Mob Lynched Chinese Cook After Assault Allegation

On October 3, 1883, near Weatherby, Oregon, an unnamed Chinese cook employed by the Jessop family was lynched after being accused of assaulting a seven-year-old girl. The Sacramento Union described a pursuit in which excited men set fire to the woods: “The flames drove the Celestial out, when he was captured. A rope was procured, and the Chinaman was lynched. The whole affair did not occupy twenty minutes. The Sheriff was sent for after the Celestial was dead, but deemed it prudent to make no arrests. The action of the citizens is generally sanctioned.” This lynching follows the familiar script in which the mob acts under the pretext of performing justice, local law enforcement did not provide protection, the Chinese man was hanged, and the perpetrators were not punished.