The Valentine Democrat
February 10, 1898
Chinamen have a Lawsuit.
Several months ago E.D. Cohota sold a horse, wagon and harness to Sam Lee, the post Chinaman, but the latter individual not paying the balance due, Cohota sued Sam for $5 and the case was heard in Judge Towne’s court Tuesday morning. Numerous witnesses were sworn and the Judge gave Cohota a judgment against Sam for $5, and sentenced Sam to pay the costs, also, which later amounted to about $15.
Western News-Democrat
February 16, 1899
(bottom of column 4)
Died, Monday morning, after an illness of five months, Mrs. E.D. Cohota, at her home near Fort Niobrara. She leaves a husband and six children, the eldest of the little ones being 10 years of age and youngest five months. It is not yet known what disposition the husband will make of the children, but we are told they will be sent to some home. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. J.M. Bates, yesterday, followed by interment at the Fort.
July 20, 1899
Mrs. Hackler walked two miles to Ed Cohota’s and secured his assistance, with which the ladies and rig were brought to town, but little the worse for their unpleasant experience.
The Valentine Democrat
July 26, 1900For Cattle Stealing
E.D. Cohota, the Chinese ex-soldier who has made his home between this city and Fort Niobrara, near the bridge, was arrested and taken before Judge Towne last week on the charge of stealing cattle. He was bound over to the District court and in lieu of bond for appearance he is in the custody of the sheriff. Jude Tucker and son, John M. Tucker will defend the case and County Attorney Morrissey will conduct the prosecution.
Mr. Cohota has served 30 years in the United States army and has been on the retired list for some time. Nearly two years ago his wife died, leaving him with a family of small children, the youngest being an infant, which was taken to the Orphans’ home where it died shortly afterward. Two more are in the Orphanage and two are in the family of Charles Sherman.
World-Herald
(Omaha, Nebraska)
August 5, 1900
Chinese Cattle Rustler
“Cohota,” a Naturalized Cherry County Chinaman, Accused of Stealing Stock.
Commended for Gallantry and Bravery in Civil War and Served Years in Army.
Blames Missionaries for Chinese Imbroglio Saying They are the Forerunners of Conquest.
Special Dispatch to the World Herald.
Valentine, Neb., Aug. 4.—The arrest of E.D. Cohota, for cattle rustling in Cherry county, owing to the defendant’s prominence, associations, surroundings and past history, is one of the most unique cases in criminal annals in this section of the country.
E.D. Cohota is a native-born Chinaman. His father and mother being thoroughbred Chinese, occupying high official positions in their country, afforded then opportunity to give their son a good English and Chinese education.
At the age of 22 or thereabouts, this boy became much interested in the events which led up to our civil war, and after reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” he became so greatly impressed with the injustice being done the black race, that soon after he laid down plans to come to America to join the union forces. To do this, one can imagine the difficulties that beset young Cohota, but he overcame then all, and a short time after landing in the United States he joined the army and served with distinction throughout the civil war.
After the war, owing to his soldierly qualities, inducements were offered by his commanding officer to remain in the service, and he accordingly reenlisted and served until he was retires at the end of thirty years’ service, at half pay.
His papers show that he was commended upon several occasions for gallantry and bravery while in action.
Ten years before he was retired from the army he married a white woman, and as a result of this union there are five children.
Three yeas ago the mother died, and three of the younger children have since been placed in an orphan asylum at Omaha.
Mr. Cohota is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Masonic fraternity. He is well educated, and is an interesting conversationalist, and takes much interest in the affairs of the world.
While he greatly admires America and loves her institutions, he also takes an interest in the welfare of his native country. He is confident that the foreign ministers in China are safe, and in discussing the question, he stated that he blames the missionaries for a great deal of the trouble, contending that they are but the forerunners of “conquest in the name of God,” and, to prove his assertion, he called the reporter’s attention to the occupation of Kauchua by the Germans, which, he said, would be found in “Appleton’s Annual.” He is of the opinion that as long as his people feel that the great powers are using the missionaries as a pretext to destroy the empire, no advance will be made toward Christianity, and he feels that as soon as kindness and love displace force and threats that great advancement will be made.
Mr. Cohota vehemently asserts his innocence of cattle stealing, and feels confident that he will be vindicated at the trial.
(Missouri)
August 6, 1900
Chinaman Arrested.
