The morning call., 1891-09-12

Phelps, and Collector Of Internal Revenue,
J. G. Quinn, as well as the deputies in both
departments and the Special Agency or the
Treasury, looked with suspicion on Special
Revenue Agent Thomas as being the forger
of his own name. This rumor was bruited
until through oft repeating it became an
accepted truism and Agent Thomas was
placed with the burden of proof on his side.
At last Wong Gee On made verbal confess
sion on the promise to Special Agent Evans
that he would not be prosecuted, and it was
this assurance that nullited his confession
and brought about his final release without
proceedings being instituted against him.
This turned the drift of rumors from
Thomas. He was indicated. but his vindi-
cation did not satisfy the officers, as the ru-
mored white man." or "Ah Cow" as
Wong Gee On called him. was still undls-
covered. Ali this time Deputy Inspector
C. 7. Simon. at whose house Lee Gee had
been arrested was exceedingly Jealous in
ferretlng out the frauds. Some said he
was overzealous, but be that as it may, his
zeal caused him to be suspected in turn.
Search was made OF his record. His foot
steps throughout Chinatown were followed.
Theft after theft were found to have been
perpetrated in raids on Chinese stores where
he was present as an Inspector.
He was called before an investigating
committee composed OF District Attorney
Garter, Special Agents Evans and Eldridge,
Collectors Phelps and Quinn and detectives.
sble connection with the frauds as their
originator. What their finding was has not
been made public, though it was presum-
ably in his favor, as he was not dismissed
from the service. However, the work of
sitting the frauds did not cease, and it
promises to be more lively now that Wong
Gee On is accessible by the pres and all
interested in ferreting out Chinese opium
frauds.
Wong Gee On was visited last evening at
l. 60 20 ctr Nv
reporter. lie talked freely and seemed in
the best of spirits over his release. He told
the story of the forgeries in connected
manner and threw several side lights on the
affair that will soon become matter of de-
partmental investigation, as his story as
stated last night in the presence of several
witnesses will be sent by Consul-General
LII Wing You to the Chinese Minister, who
will ia turn submit it 10 the department at
Washington.
He said he was induced to make the for
geries, 5000 in all, by Lee Gee. He COM
menced work in July, and it took from
twelve to fou rteen days to practice up and
finish the lot. He then delivered them to
Lee Gee. For this stupendous forgery he
received So thousand, or rather was to re-
ceive. as he has not yet been paid. He said
that at first he hesitated to write the stamps,
but that n banquet was rendered him at
Wing Lungs place, 707 jackson street,
store in which Lee Gee was partner. The
rest of the story is best given in his own
words:
"when Lee Gee and l were arrested we
were taken to Special Agent Evans room "a
In the Appraisers Building There we were
shut in with Mr.. Simon while Mr.. Evans
was out. Lee Gee and Simon seemed on
int mate terms. Lee Gee said: You say
Mr.. Thomas gave you the rubber stamps
and the samples. and that you did the for
geries for him. Say he gave them in front
of the photograph gallery, 500 Stockton
street. at night and that a few days after
you delivered 5000 of them to him.
" 1 hesitated; was afraid. Then, Mr..
Thomas did il FIJI send you to jail Then
promised to say it, Then MIR. Simon said:
Turn all the evidence against Mr.. Thomas
or we'll put You in jail Then he turned to
Lee Gee and said: Tell Wong Gee On to
August 21st, and not Wednesday, for Thomas
was up in the country then and the story
wont stick Lee Gee told me this in Chi
nese. but understood Simon's English"
AS matter of fact, Agent Thomas had
been in the country and had returned the
day before late in the evening. He had
been at Shasta, where lie made one of the
largest seizures of opium ever made in the
interior, but up to the moment this alleged
conversation took place the fact of his alb
sence from the city was not known outside
of his and the Internal Revenue depart
ments.
Wong Gee On also gave the additional in
formation that Simon made his headauar-
tiers at Wing Lungs store, where he was
banqueted and induced by Lee Gee to make
the forgeries. He has his headquarters now
most Of the time in a subterranean rookery
at 36h Waverly place.
In the report from the Chinese Consul
General to his superior at Washington will
be several cases of thefts of opium and
money during raids by the Government In
spectOrs in Chinatown. Three of these
have not been made public in the press.
The firm of Tsue Chong Wing, 7l5 Com
mercial street, claimed to THE CALL re-
porter last night that Simon stole five-tael
can of Hong Kong opium in morning raid
few days since.
Hoo Lung, the Washington street Theater
door-keeper, who resides at S1l Clay street,
claims that Deputy Inspectors Simon aud
Favor made a raid in neghboring cigar
shop, then broke down the door of his room
during his absence and stole a $40 gold
niece.