The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-08
SLIPPERY SAM YICK.
A Slick Chinese RObber, who Started
For the Orient in a Box.

FOr the Orient in a Box.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
If Sam Yick will apply for 1t, he can
easily obtain from the postal authorities
diploma for being the subtlest celestial
they have ever had to deal with.
For weeks he robbed the mails without
detection, for ten months he evaded the
active search that was made for him, and
finally he had himself boxed up as freight.
and right under the very eyes of customs
and postal officials shipped aboard a Chi
nese steamship and so safely reached the
Flowery Kingdom. where the little matter
of forgery and robbng the United States
mails do not count against a mans So
cial standing or put him in jeopardy of
San Quintin.
Sam Yick came to this country early In
life. He attended the public schools of
this city, and by the time he was 20 years
old was accounted one of sthe shrewdest
and most capable young Chinese in Chin
atown. He became a member Of the well
known butcher firm of Men, Yick & Co.
and was looked upon as a rising young
business man and one of the pillars of his
tong.
In the early part of 1896 series of
postofiice robberies was committed which
baffied the keenest investigat ions Of the
postal inspectors. A postoffice employe
was suspected. but he was able to clear
himself, and the mystery seemed insolu-
bic. Letters containing drafts, money or
ders and currency, directed TO number
of Chinese and even to one or two Ameri-
can firms, which were ri1ed of their con-
tents somewhere after they were placed
in the postoffice and before they reached
their destination. Success made Sam
Yick vain and boastful, and he told a
friend of his misdeeds. An attempt was
made to arrest him on the night of Jan.
II, 1896, but Yick was warned Just In time
and escaped over the roofs with the OFF,
GERS in hot pursuit From the investiga-
tons made at the time 1t was found that
he had In some manner secured keys 10
the postoffice boxes of the firms he
robbed, and. with daring and audacity al
most unparalleled, he took the mail from
the boxes. riaed 1t OF its valuables, and
converted these to his own use. OF course.
this made forgery necessary, but Yick had
not gone 20 school TO no purpose. lie
was an adept with the pen, and inflated
both Chinese and English chirography
with skill. II is said that the net results
OF his felonles during the few weeks he
was engaged In IL were at least 1900.
When suddenly FORCED 10 leave hts bed
20 escape the officers he made his way to
the interior Of the state somewhere and
remained concealed for about ten months.
At the end or that time friend made up
his mind to go 10 China, and Yick con-
cluded to go with him, but he IVES so
well known and the postal authorities
were so active in the search for him that
he did not dare risk any ordinary dis
gulses Even TO attempt 20 get 20 San
Francisco was attended with danger. IN
this predlcament he had himself boxed
up and shipped by rail TO this city. Here
he was entered az the custom house FOR
export as freight and put aboard one OF
the outgoing steamers
When safely out az sea his friend, who
was aboard as one Of the passengers. help
ed him 20 get out Of his packing case. and
he made tho rest Of the trip In comfort
But Just how his friend managed 10 sec
that tho box was Kept right side up with
care while Il WAS being handled In the
process OF shipment. and WIS not slowed
away IN the lower part Of the hold with
tons aud tons Of freight on top Of him. ls
one OF the mysteries that has not yet
been cleared up. u seems. however. that
he ava. FOR word has been received that
he arrived safely on che other side. and
rs now drinking tea and eating birds nesta
with rire in Canton in the elegant leisure
his $1,000 affords him.