Wichita eagle., 1890-02-04
Il WOH'S CAPTURE BY BANDITS.
The Fine American Blun Which Saved
Both His Reputation and His Money.

Until a year ago Ii Woh was a sue
cessful Chinese merchant, who,'by dint
Of hard work and econsmy, had saved
up quite respectable sum for 4 China
man. About eight months ago he
thought he would take trip across the
briny and visit his beloved small footed
wife. He has just returned, and is now
engaged at 10 Mott street, taking life
easy and recovering from his scare. In
telling the story Ii Woh said that when
he went home he wanted to make a good
impression, and he succeeded beyond his
fondest hoDes-
As soon as he arrived in Hong Kong
he went to first class tailor and had
himself fitted out with the finest of
blouses and the best of trousers. His
clothes, with the Bowery. diamonds
which We're prominently displayed
where they would do the most good,
made quite a Chinese dude of him.
When he made his appearance in the
little near by town where his relations
lived the people thought he was million
aire, and they would not have been sur
visit the emperor and put up S100, 900 or
so to help out the new railroad scheme.
Woh did not have occasion to spend
much of his money, because admiring
friends insisted upon entertaining him.
They scattered Chinese red paint all over
the town, and lived SO rapidly that the
New York merchant had To stop to get
his breath. One night he left the crowd
in the midst of their revels and went
home to get good rest. He had just
fallen asleep, and was dreaming about
the big booted, blond haired girls of
America, when the door was burst open,
and in rushed about thirty able bodied
masked men.
1t was surprise party, and not very
pleasant one. Before Woh could speak
a word big wad of cotton was thrust
into his mouth, his eyes were bandaged,
and he was carried out into the cool
midnight breezes. He tried to make a
noise, but only produced a gurgling
sound away down in the bottom of his
throat. His wife made a good deal Of
noise, but she could not follow the men
on account of her small feet. The viii
lage was a small one, and the few neigh
bors who were brought to their door by
the disturbance were afraid to come 10
the rescue, because they recognized the
men, VINO were armed to the teeth, as
members of the famous band of robbers
of the Heon Son mountains nearby.
For several hours he was carried along,
the men taking turns, until at last they
came to small brick farm house near
the foot of the mountains. When they
were safely inside they united the band
age and took the cotton out of Woh's
mouth. It was then almost daylight.
AS soon as the captive could see he
recognized one of the mon as Woon,
shiftless fellow who had borrowed money
FROM him. He was probably the inform
er of the bandits. The door was locked,
and the ringleader told Ii Woh heshoCld
be released as soon as he had given up
sum amounting N American money TO
s.. coo. This would have 70 be delivered
within three days, or Mrs. Ii would re-
ceive her husbands head on platter On
the fourth morning. II would have been
useless to have told them that he did not
have 50 much money, although it was
fact, for all be had was $500, which was
hidden in a corner of his room at home
So Ii Woh thought that he would give
them al American bluff. In telling |