Was it Homicide? Ah Fat, a Chinese Packer Dies from a Blow on the Head Inflicted by a White Man

WAS IT HOMICIDE?

Ah Fat, a Chinese Packer Dies from a Blow on the Head Inflicted by a White Man.

A messenger arrived from Jackson bridge last Monday night for a doctor to attend a sick Chinaman. Dr. Bibby left and on arriving at the bridge found the Chinaman dead, death being caused by a contusion on the head. Next day at noon coroner Kirkwood proceeded to the bridge, empaneled a jury and held an inquisition. The first witness examined was Lee Hem, a Chinaman, who testified that he resided at the bridge; that deceased was Ah Fat, aged 36 years; that deceased arrived at the bridge at half past ten Monday night, went into the house and laid down on the bed. He was unable to talk and held his head in his hands. Witness sent Ben Wing to Grangeville for a doctor. Dr. ——— arrived at 3 a.m., Tuesday morning. Deceased died at half past one. Witness was with him all the time but he never spoke. Did not know what was the matter until the doctor arrived. Subpoenas having been issued for witnesses at Grangeville and the hour being late the jury adjourned till Wednesday morning, when Lin Yew, being sworn, testified that he left Mt. Idaho last night at six o’clock with deceased; that about one and one-half miles from town they met two white men who scared their horses and stampeded two of them. The white men then went to Roll Brown’s and came out of the house each armed with a pistol and fired several shots in the air. Witness and deceased dismounted for fear their horses might run away. Deceased said ‘Ah, you are too saucy,’ and one of the men struck Ah Fat a side blow on the head with a pistol. Witness did not see Ah Fat for ten or fifteen minutes as witness was gathering up his horses. Returning, he saw some three bystanders hasten toward Ah Fat, who was lying on the ground. Witness brought the horse to Jackson’s bridge, Ah Fat bringing up the rear; it was getting dark and witness did not know whether Ah Fat was hurt and able to speak or not. Witness arrived in camp and began getting supper. The white men were of different sizes. Could recognize the men; knew them; they were the same men who scared the horses. The assaulting party was there and stood with the bystanders.

The jury adjourned to meet at Mt. Idaho at one p.m. The cadaver was boxed up and also brought to Mt. Idaho, and at the stated hour, additional witnesses being subpoenaed, the hearing began.

Linn Smith deposed. Heard some shots, saw nothing picked up; saw the Chinaman fall and sit up again. Went with Jas. Rice and asked where he was hurt and he pointed to his left ear. Chinaman mounted his horse and went away.

R. C. Brown deposed corroborating foregoing witness. Saw no weapons. Saw Wiley Knighten run toward the Chinaman and make a motion and saw the Chinaman fall. Chinaman mounted his horse without apparent effort.

Jas. Rice deposed. Heard no shooting. Saw Knighten approach Chinaman and make a motion with his right arm and saw Chinaman fall. I approached the Chinaman and asked if he was hurt but got no answer. I held his horse while he mounted. Noticed blood on his left shoulder.

— — Root deposed. Was at Brown’s house and saw Chinamen pass with pack train. Told Knighten they were riding skittish horses and if we ran behind them and fired pistols we would see some fun. Witness and Knighten got in road fifty yards behind them and fired. Ah Fat dismounted and called Knighten a ——— of a ——— and told him to come on. Knighten approached and stooped as though to pick up something and made a short stroke with his right arm. Saw the Chinaman fall and sit up again. I approached him, met Knighten coming back and asked if the Chinaman was hurt and he said ‘not much, I guess.’ Saw Chinaman mount and ride off. Knighten was not close enough to strike with a pistol. Witness and Knighten passed the Chinamen the same evening at Manuel’s place; we were riding wild horses. My horse kept to the road and Knighten’s kept off. No words passed and no pistols were fired at that time.

There being no other evidence the jury retired and returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death from a blow on the head inflicted by a missile in the hands of Wiley Knighten.