The 19th century Idaho frontier was full of murder, with Chinese victims commonplace

Murder was all too common on the Idaho frontier, and the victims were often Chinese. In September 1865, the Idaho World of Idaho City reported: “The Chinaman shot by Herman Kurtz on Wednesday morning died on Thursday night. Kurtz waived an examination and was committed to the county jail by Justice McGowan.”

On Nov. 18, 1865: “In the case of the people vs. Herman Kurtz, charged with the killing of a Chinaman in this city a few months ago, the verdict returned by the jury was ‘guilty of murder in the first degree.’ Kurtz was sentenced to hang on January 18, 1866. A motion for a new trial having been made and denied, the prisoner has taken his appeal to the Supreme Court.”

On Jan. 20, 1866: “Kurtz, the prisoner sentenced to have been hung on Thursday last still lives, his punishment having been at the last moment commuted by Governor Caleb Lyon to imprisonment for life. A brother of the condemned arrived with the document on Thursday morning, having traveled all night through a severe snow storm and almost impassable snow. Had that brother perished in the attempt to come through, how noble would have been the sacrifice.”

Meanwhile, in January 1866, in an item with a clear racist tone, the World reported: “The China Murder Case. Ting Hop Wan, or whatever his name is, was bound over in the Justice’s Court at Pine Grove, to await his trial at the ensuing term of the District Court in February. In default of bonds he was sent to jail.”

On March 3, “In criminal matters the District Court this week disposed of the noted China murder case. On the charge against Yung Tung, Hong Ling, and Lee Way — assault with intent to commit murder, the jury returned a verdict of ‘not guilty.’”

In October 1866, the World reported: “Chinese Murder Case. The two Chinamen, Goi Him and John Lau, charged with the murder of Jo Jul, another Chinaman on the 22d of September, in this city, underwent an examination before Justice McGownd during the week, and were committed to prison to await trial in the District Court. The examination was very lengthy, continuing through three days, and was finally submitted without argument. Some of the testimony was very conflicting, but still a strong case was made out against the accused, by both White and Chinese witnesses. The killing was horribly executed.”

“Chinaman Killed” was the headline in the Idaho World on Sept. 29, 1866. “A row occurred last Saturday night between some adherents of the rival companies of Yung Wah and Se Yup. A Chinaman belonging to the Yung Wah Co. was stabbed and killed. He was known by the name of An Goe. Warrants were issued for two arrests but one of the parties, Ah Yung, made his escape; the other, Ah Ham, is in custody, and will have an examination before Justice McGowan today. We hear that $1500 has been raised among the Yung Wah Co. for the prosecution, and a considerable amount among the Se Yup Co. for defense. Several attorneys are engaged.”

When a Chinese woman was murdered at Pioneer City in October 1866, the World said it was done “just for the fun of it.” Although no details were given, it was a tragedy and should have been treated that way.

This story was originally published August 1, 2020 at 8:00 AM.