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September 21, 1885 – Squak Valley (Issaquah), Washington Territory: Wite Farmers and Vigilantes Murdered Three Chinese Men during Massacre

Date:September 21, 1885
Location:Gilman (Squak Valley), Washington
Event Type:Lynching
Victim Names:Mong Gow; Yeng San; Fung Woey
Victim Gender:Male
No. of Victims:3
Accusation:Labor dispute
Compiled By:Jean Pfaelzer; Monroe Work Project
Map showing location of Gilman (Squak Valley), Washington

Narrative

In September 1885 in Squak Valley (Issaquah), Washington Territory, local farmers and vigilantes attacked the Chinese community and killed three Chinese men. The massacre drove out the remaining Chinese residents. This violent expulsion reflects how white laborers resisted Chinese competition and sometimes resorted to murder.