premises, A carpet-bag and valise were broken open but nothing of value discovered. Taking from his pocket a bottle of kerosene Roberts emptied it upon the victims and about the floor. Then calling upon all to make ready, he cried " Fire I " and each selecting his man four of the six unfortunates fell dead, and the other two so badly wounded that they were supposed to be killed. Some of the party fired twice. The murderers then fled, taking different routes back to town, and neglecting in their awe-stricken haste to fire the premises as they had intended.
It was about 9 o'clock that the killing was done, and at ten the murderers were at their homes and most of them in bed. Peaceful nmst have been their slumbers that night. It had been agreed that in case any of them were arrested Wright should swear they were in his stable at the time.
The 1 6th of March a public meeting was held at which it was agreed 'that the citizens of Chico view with horror the assassination of peaceful Chinamen, and the indiscriminate destruction of property which has prevailed recently in our midst, and we pledge ourselves to use our utmost power to bring to justice the perpetrators of these outrages, and to this end will cheerfully second any eftbrts of our officers." Indignation ran high on the afternoon of the same day, when it was discovered that a notice had been posted on the office door of the Keefer rancho cautioning the proprietor against the employment of Chinese under penalty of destruction of the premises. Two men were arrested on suspicion.
Next day the excitement was still more increased by the receipt by many citizens of threatening notices, all mailed after eight o'clock the night previous. " Get rid of your Chinese help within fifteen days or suffer the consequences." Signed "Committee." A threat was sent to an officer by mail that if he took any measures for the detection of the murderers of the Chinamen, he himself would be killed. The question of
