The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-25
THE HIGHBINDERS' WAR.
Little Pete's Friends yowing Ven
Eeance on the See Nups-Six
Cinnamon Arrexted

OF Little Pete, the boss OF Chinatown, who
was shot by highbinders last night. has
created a sensation here. Little Pete was
a power in San Francisco among both
whites and Chinese. In many respects he
was a remarkable man. He was born in
China about thirty-two years ago. and
came 10 this country when ) years old.
His first employment was as errand boy
IN a shoe store. where he earned SO a
month. He was ambitious and attended
night school for several years. He then
got a position as interpreter for firms
doing business with the custom house.
he saved little money and started a
small shoe mandatory. The business
grew. and at the time Of his death the
factory was one of the largest in San
Francisco. IL is known that Little Pete
had sl0e.eo0 invested in China, and his
fortune is estimated at from $4,000 TO
$500, coo Little Pete. or Chong Fong, which
was his Chinese name. is credited with
having organized the first highlander So
ciety in San Francisco. he got together
some years ago all the desolate Chinese
and criminals he could find. and under
his direction they levied tribute on China
town. Little Pete getting most of the
money. He was very successful in secur-
ing his adherents from punishment by
law. but finally got into trouble. He was
charged with attempting to bride two
policemen. and was convicted and SEN
fenced to Ave years in prison. The SUI
preme court, however, granted him new
trial and ne was acquitted.
The murdered man was credited with
being at the head of every shady trans
action In Chinatown. He owned gambling
dens and brothels. and landed many Chi
nese Illegally. He was a true gambler.
and the game was not known that he
could not beat. His brief but lucrative
campaign at the race track surprised
everybody. Two years ago Little Pete
commenced TO play the races. At first
he bet legitimately. but found he could
not win fast enough. He soon found
means TO work sure thing, however.
Three OF the best Jockeys at the track
were secretly in his employ, and the Chi
nese plunger commenced to win heavily.
He Is credited with having cleaned up
500 go before his scheme was discovered.
and he with his Jockeys were ruled off
the turf.
The murder was undoubtedly the result
OF bitter quarrel between the Sam Yup
and See Yup companies. Little Pete was
the leading spirit or the Sam Yups, COM
posed OF merchants. The See Yups, COM
prising the laboring element, declared a
boycott against the Sam Yups. and a war
OF determination commenced. Murders
have been frequent. and generally the vic
tins were See Yup men. These crimes
were credited 10 Little Pete's influence.
ana the See Yups set a price on his head.
Three thousand dollars was the amount
offered. and a proclamation TO that effect
was posted in Chinatown. Little Pete was
on his guard and for months never went
about unprotected. Last night. however.
he sent his bodyguard out for a news
paper while he was being shaved, and
the murderers, who were on the watch.
seized the opportunity and did their work
Six Chinese have been arrested for the
crime, but it is extremely unlikely, even
IL the policemen have got the right men,
| that they can secure their conviction
Little Pete has many friends, and already
they are vowing vengeance. An extra
force Of police has been detailed to main
tain order in Chinatown. but even their
presence. it is feared. viii not restrain the
warning classes.
Probably the most uncertain man IN
town is King Owyang. the vice-consul. He
knows that ne, too. has been marked for
murder. and. with Chinese stoicisn. he is
calmly awaiting the end. King Owyang
IS a graduate OF Yale and for several years
! nc has been vtce-c0rsul NJ this port for the
| Chiuese government. He has been active
in trying to maintain order in Chinatown.
and has sided with the sam Yups IN the
fight against the See Yups. Although no
I price has been publicly set on owyang' =
/ head. as in the case OF Little Pete, * Is
wen known that the See Yup men are
f,er him and that Il is only n question Of
/ time when they VIII get him
King Owyang. when asked today what
/ ne Thoughts his chances we're, said: They
! haven't got me Yet. hut they got Little
Pete" As Little Pete was tho most feared
man IN Chinatown. and was supposed 20
I be iDvulnerable. there is every prospect
| thas the vice-ccnsul viii soon follow him.
Wong Sing and chin Poy. the two Chi
! ncSe arrested. last night Tor the murder.
I have begun % ten contradictory stories.
and the police are certain they have the
right men TIE men are said 10 have been
imported 20 avenge the murder OF Gew
Sin VINO was shot because 10 owed money
! ~ orc % Iittle Pete's gambling houses.
! The chinese code demands life for a life,
/ and g, makes no difference who Is killed
/ 80 i5ng rs be is sufficiently prominent and
/ Pc 3r<s "a tire opposing side