A Chinese Murderer Lynched By Californians Who Thought Imprisonment for Life Inadequate

COLUSA, Cal., July 11.—At about 12:30 yesterday morning Hong Di, the Chinese domestic who murdered Mrs. Billyon at St. John, some time ago, was taken from the jail and hanged by a mob. The murderer had been on trial for several days and a verdict of guilty was returned Saturday, the jury fixing his punishment at imprisonment for life.

The circumstances of the murder are as follows: Hong Di had been severely reprimanded by Mrs. Billyon for some shortcoming on his part and it had been noticed for a day or two that he was surly and morose. On the day of the murder Mrs. Billyon, who was a wealthy rancher, was absent in San Francisco on business. Mrs. Billyon, her two daughters and William Weaver, head servant man, were sitting at supper when the door of the dining room was thrown open by Hong Di, the cook, who leveled a Winchester rifle at Weaver and shot him through the shoulder. He fell on the floor and a second shot went through Mrs. Billyon’s heart, killing her instantly. Both daughters fled to an adjoining room and escaped uninjured. The Chinaman fled and Weaver managed to get on his feet and lock the door. No trace of the murderer could be seen for nearly a week, when he was found on the banks of the Sacramento River, nearly starved to death.

The circumstances of this assassination were still fresh in the mind of every one, and, on hearing the verdict, the crowd became exasperated. The Judge refused to accept the decision of the jury and a wild scene at once began. Almost every man present was armed and in an instant 100 pistols were drawn amid cries of “Lynch him.” The Sheriff jumped to his feet and quieted the crowd long enough to say that while he disapproved of the verdict he hoped no blood would be shed in court. The crowd left the court room and the prisoner was removed to jail.

Soon an effort was being arranged to lynch the Chinaman and, while the Sheriff and his charge were inside, a large and determined mob was forming outside the jail. All day long the crowds kept on the street, but no effort was made to get at the prisoner until near midnight. At that time the town was alive with strangers from surrounding places, including the captain of a steamer and twenty of his crew.

Citizens were posted at all avenues of escape and about 12:30 a break was made for the jail. Guards had been posted by the sheriff, but as they were in sympathy with those on the outside, little resistance was made. In a few minutes the assassin was in the avengers’ hands. Weaver, the man whom he had shot first was present, rope in hand. The prisoner was at once dragged out and conveyed to the bridge, shrieking and screaming in terror. His cries were addressed to deaf ears, however. The rope was put around his neck despite his desperate struggles, half a dozen men raised him in their arms and he was tossed over the parapet. The wretched being was probably half dead when thrown over. He struggled feebly a few moments and then the assassin of Mrs. Billyon swung quietly. Shortly afterward his body was cut down by order of the sheriff and taken.