In 1871 eighteen Chinese were lynched because two men fought over a woman and accidentally killed a white person.   View the following video on what happened that day. It was known as the Largest lynching in US history.  Or just read about it below.  In 1871, Los Angeles was small, numbering about 6,000 people. Of those 6,000, only about two hundred were Chinese. Most of the Chinese people lived on the Calle de los Negros, named for the Spaniards who used to occupy the lane. Together, they formed the Chinatown. Two rival Chinese businessmen were arguing over a woman, and a shootout ensued, resulting in the death of a white civilian aiding the responding police officers who were trying to break up the fight. The Chinese hid in the Coronel building, but were forced out by an angry white mob. This mob only grew in size and power, setting up gallows by turning wagons upright and lynching those unfortunate enough to be there. Eighteen men were killed; only one participated in the sh