MASSACRE OF CHINESE AT LOS ANGELES CALIFORNlA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 203, 21 December 1871, Page 6

MASSACRE OF CHINESE AT LOS ANGELES CALIFORN lA.

The following account of a terrible riot which culminated in the roughs of a town in California, called Los Angeles, attacking the Chinese quarter, and ruthlessly murdering all the unfortunate Chinamen they came across is from a San Francisco journal : —

A feud existed between two heads of the Chinese companies. Four Chinamen it is reported were brought from San Francisco by the steamer to compass the death of one man. The attempt was made on Monday, the 25th October, and was futile, ft appears that all the parties thereto, including their intended victim, were arrested, and, on examination yesterday, the entire number placed under heavy bonds ; such bonds were given at about four o'clock yesterday afternoon, and the parties returned to their respective places of abode, and about five o'clock another fight commenced. Officer Bilderain, in attempting to quell it, received a shot in the shoulder. Calling for aid, Robert Thompson promptly responded, and ere one minute had elapsed, he had received a fatal wound just above the heart. A brother of Officer Bilderain also I'eceived a shot in the left ankle. The scene of all this was in the immediate neighbourhood oi the worst portion of our city, and the first to be attracted thereby were the roughs, thieves, gamblers, and vilest of scoundrels who there congregated. Appreciating the opportunity, no time was lost, and the fearful work at once commenced. Returning to the houses, the. Chinamen fired therefrom, while the infuriated and constantly augmenting crowd kept up a hot fire through the doors, windows, and every aperture which presented a chance for a Chinaman's life. Gradually closing in upon the buildings; all contained within one block, the roofs were finally reached, and from thence, (?) by means of boles cut through with axes, the- work- of death was carried on. For three hours this continued, varied occasionally by the carrying away and hanging of a Chinaman who was attempting to escape, until the better classes, aroused from the lethargy caused from the first shock of horror, rallied and stayed the terrible work at the. risk, however, of many of their own lives. The Sheriff, the City Marshal, and others did ail in their power to avert the terrible

calamity, but so often have the worst passions run riot here that a mighty effort was required to check them. At about half-past nine, however, reason had begun to prevail, and after fift-on bad been hanged and nearly as many more wounded and killed, the terrible tide which led to death was turned, and all thereafter caughc or arrested weio taken to ju.il. From the block cLnug the early part of the affair many Chinamen escaped, taking refuge iv the vineyards, orange groves, and the others beyond the river. In the jail in. the morning there lay some tea or twelve unbounded prisoners, so-ne sb; or eight slightly wounded, batter ju «r.d beaten, and four or five wounde.i, :f whom one has since died. In all so;je twenty-one are dead. But at twelvs o'clock last night all was quiet. A duly detailed guard held possession, of the Chinese quarters and surroundings, and respectable citizens retired to their homes in security and peace. Meantime, however, fully illustrative of the siprit of a crowd, aud despite the efforts of the peace officers, the quarter- as well as th.c bodies of the Chinese hs.'j beeu despoiled of money and all pc/riable valuables. The mob on Tuesday night, the 26th October, did some wholesale tiiihming at \he scene of the riot on Negro Alley. It is variously reported that from 14,000 dols. to 30,030 have beau stolen from the Chinese quarter.

Eighteen Chinamen were biaiecl vssterday. They presented a men ghUsi - and horrible sight. The ropes by wh.: ": they were hanged were still attaci -} to their necks, and a number of them were shot previously to being lian^eiOne or two of the victims hao thoir bodies riddled with bullets.