Ex-Federal Soldier Charged With Cattle-Rustling in Nebraska.
The Valentine Democrat
April 18, 1901
The jury disagreed in the case against E.D. Cohota and another trial will be given him Friday.
April 25, 1901
E.D. Cohota was pronounced not guilty by the jury last Friday evening and after nine months in the county jail he goes forth a free man.
July 11, 1901
Commissioners Proceedings
September 25, 1902
Ed Cohota is cooking in the Munson restaurant.
January 1, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
January 8, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
January 22, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
January 29, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
February 5, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
February 12, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
February 19, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
March 5, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
March 19, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
March 26, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
April 2, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
April 9, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
April 16, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
April 23, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
April 30, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
May 7, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
May 14, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
May 21, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
May 28, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
June 4, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
June 11, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
June 18, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
June 25, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
July 2, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
July 9, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
July 16, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
July 23, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
July 30, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
August 6, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
August 13, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
August 20, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
August 27, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
September 3, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
September 10, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
September 17, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
September 24, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
October 1, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
October 8, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
October 15, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
October 22, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
October 29, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
November 5, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
November 12, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
November 19, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
November 26, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
December 3, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
December 10, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
December 24, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
December 31, 1903
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
January 7, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
January 14, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
January 28, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
February 4, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
February 11, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
February 18, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
March 3, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
March 10, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
March 17, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
March 24, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
April 7, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
April 14, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
May 5, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
May 12, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
May 19, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
May 26, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
June 2, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
June 9, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
June 23, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
June 30, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
July 7, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
July 14, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
August, 4, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
August 18, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
August 25, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
September 1, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
September 8, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
September 15, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
September 29, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
October 6, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
October 20, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
October 27, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
November 3, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
November 10, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
November 17, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
November 24, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
December 1, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
December 8, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
December 15, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
December 22, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
December 29, 1904
Kangaroo Restaurant advertisement
April 13, 1905
E.D. Cohota has purchased the Perry Lawson barber shop and restaurant, building and lot.
April 20, 1905
…We saw them down to Cohota’s restaurant trying to get on the outside of a good hot, square meal.
September 7, 1905
About 8:15 Saturday morning Ed Cohota, Jr., shot and dangerously wounded Grant Thomas, a colored cook at his father’s restaurant on south Main street, the bullet passing through the man’s neck, just missing the wind-pipe and jugular vein. The gun was held so close to the man’s face that it broke his jaw. It seems that Ed and the cook were scuffling on the bed when the former, in fun, grabbed a pistol out of its holster that was hanging on the bed post, pointing it at Thomas, and accidentally discharged it with the above results. Medical attendance was secured at once and at present Thomas is getting along fairly well. Mr. Cohota, Sr., was at Hot Springs doctoring for rheumatism when the shooting occurred, but upon receipt of news of the accident returned home Monday morning and is suffering quite severely with the rheumatism yet.
November 9, 1905
W.C. Shull has rented the old Perry Lawson barber shop from E.D. Cohota and asks for a share of your patronage.
November 16, 1905
Ben Hobson’s son, Frank, has the chicken popx. Lucy Cohota has been ill at Jesse Granger’s with the same disease. All are recovering rapidly.
June 14, 1906
James Galloway is putting down cement sidewalks this week for E.D. Cohota and Geo. Hershey, and has completed a cement walk in front of J.W. Stetter’s, A. Lewis’ and Mrs. E.J. Davenport’s residence properties on north Cherry street.
July 26, 1906
Commissioners’ Proceedings.
Price Case:
Ed Cohota $2 50
April 25, 1907
W.C.T.U. Column
The following persons signed petitions for saloons. The figure opposite each name signifies the number of petitions signed:
Cohota, E.D. 4
June 6, 1907
E.D. Cohota is walking around with crutches this week but it’s better than staying in the house. Ed says it’s harder to walk with four legs than two. About three weeks ago Mr. Cohota broke a vein in one of his limbs and the swelling and rheumatism resulting, caused him to lay up for repairs a couple of weeks.
January 2, 1908
Ed Cohota has been ill with the grip.
April 30, 1908
Last Saturday evening about 8:30 Ed Cohota jr., heard some one in the back yard of the Cohota restaurant and shot through the window in the direction of the sound.
Dakota County Herald
(Dakota City, Nebraska)
May 1, 1908
Boy Shoots Disturber.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
The Nebraska Advertiser
(Nemaha City, Nebraska)
May 1, 1908
Shoots Half-Breed Indian.
