The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-11-26
A Very Peculiar Trial.
AN AMERICAN IN CHINA ACCUSED OF ABB
DUCTI Nc A PRETTY NUN FROM BUD
HIST CONVENT.

AN AMERICAN IN CHINA ACtuSED VI hp-
DUC1I Nc A PRETTY NUN FROM BUD
HIST CoSvENT.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the
trial of J. Ii. Bennett, an American at Ming |
po, China, on the singular charge of abduct
ing nun from a Buddhist convent at Wenc- |
how. Bennett was employed as tide surveyor
of the Chinese customs at that port. His
post was on lonely island in the harbor'
He SAYS that Chinman named All IIee
proposed to get him wife, and suggested
handsome young nun in the convent
Bennett acceded, and All Hee, with his wife,
All Sing, formed plot to secure the girl.
With two companions they approached the
door of the convent and shouted "Fire." In
the confusion they entered the house and
carried off Chong Leng, the devotee, knock.
ing down the mother superior in the at
tempt. Binding the girl hand and foot they
delivered her over to Bennett. Information
of the outrage being carried to the Wenc'
how Taotai, the highest judicial officer of
the district, he lodged complaint before the
United States Consul at Shanghai, who in
structeI DR.. Lord, missionary and United
States Consnl at Ningpo, to proceed to
Wenchow on board the United States ship
Mononcacy, and investigate. Bennett was
summoned before Court composed OF Dr.
Lord and two officers and was found guilty.
Bennett appealed to Minister Seward, on the
ground of the unconstitutionality of the
| "a rta
was concluded on October 3rd last The
girl, Chong Leng, testified to the facts as
above aud to i'll treatment on the part OF
Bennett. She added that, after begging
Bennett by heaven and earth to release her
All Hee took her in his boat, on the fourth
day after her abduction, to the wharf near
the convent, and that she ran home. Ching
Fong, the superior, testified that when she
heard that Chopg Lepg was at a foreigner
house she went to the island and saw the de
feudant. At his front gate she bent her
head to the ground before him, and invoked
him by heaven and earth, and all the saints
in the Buddhist calendar to do good deed
and let Chong Lepg go. He told her: mo;
; I'll give you plenty Of dollars to live with,
but will keep Chong Leng.' She contin-
ued ~ told him, She helps me in my
old age TO get rice. have had her since she
was years old, sleeping on my arm; and
why did you spoil her name AID shame her
to the esrth?' He said, if you pay me $50
my expenses--you can have her back
I | said L have not had such sum in my
purse for years and again knocked my
head on the ground. Seeing he was hard
d ened, | went home and Informed the village
elders, who drew up a petition to the Wen
Z chow Taoai." For the deierse Bennett de
! nied any completely in the abduction. lie
: sa'd that the hoatman, All Hee, brought the
woman to him. and rs soun as he found ou
she tane from tie nunnery ordered her to b'
sent back. He endeavored TO prove, by
inca, "f proclamation, issued by the Chl
E nese tilci4ls that in the eleventh moon las
year all runneries were to be closed ant
poclaiming that the reason was because I'M
hGus, were residences of courtt zans and vic
=, inus women. Several of the young nuns wer'
n sod to residents at Wenchow for sums vary
K rg from $40 to $50 each he alleged, and hi
II handel a list of the girls names into Court
d He said, 81 merely told All Hee that if
IS liked the girl would keep her and pay hin
o IS for his fee. When found ! was il
y trouble informed the Commissioner o
Is Customs, Mr.. Mckay. He suspended mi
u and rep rted he affair to the Inspector.
e AN dismissed from the Customs and los
e $250O, which I am entitled to Bennett
e counsel j. j. Henderson, late United state
nsul NJ Annoy, complained that An iie
e had been kept with his legs in irons for 81
g months All Hee was in Court aud coul'
u not stand up to be eYsmined); he haH re
'e oeived 400 blows upon his thighs and lo
L blows npon hia isGe. The provincial Judg
'e at Hargehow had sentenced him 10 strangu
: la ion, the punishmt mt for abduction, an
l. the ta-dness in conformation by the Boar
N of Punishment at Prking was the only rea
m son why the decree hed not been carri.d ou
y Bennett WAS sent' need by the Court to b
10 imprisoned Tor year in the consular jail q
Is Shanghai anl to pay fine OF 5000. ID
IS COUNSEL gave notice of an appeal to tn
re United States Minister, and Bennett was ad
'e milt,d to bail iu the sun Of $500. 1t
le thought in China that the case Will 4
le nally fnd its way to the United States Su
preme Court.