Chinese Massacre Cove facts for kids

Chinese Massacre Cove is a special place along the Snake River in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States. It's found within the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. This area is famous because of a sad event that happened there. In May 1887, thirty-four Chinese gold miners were attacked and killed.

A Sad Event in History

Chinese Massacre Cove is where a very unfair event happened to Chinese immigrants in the Northwest United States. In May 1887, thirty-four Chinese gold miners were attacked. A group of people from Wallowa County were responsible.

Discovering the Crime

At first, people found bodies near Lewiston, Idaho. They didn't know exactly what had happened. Later, a man named Lee Loi from San Francisco wanted to find out more. He worked for a company that hired many Chinese miners.

Lee Loi asked Judge Joseph K. Vincent to investigate. Judge Vincent reported what he found to the Chinese consulate in San Francisco. The consulate then asked the U.S. State Department for help. They shared details about the victims and the attackers.

No Justice for the Victims

More than a year after the killings, a trial was held. This was in Enterprise, Oregon, on September 1, 1888. A group of people called a grand jury looked into the case. They accused six men and boys of the murders. However, no one was ever punished for this terrible crime. Over time, many people forgot about the massacre.

Remembering the Past

In 2005, the area was officially renamed "Chinese Massacre Cove." The U.S. Board on Geographic Names made this change. It was done to remember the crime and the victims.

Every year since then, people hold meetings and special ceremonies at the site. Local groups remember the Chinese immigrants who were killed. In June 2012, a lasting memorial was placed there. It is a granite stone that honors the miners.

The words on the memorial are in English, Chinese, and Nez Perce. Nez Perce is the language of the Native Americans who lived there before. The memorial says: "Chinese Massacre Cove — Site of the 1887 massacre of as many as 34 Chinese gold miners — No one was held accountable." These words remind us of the unfairness faced by Chinese people, Native Americans, and other minority groups in the past. They show that justice was not always given to everyone.