The Nebraska Advertiser
(Nemaha City, Nebraska)
May 1, 1908
Shoots Half-Breed Indian.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
The Norfolk Weekly News-Journal
(Nebraska)
May 1, 1908
Get Bullet in His Hip.
The Norfolk Weekly News-Journal
(Nebraska)
May 1, 1908
Get Bullet in His Hip.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
The Valentine Democrat
May 7, 1908
Boy Shoots Disturber.
At about 10 o’clock Saturday night Edward Cohota, of Valentine, a 17-year-old boy, heard someone rapping on the window of his rooms beside the Cohota restaurant. The rapping continued and Edward shot through the window, the bullet hitting the man in the hips. His name was Sam Bordeaut, a drunken half-breed Indian. The wound was not fatal.
July 2, 1908
E.D. Cahota [sic] has a genuine Teddy bear now in the shape of a young coon which he purchased in the country last Saturday.
September 24, 1908
Ed Cohota had another hemorrhage of a varicose vein in his ankle last week which crippled him up some but he’s able to be about.
October 1, 1908
Lucy Cohota handed in her books Tuesday evening and stated that she had to work in the restaurant at home. It is sad when such a good student is compelled to drop her work and especially since she has arrived at the age when her studies mean so much to her.
March 4, 1909
debate, Eddie Cohota
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
September 23, 1909
The high school met and organized a literary society….Ed Cohota, executive committee
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
December 2, 1909
R. Howe has leased the old City hotel of Ed Cohota and opened up for business last Friday.
Negative, Ed Cohota
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
March 3, 1910
Wanted: A middle aged woman and girl, or two girls, to cook and do restaurant work. Must understand restaurant work.
E.D. Cohota, Valentine, Neb.
Those who are to deny the proposition there are Helen Sparks, Edward Cohota and Lawrence Rice…
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
March 10, 1910
The U.S. history class was favored by two fine talks last Tuesday morning, one on books by Harold Yeast, and one on Mints by Edward Cohota.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
April 14, 1910
…Edward Cohota will argue the negative.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
April 28, 1910
School Notes
Edward Cohota
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
April 28, 1910
Valentine–Gordon Debate
Ed Cohota……800 points
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
October 20, 1910
Capt. Cohota says that if the gentleman to whom he loaned his army overcoat during the carnival last summer, doesn’t return it at once, he will be compelled to cause him some inconvenience.
December 29, 1910
Ed Cohota is home from the university to spend a few days.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
April 13, 1911
Ed Cohota and Lee Stillwell are home from the university to spend Easter vacation.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
The Albany Evening Journal
(New York)
July 13, 1912
Chinese Veteran Retired.
E.D. Cahota [sic] holds the distinction of being the only full-blooded Chinaman who has ever been retired from the United States army with more than 20 years of service. Cohata [sic] was born in China in 1848 of poor parentage, says the Boston “Globe.” Because his family could hardly get enough food and clothing to keep him alive, he left home when five years old and shipped as a cabin boy on a vessel touching his home port. After visiting many foreign shores the vessel put in at Boston and Cahota decided to try his luck in America. About nine years after his arrival in this country the Civil war was at its height and he joined the Twenty-third Massachusetts regiment. He served continuously in the army from 1865 to 1895, when he was retired from active service at Fort Niobrara, Neb., at his own request.
The Watertown Herald
(New York)
July 20, 1912
Chinese Veteran Retired
E.D. Cahota [sic] holds the distinction of being the only full-blooded Chinaman who has ever been retired from the United States army with more than 30 years of service. Cohota was born in China in 1848 of poor parentage, says the Boston “Globe.” Because his family could hardly get enough food and clothing to keep him alive, he left home when five years old and shipped as a cabin boy on a vessel touching his home port. After visiting many foreign shores the vessel put in at Boston and Cahota [sic] decided to try his luck in America. About nine years after his arrival in this country the Civil war was at its height and he joined the Twenty-third Massachusetts regiment. He served continuously in the army from 1863 to 1895, when he was retired from active service at Fort Niobrara, Neb., at his own request.
Boston Journal
(Massachusetts)
October 21, 1912
Cahota a Man Without Country
Chinese Veteran of Civil War Finds He Has No Civil rights.
