Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1885-11-06
A HEATHEN'S COURAGE.
An Incident From the Records OF
the Colorado Riots.
Lee, n Fleeing ChinamAn- Saving the
Life and Property OF n Wealthy
Eanchman.
denver NewA1

lDtnNtr NtN6l
The dark days OF the riots cam, on.
Celestials were hiding in every concoiv-
able place, sOIns OF them breaking for the
prairies and open country or seeking
refuge at the ranches OF farmers within
doEsn miles Of the city. Among the fu-
gitives was Ching Lee, with his place OF
business sacked and destroyed and
bowling mob huating him down. He
sought hiding place I'm the wagon of
farmer living near Golden. Fearing al
most to breathe, the terrif Celestial lay
Il It In the bottom OF the wagon until the
barn OF Goldsmith, the ranchman, was
reached. The latter, all unsusT Getting OF
-tao-liviug freight he had brought from
town, unhitched, fed and cared for his
horses, and went into the hosss. Ching
lay very quiet, listening to the retreatIng
footsteps Of the farmer. These had hard
ly died away before his quick ears caught
other sounds, evidently comm. from the
corner Of the barn. Ching had pretty
well mastered the English language, and
understood only too well the meaning OF a
Whispered convers sation evidently be-
tween two men conceal ed in the hay loft.
"Shp said a voice, "he Is not in the
house"
I'D you think he brought muci money
back with himf' asked another voice.
Yes, be took a great deal Of stun
In town, aud, besides, heard him say
that, on account OF the riots, he woul
draw his money out OF the bank, as it
would he safer at home"
Covering down in the wagon, the
Chinaman never moved until he saw in
the dim twilight the figures Of two men
steaithIly making their way through a
small door cut Ia the large barn door.
which they softly closed behind them.
No sooner were they out OF sight than
Ching Isaped quickly from the wagon.
aud noiseles5ly pIs3el through the little
wicket, keeping, however. in the shadow
OF the barn; and then crawling on his
hands and knees across the open space.
he arrived At o c ump of bushes near the
house. He saw one Of the ruffians slow.
ly raising one Of the lattices, while the
other stood behind him with a large re-
volver cooked, AMI with his finger
ON the trigger. L.iug on the
ground near him Ching saw a
pieco Of heavy wood. evidently used as
the handle Of pump which wa, N var by.
Seizing this with both hands, he rose
from his crouching position aud deal the
robbtr near,s. him q terrible blow ON the
head, fellin; HIM to the ground. At the
same IN Dmsnt tn re was a n lsh an a re-
port, aud the second robber fell to the
ground with Groan. For .mome II all
was quiet; then the back door of the
hous, was open5d, and the farmer cnu-
tiously appro- che with the still smokinr
y stol in his aud. Seeing Ching in the
moonl ght which now Illuminated the
scene, he cover a him with the pistol. A.
this momen, he caught sight of the two
Trosirate rob crs "Wh1 are Won. and
what do you want?' he aske !, addressing
Ching. "Me Chinauan. Bad NJ M,lican
man killee you aud take money!" said
Ching, pointing TO the men, who wers BE-
ginning to snow life.
How did you get tie o'' asked GolI-
smith.
Me hid, in your wagon; come from
Deuver."
Gradually tho situation diwnsd upon
The Tar ner, an |, seeing thu cub which
was still < 'us 20 by Cuing aud its terri
bic effect on one Of the ruiIilu hs r, a =
I'D that the Chinaman had largely con-
tr'bu,ei tow Ird saving his r jperty, and
perhaps his life, Rs it was the IL wv from
his club and the cry OF his victim as he
fell which had a'trac.ei $ attelt tion and
caused him TO shoot at the other bur ;lar.
With the aid OF Ching the two men
were securely bouid, IL frat having been
ascertalned that neither OF them wers
dlngerously wounded They were taken
60 the c ~, and In due course OF time
tried, convicted and sentenced to ten
years In Cauy IN Penitentiary. Odd
smith offered, in his grati,uds. home to
Ching, who. tired OF the persecu ions aud
terrors of the city. acc pied the Off ,r. and
Is to-day one OF the best and most expe-
rienced farmers AMI fruit growers in the
country, bsing permanent fixture at the
Cfoilsm!th Raoci-