Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-03
CHING LEE.
A Colorado Chfnaman Who Saved the
Life Of Farmer.
Denver News

OuluS LSe, WAS one OF those CeleS-
tials who came to this country before
the passage of the Chinese immigra-
ton act. Tired of the prosecutions of
his countryu1en Ia San Francisco.
he starte1 on an Eastern pilgrimage,
arriving In Denver In the spring of
1880, shortly before the Chinese riots.
CHING, like others of his compatriots,
adopted the profession of a laundry
man, locating on Sixteenth near
Wazee street. He was typical Mon
golian-his almond eyes had the prop
er lnclinatloD and his pigtail the
proper length and number of plaits.
The dark days of the riots came on.
Celestlals were hiding in every con
ceivable place, some of them breaking
for the prairies and open country or
seeking refuge at the ranches OF farra
ers within dozen miles of the city.
Among the fugitives was Ching Lee,
with his place Of business sacked and
destroyed and a bowling mob hunt
ing him down. 1t was no wonder
that he sought a hiding-place, which
ne found IN the wagon of fan mer
living near Golden. Fearing almost
to breathe, the terrified Celestial Law
fiat ia the bottom of the wagon until
the barn of Goldsmith, the ranchman
was reached. The latter, all unsus-
pectlng Of the living freight he had
brought from town, unhltched, fed,
and cared for his horses, and went in
to the house. Ching lay very quiet,
listening to the retreating footsteps of
the farmer. These had hardly died
away before his quick ears caught
other sounds evidently coming from
the corner of the haystack. Ching
had pretty well mastered the English
language and understood only too
well the meaning of a whispered con-
versation evidently between two men
concealed ia the hay>loft.
'"Sh," said a voice, she is not in
the house yet"
'Do you think he brought much
money back with him2" asked anoth-
er voice.
Eyes, he took great deal of stuff
in town with him, and, besides
I heard him say that on account of
the riots he would draw his money
out of the bank, as it would be safer
at home"
Ching listened to this conversation
and understood perfectly it's dreadful
import, but what could he, a poor.
despised heather do, to avert the
threatened crime? Covering down
in the wagon, the chinaman never
moved until he saw in the dina twi-
light the figures of two men stealthily
making their way through small
door cut In the large barn door, which
they softly closed behind them. No
sooner where they out of sight than
Ching leaped quickly from the wag>
on, and nolselessly passed through
the little wicket, keeping, however,
In the shadow of the barn, then crawl
ing on his hands and knees across the
open space, he arrived at a clunap of
bushes near the house.
Watching with the eyes of a hawk.
ne saw one of the rufhans slowly rails
ing one of the lattices, while the other
stood behind him with a large revol-
yer cooked and with his finger on tbs
trigger. Lying on the ground near
him Ching saw piece of heavy wood,
evidently used as the handle of pump
which was near by. SEEING this with
both hands he rose from his crouching
position and death the robber nearest
him terrible blow on the head, fell
ing him to the ground. At the same
moment there was a flash and a re-
port, and the second robber fell to the
ground with groan. For moment
all was quiet; then the back door of
the house was opened, and the farmer
cautiously approached with the still
smoking pistol in his hand. Seeing
Ching IN the moonlight which now
the scene ne covered him
with the pistol. At this moment he
caught sight of the two PROSTATE rob
bers. ''Who are you, and what do
you want?" he asked, addressing
Ching. me Chinaman. Bad Mclean
man killee you and take money" said
Ching, pointing to the men, who were
beginning to show life.
Glow did you get there9" asked
Goldsmith.
me hide in your wagon; come from
Denver"
Gradually the situation dawned
upon the farmer, and seeing the club.
which was still grasped by Ching, and
its terrible effect on one of the ruff
fans, he realized that the Chinaman
had largely contributed toward saving
his property and perhaps his life. as It
was the blow from his club and the
cry of its victim as he fell which had
attracted his attention and caused him
to shoot at the other burglar.
With the aid of Ching the two aaen
were securely bound, it first having
been ascertained that neither of them
was dangerously wounded. They
were taken to the city, and in due
course of time tried, convicted, and
sentenced to ten years in Canon pen
itentiary. Goldsmith offered in his
gratitude q home to Ching, who. tired
of the prosecutions and terrors of the
city, accepted the kind offer. and is
to-day one Of the best and most ex-
pelienced farmers and fruit growers
in the country, being a permanent
fixture at the Goldsmith ranch.