Gloucester, Oct. 20.—Edward D. Cahota, a Chinaman, who came to Gloucester a boy, where he was reared as the son of Capt. S.S. Day, has been declared a man without a country.
After thirty years as a soldier in Uncle Sam’s service, which included the latter part of the Civil War, wherein he fought with Grant at Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Appomattox, he finds to his dismay that he cannot be a citizen unless Congress by special act shall so declare him.
Mr. Cahota is a Chinese. Until recently he supposed he was an American citizen. He has always exercised his rights as a voter, and had no doubt he was a full-fledged American. Recently, however, he desired to take up a homestead and filed at the government land office at Valentine, Neb., paid his filing fee of $14 and expected soon to take up his residence on the land.
The government officials, upon looking into the application, notified Cahota he is not a citizen of this country, could probably not become a citizen, and therefore could never prove up on his homestead. His $14 was returned, but he was informed that no court in this country could grant him citizenship papers.
While at a fort in South Dakota, Cahota married a young woman from Norway. Five children of that union are living. One of his sons is with him in the restaurant business at Valentine, Neb. One of his daughters was a school teacher in Cherry county, Nebraska, for a number of years, and is now a teacher in Wyoming.
Syracuse Journal
(New York)
November 1, 1912
Chinese 30 Years in Army Not a Citizen
Veteran Tries to Prove Homestead Claim and Discovers Special Act of Congress Necessary.
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 1.—After serving the United States for 30 years as a soldier and being retired on a service pension, Edward D. Cahota of Valentine, Neb., presents an illustration of a man literally without a country.
The Valentine Democrat
May 7, 1908
Boy Shoots Disturber.
At about 10 o’clock Saturday night Edward Cohota, of Valentine, a 17-year-old boy, heard someone rapping on the window of his rooms beside the Cohota restaurant. The rapping continued and Edward shot through the window, the bullet hitting the man in the hips. His name was Sam Bordeaut, a drunken half-breed Indian. The wound was not fatal.
July 2, 1908
E.D. Cahota [sic] has a genuine Teddy bear now in the shape of a young coon which he purchased in the country last Saturday.
September 24, 1908
Ed Cohota had another hemorrhage of a varicose vein in his ankle last week which crippled him up some but he’s able to be about.
October 1, 1908
Lucy Cohota handed in her books Tuesday evening and stated that she had to work in the restaurant at home. It is sad when such a good student is compelled to drop her work and especially since she has arrived at the age when her studies mean so much to her.
March 4, 1909
debate, Eddie Cohota
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
September 23, 1909
The high school met and organized a literary society….Ed Cohota, executive committee
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
December 2, 1909
R. Howe has leased the old City hotel of Ed Cohota and opened up for business last Friday.
Negative, Ed Cohota
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
March 3, 1910
Wanted: A middle aged woman and girl, or two girls, to cook and do restaurant work. Must understand restaurant work.
E.D. Cohota, Valentine, Neb.
Those who are to deny the proposition there are Helen Sparks, Edward Cohota and Lawrence Rice…
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
March 10, 1910
The U.S. history class was favored by two fine talks last Tuesday morning, one on books by Harold Yeast, and one on Mints by Edward Cohota.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
April 14, 1910
…Edward Cohota will argue the negative.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
April 28, 1910
School Notes
Edward Cohota
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
April 28, 1910
Valentine–Gordon Debate
Ed Cohota……800 points
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
October 20, 1910
Capt. Cohota says that if the gentleman to whom he loaned his army overcoat during the carnival last summer, doesn’t return it at once, he will be compelled to cause him some inconvenience.
December 29, 1910
Ed Cohota is home from the university to spend a few days.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
April 13, 1911
Ed Cohota and Lee Stillwell are home from the university to spend Easter vacation.
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
The Albany Evening Journal
(New York)
July 13, 1912
Chinese Veteran Retired.
E.D. Cahota [sic] holds the distinction of being the only full-blooded Chinaman who has ever been retired from the United States army with more than 20 years of service. Cohata [sic] was born in China in 1848 of poor parentage, says the Boston “Globe.” Because his family could hardly get enough food and clothing to keep him alive, he left home when five years old and shipped as a cabin boy on a vessel touching his home port. After visiting many foreign shores the vessel put in at Boston and Cahota decided to try his luck in America. About nine years after his arrival in this country the Civil war was at its height and he joined the Twenty-third Massachusetts regiment. He served continuously in the army from 1865 to 1895, when he was retired from active service at Fort Niobrara, Neb., at his own request.
