Eagle Scout Project Workday
Volunteers – Front Billy Bob Dana, middle (l to r) Jonathan Syed, Hunter Skiles,
Brandon Bishop, and
Eagle
Scout Project at Pierce Chinese Hanging Site
In 1885, five Chinese men were accused
of killing a Pierce merchant, D.M. Fraser. As guilt could not be determined, the
men were being transported to
The Idaho Department of
Transportation has established a historic marker along Highway 11 near the site
where the hanging occurred. There is a trail that leads 365 feet up to a
memorial site (though the actual site is unknown). At one time, a stone marker
and interpretive sign was located at the end of this trail.
Unfortunately, vandals
stole the sign many years ago, and only the stone marker remained. In addition,
the trail was overgrown, and trees had fallen over it.
Life Scout, Jonathan
Syed, of Orofino’s Troop #536 chose the improvement of the Chinese Hanging Site
as his Eagle Scout project. Many months of research and planning culminated at a
work day on Saturday, June 5. Jonathan directed a group of volunteers to clear
the trail, and install a set of four interpretive signs along the path. The
signs begin with E.D. Pierce arriving in the area on a gold-seeking expedition,
discusses the ensuing gold rush, introduces the influx of the Chinese into the
area, and the final sign details the Fraser murder and Chinese hanging incident.
In addition to the
volunteers that assisted on the workday (shown in photo above), many others
aided Jonathan in his project. He would like to thank the following: ITD
Historic Byway for providing grant funding, Bill Maki for fabricating sign
backings and clamps, John Bergen for procuring sign posts,
As 2010 is Pierce’s Sesquicentennial, the focus of this year is celebrating the history of the area. Visitors and residents alike are encouraged to stop by the Chinese Hanging Site to view the improvements, and perhaps learn something new about our rich local history.