The Washington times., 1901-08-28
MYSTERY IN HIS ILLNESS.
Wong ShOng's Condition Presents
Some Peculiar Features.
Now Dying Amid SGunlid Surround
inEs - Discharged From the Hos
pital With Slight Injuries IA Few
Days Ago-Hint of a Damage Claim


There is mystery surrounding the i'll
ness of Wong Shong. the Chinese laundry
man, who figured in troubles ten days
ago At the laundry of Lee Jung, ia Ninth
Street northwest, and who was struck
over the head by the baton of Policeman
C. IL. Murphy, while resisting the officer
There are many peculiar circumstances
surrounding the condition of the China
man that mark the case as an extra
ordinary one. Whether this Illness Is due
to the injuries inflicted by the policeman
is a matter that will probably call for the
eventual investigation of the authorities.
Wong Shong came to this city seven
years ago, and has been an Industrious,
peaceable Celestial, according to those
who know him. For some time past he
had been working at the laundry on
Ninth Street and living with friends on
Third Street. above Pennsylvania Ave
nue.. Recently the attention of the police
was called to certain Irregularities in the
conduct of the Ninth Street laundry by
the neighbors and watch was set upon
the place.
1t developed that certain young girls
made a practice of visiting the laundry
on business that is not usually identified
with the cleansing of clothing. During
the progress of these Investigations while
Policeman Murphy was in the vicinity of
the laundry he heard a cry for help
which apparently emanated from the
laundry and rushed in only to find the
way blocked by Wong Shong, who was
in the front room.
Shong speaks but little English. and his
friends say that he did not understand
the purpose of the officer. The policeman
III
hit him with it in his effort to reach the
back room. and the officer used his club
freely upon the head and shoulders of
the Celestial before he succumbed.
As a result of this energetic action on
the part of the policeman Sophia Stearns.
a fifteen-year-old girl, was located
haring been a frequenter of the place,
and on her complaint a most serious
charge was lodged against Shong, who
was afterward held in $1,000 bond for the
action of the grand jury. When Shong
was placed under arrest it was found
necessary to take him to the Emergency
Hospital to have his injuries dressed.
The physicians there. after careful
examination, determined tnaJ beyond a
few bruises across the back and a LAGER
ated wound of the scalp Shong had not
been hurt.
After dressing the wounds Shong was
sent to the station and kept until morn
ing, when he was released in the Police
Court on furnishing the necessary bond.
Since he left the care of the physicians
and has been in the hands of the Chinese
medicine man there has been marked
change for the worse. He has lost
strength, his cheeks are sunken, and the
slight attack of consumption from which
he formerly suffered has developed into
a rapid wasting away. which is at times
accompanied by considerable fever.
a u hon in he has so ont
Of the Chinese temple on Four-and- half
Street. below Pennsylvania Avenue. he
was out of his mind and apparently OBJ
livious to his surroundings. He is guard
ed with the greatest diligence by several
Cinnamon, whose principal business
seems to be to deny any knowledge as to
his whereabouts. The positive statement
was made at the temple last night that
Shong was not in the place, and within
twenty minutes a Times reporter was
ushered into his presence by one OF the
better class of his countrymen-
The man was lying on a bed formed by
an old mattress thrown across some
boards that were supported by two
wooden horses. His head rested upon a
pillow and over him was thrown a dirty,
greasy quilt that would but add to the
fever with which he was burning. His
pulse was rapid, and occasionally he
glared at the visitor with dulled eyes,
indicating the use of a drug. Across the
room, apparently watching him, was
another Chinaman, who squatted on the
ltpbT with pipe III ms InOutn,s from
which he silently pulled. The lights
were linn and the air foul.
Shcag was lying upon the right side
and wound about two-and-one-h
inches long was pointed out as the injury
which had injured his brain, as the
Cinnamon claim. He is terribly einacia-
ted, and, in view of the findings of the /
physicians and surgeons at the Emer- |
gency Hospital, it seemed impossible at
first to account for the wonderful change |
In the man. During the course of the in |
terview, one of the Cinnamon remarked |
When white man killed in China Chi |
nese Government have to pay big money |
to friends. Wong SEong badly beaten by |
policeman; he die, American Government |
pay Chinaman money"
The significance of the remark could |
be better appreciated when the surround !
ings of the man and the remarkable !
change in his condition were taken into /
consideration. Certain it is that Shong t
VIII die If he is left with no other treat |
ment than that which he is now receiv- !
ing. The question that will doubtless pre- |
sent itself to the authorities is what ac- |
tion should be taken by them in the case |
in view of the assertion that a claim wifi |
be made against the American Govern |
ment in case Shong should die.
The matter will be brought to the at /
tention of Major Sylvester this morning |
and it is possible that he may order a |
further investigation of the case, and pos |
sibly find some means to ensure proper |
for the dying Chinaman.
ETC DDYuhrr