The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-01-24
Shot and Killed While in a Chinese
Barber Shop.
The Jury Briber, Blackmailer and
Wealthy Boss of Chinatown Meets
His Fate at the Hands of an AS
sassin While Lying in Chair Get
ting Shave-The Murderer Under
Arrest.

SAN FRANClSCO, Jan. Ao--F OlIS
Ching, Familiarity known as Little Pete,
the boss of Chinatown, was foully muir
dered tonight. Two Chinese, Chin
Toy and Wing Sing, are held by the
police under suspicion of having COM
mitted the crime. Wong Lung, who
was a witness to the shooting, is de-
tanned as a witness against the Last
two men.
The shooting occurred in a barber
shop at S17 Washington street, the pro-
prietors of the place being Wong Kue,
Wong Chong and Ching Chung. These
men disappeared Immediately after the
murder, and have not yet been located
by the police.
About $40 o'clock Little Pete went
into the barber shop for the purpose of
being shaved and having his queue
plated, this being the custom which
he observed every Saturday night. This
fact was evidently known to the muir
derers, for when he was in a helpless
position, lying straight in the chair,
they appeared at the door, and without
word of warning began shooting.
The first shot missed its mark, and the
murderer advanced close to Little
Petes side, and before he could offer
any resistance fired two shots into his
brain. The first took effect about an
inch over the right eye, the second en-
tering the eye. The man then backed
from the shop, and as he reached tbs
door turned and fired a fourth time.
The murderer, accompanied by an
other man, ran hastily down Washing
ton street and at the corner Of Waverly
place dropped the weapon which he had
used with such murderouS accuracy.
The two men disappeared in a lodging
house at the corner of Washington
street and Waverly place, and half an
hour later were placed under arrest by
Sergeant Mooney and posse.
The killing of Little Pete created the
widest excitement in Chinatown. In
q few moments the street in front of
the place where the shooting occurred
was blocked by hundreds of Chinese
anxious to catch a glimpse of the man
whom they all feared. There were low
mutterings from the friends Of the
murdered man, and it looked for time
as though there might be more blood
shed. An extra force Of police was
sent to the scene, and after some diff
Guilty succeeded in dispensing the
crowd
In Little Pete's shoe factory, just
above where the shooting occurred, were
gathered half hundred angry Mongol-
ians. Ii was with difficulty that the
police were enabled to prevent their
making an open attack on the See
Yups, for Little Pete was Sam Yup
and a leader among his people. Just
above the factory was Little Pete's
home. He had wife and three chill
dren, and there was an affecting scene
when they were informed of the death
of the husband and father.
The murder of Little Pete seems to
be the elimination of the feud between
the Sam Yups and See Yups. Months
ago, when the See Yups declared a boy
colt against their business rivals, they
gave it out that Little Pete was re-
sponsible for it all. They We're angry
at his success at business, and did not
hesitate to say so. Several times since
this boycott was inaugurated there
have been small outbreaks in China
town, and in some way the trouble was
traced to Little Pete. It appears, how
ever, that in many instances this accu-
sation was without foundation in fact,
Little Pete'S unsavory character made
an excellent dumping ground for any
act unlawful
About five weeks ago Little Pete, who
Is not without his friends among the
See Yups, received warning that a
price had been set upon his head. He
was told that the See Yup Association
had offered $4,000 for the man who
would kill him. Acting on this unpleas-
ant hint, the Chinese secured a body
guard of three men, one being a China
town guide named William Andrews.
Wherever he has gone the men have
followed him, one being in advance, an
other by his side and the third walking
a few feet In the rear. Last night
Pete forgot the precaution. He walked
into the barber shop accompanied only
by Andrews, and just before seating
himself in the chair sent the latter on
an errand to some place on Suffer street
Scarcely had the bodyguard left when
the murde rers appeared in the shop and
began the shooting.
Sergeant Woolweber of the California
Police Station says that he was inform
ed some weeks ago of the threats
against Little's Pete's life. and had
taken such precautions as he could to
prevent it's execution.
little Pete's brother said tonight: II
am satisfied that my brother was muir
dered by the See Yups. He was told
some weeks ago that he had better look
ont and since then he has taken such
precaution as the circumstances would
permit. The ennity Of the See Yups is
due TO a raid made by the police on sew
eral Of their stores some weeks ago. The
See Yups claimed at the time that the
des br1ction of their property was due TO
the Influence of my brother. That, how
ever was not a fact, as ne never in any
way interefered with the business of
other. people. The Chinese Consul was
not friendly to us, though he always
pretended to be. / do not like to say it,
but IL seems very much as though he is
backing up the See Yups in their fight
against u.s.
Little Pete was the most crafty and
INSCRIPTIONS Chinaman who has ever
troubled the California authorities. He
seemed to be utterly devoid OF con-
science, and in his conception of fraud
and conspiracy he outsuipped all imi-
tators and competitors The brfbing of
jury was TO him diversion, the Illegal
landing of Chinese women was part of
mis- business, and the levy Of blackmail
a source of never failing income.
Those who should know place the for
tune of the dead man at S1.00o,0O0.
Others assert that $50, 1000 would be a
uberal estimate Of his possessions. 1t il