In 1887, more than 30 Chinese gold miners were massacred on the Oregon side of Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America. Massacred for Gold, the first authoritative account of the unsolved crime—one of the worst of the many crimes committed by whites against Chinese laborers in the American West—unearths the evidence that points to an improbable gang of rustlers and schoolboys, one only 15, as the killers. The crime was discovered weeks after it happened, but no charges were brought for nearly a year, when gang member Frank Vaughan, son of a well-known settler family, confessed and turned state’s evidence. Six men and boys, all from northeastern Oregon’s remote Wallowa country, were charged—but three fled, and the others were found innocent by a jury that a witness admitted had little interest in convicting anyone. A cover-up followed, and the crime was all but forgotten for the next 100 years, until a county clerk found hidden records in an unused safe. In bringing this story out of the shadows, Nokes examines the once-substantial presence of Chinese laborers in the interior Pacific Northwest, describing why they came, how their efforts contributed to the region’s development, and how too often mistreatment and abuse were their only reward.

1800-1899, Américains d'origine chinoise Crimes contre Hells, Canyon (Idaho et Or.) Histoire 19e siècle, Chinese Americans Crimes against Hells Canyon (Idaho and Or.) History 19th century, Gold miners, Gold miners Hells Canyon (Idaho and Or.) History 19th century, Hells Canyon (Idaho and Or.) History 19th century, Hells Canyon (Idaho and Or.) Rac

pt. 1. The dead Tales of murder "Adventurous boys" Miles from Punyu Why they came More tales of murder The judge and "the Chinaman" A personal journey The mon-tung camp Two investigations "With great regret" Rock springs and more "Deplorable in the extreme" pt. 2. The "innocent" Vaughan confesses "Don't ask ... don't tell" A story changes Behind the news On a merry-go-round Claims for corpses A kind of trial Wanted : horse thieves Tightening the screws A second confession Blooming flour Flight pt. 3. P.S. keeping secrets The secret keepers And now, the journal The coffin maker Memorial not Horner's epilogue