The herald., 1897-01-24
Leaves a Legacy of Wealth and
Vengeance
"LITTLE PETE" MURDERED
Presumably BY Highbinders Hired to Do
the Job
The Most Influential and the Crooked
est Heather on the Coast
Has Departed

SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 23-Little
Pete. the most noted Chinese in Sar
| Francisco, was murdered by his coun-
| trymen in Chinatown tonight. He was
sitting in chair in a Chinese barber
shop when three Chinese entered and
shot him, inflicting wound from the
effects of which he died in short time
The murderers We're arrested. The muir
der is the outcome of a quarrel between
two of the Chinese Six companies, and II
is supposed that the murderers are high
binders, hired to do the job.
Little Pete" has had a varied and re-
markable career in San Francisco, and
for years has been the most influential
Chinese in this part of the country
Whenever any of his countrymen were
in trouble, Little Pete was always called
upon to help them out, and he achieved
a reputation for jury fixing that almost
landed him in the penitentiary. He was
at the head of the business of import
ing Chinese women for immoral purpo-
ses and waxed wealthy. Little Pete, al
though he spoke English fiuently, re-
tanned his Chinese dress as matter OF
policy. He controlled many of the
gambling dens in Chinatown, and his
ItNtilut6 ltOlIt that SoulCt were
He was an all-round sport, and no game
was too stiff for him. He played the
races heavily, and made some big Win
nings. He was so successful in pick
ing winners that about year ago the
race track people became suspicious
and 1t was found that he had number
of Jockeys in his employ. Little Pete
was ruled off the turf, together with
the dishonest jockeys.
in oId tn htc ~ lar
cupations, was proprietor of a shoe fac
tory, which did business under the name
of f. c. Peters & Co.
Little Pete, or Fong Ching, his Chinese
name, went down stairs from his place
of business on Washington street about
3 o'clock and entered Wong Lungs bar
Der shop. He was shaved and was hav-
ing his queue braided. when suddenly
four shots were fired. One struck him in
the temple and another over the eye.
and he died instantly. The police heard
the shots and saw two Chinese running.
They followed and found Wing Sing and
Chin Cooy in a lodging house. They,
with Wong Lung, the barber, We're ar
rested. Chin Cooy denies that he did the
shooting. He says that he came from
Potland, Ore, three weeks ago, where
he worked as a cook. He says he was
sitting in his room when Wing Sing
ran in and asked if he might rest. Then
the police came and arrested him.
Little Pete belonged to the Sam Yup
company, of which he was a leading
spirit The Sam Yups, composed OF
merchants, quarreled with the See
Yups; who are laboring men, and it is
supposed assassins We're hired by the
See Yups to commit the murder. The
murdered man knew he had been
marked for slaughter, and for years had
travelled with a body guard This man
was with him when he entered the bar
Der shop, but Little Pete sent him out
for a newspaper, and the murderers,
who were watching, took advantage of
the opportunity. Little Pete was once
convicted of jury bribing and served a
term in the penitentiary. He it was who
gave Chris Buckley. for many years a
power in local politics. his name of the
Blind White Devil. Little Pete had many
friends in Chinatown. and it is a certain
ty that his murder will be avenged.