Doug Chin's book Seattle's International District tells of the rising anti-Chinese sentiment in Seattle after the Northern Pacific Railroad was completed in 1883. On February 7, 1886 a committee of anti-Chinese notified the 350 Chinese in Seattle that they must leave on a steamer that afternoon. The boat filled to capacity but about 100 remained. A gun battle broke out.
"The incident provoked Governor Squire to proclaim a state of insurrection, declare martial law, suspend the writ of habeas corpus, and request federal troops."
