The next tragic chapter in the history of Seattle occured in the winter
of 1886, and is known as the Chinese Riots. It is not my purpose to give
a detailed statement of either the cause or the facts attending them.
They had no substantial cause. They sprang from race prejudice and
political madness. There had been no actual or threatened invasion by
the Chinamen, of the rights of persons, or of property, or of personal
security. In fact, the Chinamen were a quiet and peaceable folk, engaged
in the more humble occupations of life. They did not interfere in
politics, or in the social or civic concerns of society. In numbers they
were a small body as compared with the dominant race. In these
circumstances it was resolved by quite a large but irresponsible faction
that the Chinese must go; and a notice was served upon them fixing the
time of their required departure. They paid no attention to it, but
continued in their peaceful avocations. At the appointed time, a large
committee--headed, I am sorry to say, by two lawyers who were backed up
by promise of support of their fellow conspirators--went to the Chinese
quarters, and, with threat of the use of force if they did not obey,
compelled them to pack up their portable effects and to go to a
designated wharf where they could go aboard of a steamer bound for San
Francisco. There was a strong line of assistants to speed their progress
to the wharf, and to guard them after their arrival there. Many thus,
were deported. The Courts soon interfered. Writs of Habeas Corpus were
granted to the Chinamen, and, no cause for their restraint appearing,
they were discharged. His Excellency, Governor Watson C. Squire, being
in town, ordered out the Militia, which under the command of the bold
and fearless Col. J. C. Haines, who was ably assisted by General E. M.
Carr and others, did effective work. The _posse comitatus_ was also
summoned, and it quickly responded. In the afternoon of that fatal day a
conflict occurred between the opposing forces near the Old New England
Hotel; shots were fired by both parties, and two of the rioters were
seriously wounded. The flow of blood seemed to have a cooling effect on
the rioters, and they slowly departed for their homes, disappointed,
defeated in their purpose, and with smothered feelings of vengeance.
The Governor, wisely considering the actual and threatened danger
existing, proclaimed martial law, suspended the writ of Habeas Corpus
until further orders, and by telegraph requested the President of the
United States to send a Federal military force adequate to preserve
order, to vindicate the supremacy of the treaties of the United States
and the honor of the Government. That military force soon appeared under
the command of General Gibbons, and for two weeks or more the town was
under martial law. Peace and order having been restored, and the sober
second thought having asserted its dominion, the troops were withdrawn
and all was well. Thus ended the third chapter of tragedy in the history
of the town (now City) of Seattle.