Page:Anti Chinese Riots at Seattle.djvu/11

 and threats of vengeance back until that force should be withdrawn. Immediately after the troops left, the mob began to organize an armed force to take possession of the City and shoot down any armed opposition. They drilled their men in several secret places in the city and county and so alarming was the situation, the constant drilling of our force of 400 men lasted several months, and so intense did the feeling become that our men declared that if they had to meet an armed mob they would shoot down every one they could find. This intense feeling and purpose becoming known, their leaders succeeded in persuading their followers to abandon armed resistance and prepare for the fall election, at which they believed they could elect their men to every County office, which they did, with the exception of one County Commissioner.

If their plan succeeded, they were to arrest a number of our leading men, convict and hang them. They were bent on revenge. They were warned by the Guards against any attempt on the lives of these loyal citizens. Gradually the smothered feeling of opposition to good government subsided and security was restored, business resumed its usual course and the City seemed on a more substantial basis than ever before. The fact that the City had a spirit of loyalty and patriotism that could and would enforce good government gave an assurance of safety to those who saw fit to make their homes among us and invest their money and engage in business. It gave the City of Seattle credit with the financial centers of the East, which was in great contrast with cities that yielded to mob violence. Soon after the shooting occurred the infuriated rioters, to vent their vengeance on the guards, swore out warrants for the arrest of Judge Thos. Burke, Rev. L. A. Banks, E. M. Carr, Frank Hanford and David Webster and they were taken before Police Justice Hill, who required them to give bonds in the sum of $5000 each, which was an outrage. They were officers of the law, performing their duty as Deputy Sheriffs. They had been picked out for the fearless and conspicuous part they had taken.

Judge Burke had made several speeches during the agitation that preceded the outbreak in which he denounced in the severest terms all unlawful utterances and acts. Rev. Banks had done the same from his pulpit. At the time the bells rang, Banks was preaching his Sunday morning sermon. Hearing the signal he stopped short and said: “I know where my duty lies,” then pronounced the benediction, procured his rifle from