The Watertown Herald
(New York)
July 20, 1912
Chinese Veteran Retired
E.D. Cahota [sic] holds the distinction of being the only full-blooded Chinaman who has ever been retired from the United States army with more than 30 years of service. Cohota was born in China in 1848 of poor parentage, says the Boston “Globe.” Because his family could hardly get enough food and clothing to keep him alive, he left home when five years old and shipped as a cabin boy on a vessel touching his home port. After visiting many foreign shores the vessel put in at Boston and Cahota [sic] decided to try his luck in America. About nine years after his arrival in this country the Civil war was at its height and he joined the Twenty-third Massachusetts regiment. He served continuously in the army from 1863 to 1895, when he was retired from active service at Fort Niobrara, Neb., at his own request.
Boston Journal
(Massachusetts)
October 21, 1912
Cahota a Man Without Country
Chinese Veteran of Civil War Finds He Has No Civil rights.
Gloucester, Oct. 20.—Edward D. Cahota, a Chinaman, who came to Gloucester a boy, where he was reared as the son of Capt. S.S. Day, has been declared a man without a country.
After thirty years as a soldier in Uncle Sam’s service, which included the latter part of the Civil War, wherein he fought with Grant at Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Appomattox, he finds to his dismay that he cannot be a citizen unless Congress by special act shall so declare him.
Mr. Cahota is a Chinese. Until recently he supposed he was an American citizen. He has always exercised his rights as a voter, and had no doubt he was a full-fledged American. Recently, however, he desired to take up a homestead and filed at the government land office at Valentine, Neb., paid his filing fee of $14 and expected soon to take up his residence on the land.
The government officials, upon looking into the application, notified Cahota he is not a citizen of this country, could probably not become a citizen, and therefore could never prove up on his homestead. His $14 was returned, but he was informed that no court in this country could grant him citizenship papers.
While at a fort in South Dakota, Cahota married a young woman from Norway. Five children of that union are living. One of his sons is with him in the restaurant business at Valentine, Neb. One of his daughters was a school teacher in Cherry county, Nebraska, for a number of years, and is now a teacher in Wyoming.
Syracuse Journal
(New York)
November 1, 1912
Chinese 30 Years in Army Not a Citizen
Veteran Tries to Prove Homestead Claim and Discovers Special Act of Congress Necessary.
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 1.—After serving the United States for 30 years as a soldier and being retired on a service pension, Edward D. Cahota of Valentine, Neb., presents an illustration of a man literally without a country.
He finds to his dismay that he cannot be a citizen unless Congress by special act shall so declare him one. His service includes the latter part of the Civil War, wherein he fought with Grant at Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Appomattox.
Cahota is a Chinese. Until recently he supposed he was an American citizen. He has always exercised his rights as a voter, and had no doubt he was a full-fledged American. Recently, however, he desired to take a homestead and filed at the government land office at Valentine, paid his fee of $14 and expected soon to take up his residence on the land.
The government officials, upon looking into the application, notified Cahota he was not a citizen of this country, could probably not become a citizen, and therefore could never prove up on his homestead. His $14 was returned and he was informed that no court in this country could grant him citizenship papers.
Macon Daily Telegraph
(Georgia)
November 3, 1912
Chinese 30 Years in Army, Not a Citizen
(same story as Syracuse Journal)
The Evening Standard
(Ogden City, Utah)
November 5, 1912
Chinese Wants to Be a Citizen
The Salt Lake Tribune
(Utah)
November 6, 1912
Chinaman Anxious to Become Citizen
The Abbeville Press and Banner
(South Carolina)
November 13, 1912
Chinaman Fights for Citizenship
The Largo Sentinel
(Florida)
November 14, 1912
Chinaman Fights for Citizenship.
Dakota County Herald
(Dakota City, Nebraska)
November 15, 1912
Washington, D.C.—Representative Kinkaid of Nebraska is preparing to present to congress when it reconvenes the case of Edward D. Cahota, a Chinese resident of Nebraska, who desires to be admitted to citizenship in spite of the Chinese exclusion law. Cahota is said to have served thirty years in the United States army, for which he is now drawing half pay in retirement and he is declared to have exercised the privilege of voting. He was declared not to be a citizen, however, when he sought to file on a homestead in Northwestern Nebraska.
