The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-05


The last Chinese excitement. occurred
in 1891. 1t was caused by Sing Lee.
who might be termed a fresh guy
Perhaps he. had been taking too much
hop or perhaps he merely was afflicted
with that enlargement of the Uranium,
without an accompanying increase of
brain tissue, which is said to result
from residence at Helena. At any rate
he came down to this city and like the
fool he was entered beer hall on Cen
trail avenue, called up the big crowd of
hoboes and laborers inside to have
drink, announcing al the same time
that he was about to open wash
house here. Just how the trouble arose,
no one can say, any more than in the
trouble of two years before. Some one
said: I'll be damned if l drink with
the heather" and the next was a show
er of glasses and things of which the
Chinee was the storm center. He got
outside, somehow, and the officers took
him to the county Jail for protection,
and there he stayed for the rest of his
visit, the worst scared man in ten
counties. Still, he persisted in his
scheme to remain in town and do bust
ness here. The sheriff and his deputies
tried to tell him that while they would
give him all the protection in their
power, not all of the deputies who could
be sworn, would be sufficient against
the mob which would rise as soon S he
opened a laundry. Maybe the hop was
not yet out of him or maybe he was
made of the stuff from which martyrs
are manufactured, but he could not be
led to see sense.
Along toward midnight a quiet but
determined crowd of men formed on
Central avenue and, two by two, formed
in line and marched down Second street
south. Some one guessed the meaning
of the procession and, cutting across
lots, struck the Jail and reused the jail
er and John e. Moran now appointed
captain in the army in the Philippines.
He was under sheriff then and had
spent the night in the jail, anticipating
some trouble for the Chinaman. He
dressed as quickly as he could came
outside, locking the door behind him,
and entirely unarmed waited the COM
ing of the mob. Probably it was the
coolest exhibition of level-headed cour-
age ever shown in this city, and certain
ly it was but a presage of the man s
action in the battle field. He knew
nothing of the crowd, save that it was
300 or 400 strong, the outcome of sew
eral hours of passionless discussion.
Since it reached the street, however, it
had been Joined by many irresponsible
men, anxious to intlame the anti-Chi-
nese feeling into an Outburst which
would storm the Jail, If necessary. be-
hind these men We're others, many of
them doubtless Moran's friends, OPP
posed to lawlessness and violence, but
willing to adopt them as last resort.
Against them Moran and the jailer
who remained inside, were opposed, and
as Moran stood in his shirtsleeves be-
meath the light it was easy to see that
he was unarmed. The mob came around
the corner in perfect order and in per-
feet silence. There seemed to be nc
drunken men In the crowd, and when
an occasional member began TO talk he
was silenced by those about him. The
following converse ton at the jail door
ensued between Moran and two mem
bers of the mob. the main body being
held back a distance of about rod by
the leaders.
What do you want?' asked Moran.
We're after the Chinaman."
well, you can't have him" answered
Moran, and you ought to have better
sense than to come down in this fash
ion"
Now, see here, John, we don't intend
TO hurt you or him
Il am not worrying the least oil
about that" was the cool interruption
But" continued the committeeman
mo Chinaman can live in this town
and you know it,
Moran told them that he had been