.
BUTCHERED BY INDIANS.
The facts as disclosed 10 US in regard TO the
manner OF tie seizure and execution OF The un-
fortunate Cbinam2n are as follows: When the
accused was discharged al the conclusion OF The
examination, the constable who had been IN at
tendance on the court refused 10 give him the
protection which the law allowed and which he
demanded, but left the courtroom and immedt-
ltely announced the result Of The examination
on the street, when three or four Indians, WHO
seemed 10 have been 10 waiting, rushed INFO The
courtroom, seized All Tia, ana In spite OF bis
piteous cries for help, forcibly removed him
lheTeirom and up the street 10 a place beyond
the outskirts OF the town, and there butcnered
him and mutllated the body in 8 manner only
eQualed to atrocly by the murder OF Poker Tom
by All Tia himself The Sheriff. having almost
positive knowledge OF what was likely 10 occur,
refused TO afford All Tia protection unless he
was paid for II, aud remarking there was moth
ing he could do, sat quietly 10 his office While the
murderOus procession fled past his window.
ENCOURAGED BY WHITES.
Il is learned that tile Indians, after commit
ting their murdeTous work, returned 10 town
and left the same evening for their camping
ground. No attempt was ever made TO arrest
them. We further find that these Indians were
from the Government reservation al Walker
Lake, in The state Of Nevada. over 100 miles
distant, aud are unknown 10 The Jury. though
every witness was Called that We believed could
give testimony lending TO establish their iden-
tlty, and al our own expense We sent into the
State OF Nevada for evidence. We further hnd
that the Indians were animated and encouraged
In their criminal act by some OF the citizens
Of our town and vicinity. The constable
fhNg
have returned All Tia TO jail, and We believe
they could have secured aid II necessary; but
they did not call for assistance or attempt in any
way 10 secure him. We further find that the
Indians OF this county took no active part in
these unlawful proceedings, but held entirely
AloOf
OFFICERS CESsURED.
From the foregoing facts II is but too evident
that the peace officers OF thls town utterly failed
IN the discharge OF their duty and have thereby
caused a clOId Of shame and disgrace 10 hang
over our people. We also feel Il Incumbent upOn
Us 10 express our severe condemnation OF the
Indifference which chSracterlZ The actions OF
the deputy District Attorney IN conducting tue
examination In the Justice Court and also OF
those citizens who encouraged tue Indians to
the commission OF this barbaTous deed. OF the
t~enty-etgh witnesses examined by US not one
white person could name any OF the Indians
that murdered Ali Tia or In any way establish
their identity further than that they believed
them 10 be Indians from the reservation.
LACK OF EVIDENCE.
Il may be well 10 say In this connection that
an IndiAn called before Us as witness testified
as follows; ''Our chief say no talk. Tom dead !;
Tia dead; pretty good" From these statements
II IS evident 10 our minds That II would be very
difficult IL not Impossible to procure evidence
70 convict u indictments were found. In con-
ciuslon, We deem II proper to state that from in-
formation which has come to our knowledge We
believe All Quong Tia was boru In California
aud consequently was a citizen of the United
States. In support OF this belief We ind that he
applied on or about September, 1888, to the
County Clerk OF this county for registration.