Massacre at Hells Canyon | Oregon Experience | OPB
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Published 2023-05-26
Chinese immigrants helped build the West Coast of the United States, but they faced unprecedented legalized discrimination and violence. In 1887, a gang of Wallowa County, Oregon, men killed as many as 34 Chinese gold miners along the Snake River. For over a century, the murders were covered up, and no one was held accountable. This program delves into the mystery of what really happened at Chinese Massacre Cove and who was responsible.
Written story: www.opb.org/television/programs/oregon-experience/…
A version in Mandarin Chinese is available here:
watch.opb.org/video/massacre-at-hells-canyon-in-ma…
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All Comments (21)
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I am shocked the algorithm fed me this! My dad told me about killing the Chinese near Murtaugh Idaho along Snake River Canyon. I told a history teacher in Twin Falls ID the story in the 80's he said my dad made up the story. Wow, I feel so validated. RIP to those who never got justice. 😢
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This story really hit home with me.As a young man in the 1970's I prospected for gold in the headwaters of the Trinity River.Almost 50 years later,I call Eureka, Ca. my home.Eureka has a dark past.The Indian Island massace,that Brete Hart wrote about,the violent Chinese expulsion, and the killing of timber mill workers trying to unionize in the 1930's.Some of my clostest friends from working have been from Laos,and Mong,the sons of men who fought along side our troops in Vietman.Stories like this must never be forgotten, or swept under the rug.
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I've known about this for over 30 years. Most dismissed the event as BS or called it woke or accused me of being unAmerican for bringing it up. Thanks for creating this documentary.
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Amazing documentary. It’s beautiful to see people coming together to pay tribute to the victims and tell their story.
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I'm embarrassed that I am only just now learning about these terrible pieces of history. As an adult I studied and visited places abroad....but now realize how ignorant I am about the stories of those that suffered, struggled and created the US. Thank you for this documentary and education.
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During the mid 1970s I lived in an area of Josephine County Oregon near an historical gold mining location of town of Waldo which is long gone. My friend named Dick Stein owned the town but he also has passed away. I was camping in Allen Gulch summer 1976 along the East Fork Illinois River and one day as I was hiking through this remote forested area I came upon an meadow which there in the ground in front of me were very many short white crosses there, there was an large steep bluff facing the meadow. There was significant evidence of hydraulic mining at this site. I made inquiries to local knowledgeable persons about this spot and was told that there were many Chinese miners whom had been killed and buried alive from the mine shaft was blown up due to these Chinese had been revolting and causing problems. It was an very eerie experience for me to come across this sad site there in SouthWestern Oregon. The Chinese did much hydraulic mining and built miles of stone water canals throughout Southern Oregon.
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Please keep sharing information like this #stayaware #dontforgethistory
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I had heard rumors of this event 😔 such a sickening injustice
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A very profound documentary. I did not know this particular historical event but have read about other violent acts against Chinese communities and knew about the Chinese Exclusion Act. I am glad the researchers involved worked so hard to bring this story to light and that the Chinese miners were memorialized.
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I rafted hell's canyon in 2016. I had heard about the massacre and it's interesting to learn more. How horrible.
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History is history but it's purpose is to be remembered.
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absolutely loved this program .id heard this story before but had heard the outcome. thank you!
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there are still those among us who would perform such crimes on anyone they deem "inferior". they have been given license to come out of the woodwork and emerge from under the stones where they have had to hide. never forget. never again.
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Great work. Thank you for your dedication to bringing this history to light. Of all the wrongs we are learning about in our history, the treatment of Chinese immigrants must be one of the least known.
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Thank you for this video!! A really disgusting shame. What happened!!!!
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I think the horrible massacres of chinese in lake tahoe are the most horrific mass murders by way and number. Sinking large boats full of men to avoid paying them for building the rail road. 100s were murdered this way. Drowned. Google , Chinese drowned in lake tahoe California.
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great video/story bringing awareness to those of us ignorant of this happening(me at least). sad and tragic but glad you made the video.
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Been to the site many times while exploring Hells Canyon and the Snake river. There is a commemorative plaque located at the site
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Thank you for sharing these stories.
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Great video. Thanks sharing this story
