The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-25
ME- YUEN THE CAUSE.
Fight for Her Possession Led to
the Smuggling Cases.
CHINESE FACTIONS At WAR.
Thwsrted In Securing Control OF the
Woman. Seattle Chinese Exposed
Their Enemies' Scheme.

The arrest and trial of the smuggler, in
Portland illustrates the truth of the old
saying that IF you want 10 get at the bot
tom of case you must first seek the
woman" It is an interesting, though
imprinted fact, that Ne Yuen. Chinese
woman who was sold from this city to a
Portland Chinaman, was the innocent
canse of the wholesale arrest of both
Chinese and white men on charges OF
smuggling. 1t was often limited that
Cinnamon and opium were being con-
tinualiy smuggled into the United States.
but the treasury department. was unable
TO obtain any tangible proof against the
offenders. until the Portland and Seattle
factions of Cinnamon engaged in a feud
over Ne Yuen when, in revenge, one OF
the Cinnamon unbosomed himself to a
customs officer.
A member of Chinese firm in this city
brought Ne Yuen from China for immoral
purposes, but finding times hard and
money scarce, sold her. a Portland Chi
nese me reliant being the purchaser. The
price was 81 600, of " hich amount $500 was
cash and the other 500 on time. When
the 800 becAme due the Portland China
man declined 10 either pay the money or
return the woman. The injured China
man then went before United States Com
missioner Spriggs and made complaint,
charging the woman with larceny, and
Deputy United States Marshal D. W. West
went TO Portland to bring her back to Sc
attic. A great uproar was made about the
case by the Portland Cinnamon, and West
was arrested upon q charge of kidnapping,
tried. found guilty and imprisoned. while
the woman was set free. 1t was this Incl
dent that brought about the war between
the Portland and Seattle Cinnamon and
which later resulted in the exposure of
the smugglers.
Among Vests friends in this city was
d. A. Mckenzie, deputy collector of Gus
toms of the Puget sound district. Know
ing that West was the innocent dupe of
designing Cinnamon, he went to Portland
to secare his release, but to his surprise,
on arriving there be discovered that the
Cinnamon and certain officials of the
Portland custom house had gigantic
pull with the powers that be in Oregon,
and found fair means of no avail in secur-
ing the liberty of West. Owing 20 the
bitter feeling between the Seattle and
Portland Cinnamon, growing out of the
transaction about the woman. certain
Cinnamon here decided TO unbosom them
selves to the authorities. Mr.. Mckenzie
returned home, his visit being fruItle.s,
and was waited on by Chinaman, who
placed him in possession of the startling
evidence which has since been made pub
lie at the trial of the smugglers in Port
land.
Armed with this information Mr.. Nc
Kenzie Immediately returned TO Portland
and again demanded the release of West.
Gov. Pennoyer would have granted the
pardon but for the pressure of those high
in Office. and Mr.. Mckenzie demanded
that this pressure be removed and the gov
ernor allowed TO act without prejudice.
The Portland ring. considering themselves
strongly fortified. were not afraid of the
avalanche of Chinese testimony and defied
Mr. Mckenzie. In a short time, Mr..
Mckenzie laid the whole matter before
special agent of the treasury. and
the result was Wholesale arrest of
customs house authorities and China
men, commencing with Special Treasury
Agent c. ]. Mulkey, brother-in-law of SEN
ator Dolph, of Oregon. and running down
the line TO James Lotan, the collector OF
customs of the Portland district, and con-
Guiding with Seid Beck, the Chinese mill
ionaire of Portland.
Ii will be remembered that as soon as il
began to be noised about that Mr.. McKen-
zie was exposing the gang, West was par
doned. but the fuse had been ignited and
the explosion came ali too soon for the
comfort and peace of mind OF the parties
accused.