The New York herald., 1879-03-18
A CELESTIAL PUZZLE.
Where. Oh Where. Are the
Chinese Children?
"NO TIME FOR GABBEE. "
Successful Search in Gotham for
a Monaghan Baby Girl.

There said to be 1900 Chinese In this city. and
alaundryman Of that nationality residing in Harlem
is represented claiming that there less than
5000 Of his people living here. But he is without
doubt wrong IN his reckoning. Some assert that the
number is less than 1000. However that may be.
the recent discussion of the Anti-Chinese bill has
shown that the disciples Of Confucius do not want
for friends in New York. Merchants and clergymen
have alike claimed for them any quantity of good
points. They have been put forward as hard
working. frugal and harmless people. with love of
learning and desire to be baptized. But when poor
John is hooted by hoodiums and despised by the
great mass of those with whom he mixes. what bet
ter it is asked could he do than leave his wife at
home, make money here and then return to his
native land? And that is what he does. OF all the
Chinese here howmany of the gentler sex? Has
Chinese woman.ever been seen in the city? and If
go, where are theChinese children?
The following letter received few days since
at the HERALD ofice:-
To rrrx sEDrroR OF TUE HRRALp:-
Don't you think it would be Interesting topic.
to what the Chinese IN DO
Offspring OF Chinese and Irish nqas TAR as know
there is Chinese girl in New York Chinadom.
THE SEARCH BEGUN
This letter intimates three things. First, that
there married Chinese in this city; second that
do away with their girls. In what way-by sale or
by infanticide? To this question reporter in
structcd to find answer, and his Investigations
were begun at once. Captain Petty. Of the Fourth
precinct, first called upon He read the letter.
but could throw little light the subject. "Of the
Chinese" he said 'I know but little. There is but
district in my precinct inhabited by them-that
is in Baxter street, this side of Worth street They
live in the of large tenement house. and their
children at all, either male female. Most of the
Chinese live with white women and are quiet and
orderly. The Fourteenth precinct contains great
many more than mine.
Captain Brogan Of tho Fourteenth precinct, when
questioned. seemed to know less about the mat
ter than did Captain Petty, He couldn't tell any,
thing about the their habits except that they
gave no trouble.
"Go down among them and ask the men them
selves. Some Of them speak good English, and can
tell you all about it."
:Thank you. No doubt S,ey cam"
1t seemed rather strange that of this race both
captains knew little. It was growing dark when
the reporter passed down Mott street. picking his
way through mud and noisy urchins and groups of
men and women smoking and,chattng at their doors.
Between Chatham and Pell streets he found cluster
of Chinese habitations. Almost every other door
bore the name of Yet Sing Mong Kee Wah Long or
Sam Lee. guarded on either side with uncouth Chi
characters. In the midst of this colony is the
Catholic Church of the TRANSPORTATION. The re-
porter called upon OF the priests ut his house.
close by, and the Clergyman said:-
" Some OF the Chinese children whose mothers or
fathers are Catholics attend our church. have
Chinese child with both parents Of Chinese
origin; but have seen both girls and boys having
Q Chinese father and an American. Irish English
mother. There numbers of Chinese in this
neighoorhood some of whom speak English well.
They will have no objection Lam sure. to
The reporter then tried to. interview some of the
laundry men and bea mercharrts Through the dusty
windows of kerosene lighted apartments the Chinese
man and brother was seen IN large numbers, indus
triously at work. was six O'Clock the writer
tapped q door outside OF which the name
Wo Kee. There was rustic within. the door half
opened and the almond eyes of Mongolian stared
posed him TO be-wss eating vigorously. His mouth
was well filed but whether with rats or rice not
apparent.
Good evening. John"
"What you wantY'
81 would like to talk with you," began the re-
porter trying to get into the ROOM but wo Kee
held on to the door and ntcrposed his angular face
and body.
"Me oatee," he said. me habbee dinner. Mo no
time for gabbee. Down stairs You find talkee."
Then he forcbly closed the door. while chorus Of
gutturals went up from his friends within.
The reporter could not find ''talkee" down stairs.
Clinarnan. who came nurrying up tho Street.
How DO you do, JohnT
81 wou!a like to ask you-"
There was tiow of Chinese language on the part
Of the not-to-be-intervewed gentleman, wave OF
she hand and the reporter stood alone.
A call was then made upon Mr.. L. A. Van Rhyn. Of
No So3 East Twelfth street. whose wife is of the
managers OF the Chdrens Aid Society and especially
interested in the Italian school in Leonard street
BY missionary visits among the parents and patrons
families of Cinnamon and Irish women. ..She has
occasionally. said Mr.. Van Rhyn, found
Chinese boy. but a Chinese girl-that is, of
mixed parentage: She has asked a great many Of
the four hundred pupils who live in the Chinese dis
trict II they have ever seen Chinese girl, but
OF them ever have. or course these Italian little
ones arc ON the street constantly and mix with
children of other nationalities. II there were any
girls OF Chinese fathers and Irish English
mothers they would be to know OF 1t. My
idea Is that these couples continue their national
practice here of doing away with female infants. III
50 with you through this Chinese quarter in search
OF q Chinese girl"
Sir. Van Rhyn and the reporter started.down into
Baxer street together and No. IA they asked if
any Chinese lived in tlSo neighborhood
Yes. said dealer in secondhand clothing.
,"there was family dot live under the rear"
A long. dark, III hoored hall entered and after
two sharp descents into mud paddles and creeping
porter and his companion emerged into miserable
back yard They retracod their steps, knocked at
yard up another pair of rotten wooden staies down
M inclined hallway and opposite the proper door,
an"
AN uNoBTHrsrvK HUSBAND
IT was small room, and vile smelling kerosene
lamp shed but a dim light on the nearest Objects
Curiod upon bed lay Chinaman smoking opium
and hlling the atmosphere with the fumes of his
pipe. Standing by the bedside was what appeared
70 be Chinese woman. She had the complexion,
the look the ways OF one. but in excellent English
she Ea4d Good evening""
.nood evening. We camesto see how you Fsve here
This is you husbandr
"Yee."
'.how long have you beens married?'
About twcnty-thrco yegrs- / an English
woman. married him in London. We have had
two cnldren--one boy and girl. They arc both
grown up The boy Is in China learning to be in
torpreter the girl Is in California. We have no
younger children"
She offered chairs 20 bor visitors. answered their
Questions willingly and widon they departed followed
70 tue door anu held t,opcn so that they might
their way more clearly. Her husband said nothing
the presence OF strangers.
hvo Cinnamon fo und One of the number
spoke fairly good bnglt sh. Ho showed the reporter
where he and his companions slept. and explained
that ho kopt sort Of poarlnr housc. Tho hnardcra