Page:Anti Chinese Riots at Seattle.djvu/6

 their baggage onto wagons and drove them to the dock at the foot of Main St., the intention being to load them onto the Str. “Queen,” which was expected from San Francisco any hour. Upon the arrival of Capt. Alexander with the “Queen” at Port Townsend, he first learned of the situation at Seattle, and when he arrived at the Ocean Dock he ran out the hot-water hose, declaring he would scald all persons attempting to force their way onto the ship. They willingly kept at a distance.

But the City was completely in the hands of the mob. The Acting Chief-of-Police Murphy and nearly all of the police force were aiding in the lawless acts.

Early in the day Gov. Watson C. Squire, being in the city, issued his proclamation ordering them to desist from violence, to disperse and return to their homes. Their only answer was yells and howls of defiance. He ordered out two military companies stationed in the City to report to the Sheriff of the County for the purpose of enforcing the laws.

A squad of 18 men from the Home Guards escorted an officer to the front of Dexter Horton’s Bank, where the Governor’s proclamation was read to the howling mob. They were furious at the presence of the armed men and would have attacked, had the Guards not promptly returned to their quarters at the Engine House. The removal of the Chinese from their homes continued till there were about 350 herded on Ocean Dock awaiting the transportation by rail or steamer to carry them away. A strong guard of rioters was placed over them.

Only those who could pay their fare were permitted to board the ship. The citizens subscribed a portion of the money to pay the fares of 100, being all that could be carried on the boat. In the meantime a writ of Habeas Corpus was issued by Judge Roger S. Greene, detaining the vessel and requiring Capt. Alexander to produce the Chinese then on his vessel at the Court Room next morning at 8 o’clock, that each Chinaman might be informed of his legal rights and say if he desired to go or remain; that if he wanted to remain he would be protected.

Early in the afternoon of the 7th, the Home Guards were ordered placed where they could best guard the City. The entire force was posted at the corner of Washington St. and Second Ave. and details sent out from there to guard a portion of the City. That night a portion of the Guards and the Seattle Rifles took up their quarters at the Court House, Company D