No. 259.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Chang Yen
Hoon.
Department of State,
Washington, April 11,
1888.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for
your information in connection with my note to you of February 23, 1888,
relative to the murder of certain Chinese subjects on Snake River,
Oregon, a copy of a letter from the governor of the Territory of Idaho,
dated the 3d instant, upon the subject. It will be observed that,
despite the excellent disposition of Governor Stevenson, the very
limited knowledge of the facts so far as disclosed makes investigation
difficult, if indeed it does not tend to defeat the ends of justice.
Accept, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Governor Stevenson to Mr. Bayard.
Boisé City, Idaho, April 3, 1888.
Sir: In reply to your letter of February
24, inclosing correspondence from the minister of China relating to
the murder of ten Chinamen on Snake River.
I have deferred answering, hoping that I might be able to give some
information as to who were the parties that committed this terrible
and brutal murder, but up to this date have been unable to obtain
any important facts. I have referred the matter to the officers of
the law and will see that every effort shall be made to find out the
guilty parties and bring them to punishment.
The place where the Chinamen were working was about 120 miles above
Lewiston, in the State of Oregon. Only one body was found in Idaho
and he had floated down the river and lodged on the Idaho side of
Snake River, at Lime Kiln. The body found at Penewana bar, 40 miles
below Lewiston, and the one at Log Cabin Bar, 30 miles below
Lewiston, were both in Washington Territory.
Any information I shall be able to obtain will be forwarded to you at
once.
I have, etc.,