Fair Play
(Ste. Genevieve, Missouri)
November 16, 1912
Macon Weekly Telegraph
(Georgia)
November 24, 1912
Voted Years, Finds He Is Not a Citizen
Left China as a Child, in U.S. Army 30 Years, Fought Under Grant and Is a Pensioner.
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 23.—After serving the United States for thirty years as a soldier, and being retired on a service pension, Edward D. Cohota of Valentine, Neb., presents an illustration of a man literally without a country. He finds to his dismay that he cannot be a citizen unless congress by special act shall so declare him. His service includes the latter part of the Civil War, wherein he fought with Gen. Grant at Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Appomattox.
Mr. Cahota is a Chinese. Until recently he supposed he was an American citizen. He has always exercised his rights as a voter, and had no doubt he was a full-fledged American. Recently, however, he desired to take a homestead and filed at the government land office at Valentine, paid his filing fee of $14 and expected soon to take up his residence on the land.
Courts Cannot Help him.
The government officials, upon looking into the application, notified Cohota he was not a citizen of this country, could probably not become a citizen, and therefore could never prove up on his homestead. His $14 was returned, but he was informed that no court in this country could grant him citizenship papers.
Cahota recalls that he left China when he was about five years old, and he cannot speak any of the Chinese dialects. His father was then dead, having been drowned in a flood of the Yangtse Kiang river. The little Chinese boy wandered down to the dock and was there picked up as an estray by an American sea captain, whose name was S.S. Day. This was about the year 1852. Capt. Day in his sloop sailed back around Singapore, Calcutta and the Cape of Good Hope to New York city. The captain’s home was Gloucester, Mass., and he took the Chinese boy with him, where he became a general favorite and was reared as Capt. Day’s son.
In 1864 Cahota, then about 17 or 18 years of age, enlisted in the Twenty-third Massachusetts regiment and immediately went into service under Gen Grant in his final victorious campaign. At the close of the Civil war he returned to his home at Gloucester, but in 1866 re-enlisted in the regular army and served continuously until his retirement thirty years later.
Aids an Old Friend
He remembers that on the trip from Shanghai to New York, he was treated very kindly by John Martin, who was first mate on Capt. Day’s boat. Years later, when Cahota was a private in the regular army and paying visit to San Francisco, he recognized in a roughly dressed man on the street his former benefactor, then in need and seeking a shelter. Cahota provided for the needs of his old friend and received in return his cordial blessing.
While at a fort in South Dakota, Cahota married a young woman from Norway. Five children of that union are living. One of his sons is with him in the restaurant business at Valentine, Neb. One of his daughters was a school teacher in Cherry county, Nebraska, for a number of years, and is now a teacher in Wyoming.
On a return visit to Valentine, Frank E. Edgerton, assistant attorney general of Nebraskan, talked with Cohota and he has taken the matter up with Senator Norris Brown, asking him to introduce a special bill in congress to grant citizenship. Cahota’s enlistment papers are regular, and his record is clean. He is a respected resident of Valentine, and its people almost unanimously will petition congress to act favorably in his peculiar case.
The Virginia Enterprise
(Virginia, Minnesota)
January 10, 1913
Veteran Is Not a Citizen
The Donaldsonville Chief
(Louisiana)
January 18, 1913
Veteran Is Not a Citizen
Tensas Gazette
(St. Joseph, Louisiana)
January 24, 1913
Veteran Is Not a Citizen
Omaha Daily Bee
December 3, 1913
Carrier Pigeons’s Long Flight.
The Red Cloud Chief
(Nebraska)
June 18, 1914
Wants to Become a Citizen.
Washington, D.C.—A Chinaman from Valentine, Edward Cohota, called upon Representative Kinkaid, seeking legislation to make him a United States citizen. Cohota has lived since childhood in this country, and has served thirty years as a soldier. During his residence at Valentine he has voted. He was finally challenged at the polls, and now seeks to become a citizen. He is on the retired list of the army.
The Alliance Herald
(Nebraska)
May 31, 1917
Memorial Day Services Wed.
The following composed the firing squad from Company L: …Cohota…
(Edward Day Cohota’s son)
Cohota is profiled in the National Park Service book, Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War.
(Next post: Edward Day Cohota, 1927–1929)
Cohota is profiled in the National Park Service book, Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War.
(Next post: Edward Day Cohota, 1927–1929)
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