The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-05-06
A CHINESE SCRAMBLE FOR WIVES

A letter from San Francisco thus
describes the excitement that was oc-
cusioned among the Celestials by the
arrival there, recently, of a cargo of
women from China: Every China
man considered himself entitled to
wife, and determined to obtain her at
whatever cost. When the steamer
was coming up the harbor the news
spread like wild-fire through the Chi
nese quarter, and at once crowds of
their people started for the landing
Every possible means of conveyance
was in demand. The high-toned mer-
chants and head men, who were de-
termined to prevent their countrywo-
men from falling into the hands of
their brethren of lower caste, pro-
vided themselves with passes to the
dock, and went in hacks and on the
street cars; while hudreds of women
with umbrellas spread over their heads
crowded into express and baggage
wagons, and the regular "pirates," or
sanpans as they are called i'll China
hurried to the place on foot. At least
1,500 Cinnamon had assembled before
the steamer came in sight. Beyond
their internal pIomiscuous jabber the
crowd were quiet, until the steamer
came to her dock. AS none but the
merchants and head men who had
passes were allowed inside the gates,
the rest crowded up to the gates OF
dispersed along the wharves, lining
them away down to Main street. As
soon as the officers commenced land
ing tile women from the steerage the
excitement became intense, and it re-
quired large force to prevent them
from breaking down the gates. One
Chinaman made an assault upon an
officer, giving him a blow in the face
that brought him to the ground. AL
the boats in the vicinity were engaged
at high prices by parties to be rowed
to the side of the steamer, hoping by
that means to get access to the women
and it required strong measures to
prevent their boarding the vessel
After the boats were engaged, terri
BILE fight commenced as to who should
occupy them, and many who had paid
their passage were thrust back into
the crowd, and their place taken by
one who did not scruple to take a sail
ut another's expense. While this con,
fusion OH the outside was going on
the women were landed, to the mum
ber of 800, and placed in half a doZer
rows. The examination by the Gus
tom-house- officers (most of them
young men) was exceedingly interest
ing. Large quantities of opium were
discovered OH their persons, slowed
away in different places. When tht
search was completed, they wer'
slowed away in large express wagons
and conveyed to such places as th'
merchants and head men directed
An officer was placed in front, two OF
each side and one behind of each wag
on, each armed with heavy club, tt
bear off any love-smitten Oriental wht
might try to board it. 1t was al
amusing sight to see these wagons GO
ing ND the hill from the dock at tnl
speed, the officers swinging their clubs
at the hundreds of men who followed
jabbering at their disappointment at
the top of their lungs. By 5 o'clock
the woman were safely slowed away,
and under the strong protection of the
merchants and head men, who will
probably reship them to China by the
next steamer, or bind them over ~
servants in American families.