Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-20
TWO CHINAKEN ASSAULTED
ONE OF THEM IN HOSPITAL IN
SERIOUS CONDITION.
Believed That Robbery Was Motive
of Early Morning Visit to
Sing Lees Laundry.

Two Chinese residents were treated at
local hospitals yesterday for wounds re-
ceived at the hands of unidentified as
sailants. One, Sing Lee, conducts laun-
dry at 2203 7th street, the other. Charlie
Ford. has laundry at 300 New York
avenue. Sing Lee was found in his place
of business Yesterday morning in an ap-
parently dying condition. sun sr1ng from
a fracture of the skull and numerous cuts
and bruises. Ford was assaulted while
on the street about 8 o'clock last night by
a colored man. He was near I'd and L
streets northwest. he said. when a man
hit him with a piece of brick. The In
jury to his head was not serious one.
but he was conveyed to the Homeo-
pathic Hospital, whare he remained only
long enough TO receive surgical attention.
Sing Lee Was taken to Freedmen's Hos
pitai. His condition was such that the
surgeons believed ale would die. He was
not wholly unconscious. however. and he
was so greatly improved yesterday after
noon that the police were told he would
probably recover. About 6 o'clock yester-
day morning persons were attracted to
the 9TH street laundry by the sounds of
police whistle, those who responded find
ing the Chihaman at the front door. He
had blown the whistle number of times
carrier in the morning but his voice was
SO weak he could not make noise enough
to attract attention. Eighth precinct po-
licamen responded to call for assistance.
and later D detectives Pratt. Weldon and
IoWlett were detailed to make an fnves-
tigatiOn.
The statements of tine Chinaman were
o confusing that the police were without
clue. 1t is believed that Lee was baat-
en- by would-be robbers. and that they
were frightened off before they could get
his money. An iron bar that had been
used by the assailants was found on the
floor Of the laundry Thu intruders had
;ained an entrance through the rear door.
they cut part of a panel from the door.
and had evidently then put their weight
against the door and forced it in.
Made Slight Search for Cash.
Seeing they were about to enter his
place. the Chinaman hurried 10 the rear
door. and here the assault occurred. The
intruders searched the laundryman's bed.
but did not go to the cash drawer in the
front room, nor did they find a sum
amounting to nearly $50 that he had Sc
rreted IN different parts OF the Two roHns
he occupies. There was a check of $50
in the laundry which had been drawn
for transmission to Sing Lees parents in
China.
"a Chinaman did it, was the state
ment of the wounded man when he
reached the hospital.
~ don't know who did it, was what he
said to Quong Lee his cousin, when the
latter saw him later in the day.
When the police took charge of the
laundry yesterday and made a search OF
the rooms they found $50 in the cash
drawer. ST. under Lees bed and some
small change scattered about the rooms.
Late yesterday afternoon Quong Lee
saw his cousin again and the latter told
him where he could find $50 that he had
secreted between the ceiling and the up
per floor. Quong got policeman. and
found the money.
The surgeons at the hospital discovered
that Lee had sustained several slight
burns about his face and hands, and the
police think ne was thrown on the stove
by the ruffians. Because of the conflict
ing statements made to the police. they
are unable to make Roadway in tracing
the crime.
Suggestion Of Enmity.
The suggestion was made to the police
last night that the assault upon Sing Lee
May have been made by Highbinders or
by some Chinaman who is envious of him.
Cinnamon knew Sing Lee had a good pay
ing business and they also knew he I'M
derstood how to keep his money, but
none of them had ever threatened to as
sault or rob him so far as the police
could ascertain.
1t has been a number of years since any
serious trouble has occurred In this city
among the Cinnamon, and then All Sing.
who had an American wife, was shot. AT
an early hour this morning the police of
the eighth precinct arres ted a colored man
on suspicion of knowing something about
the assault on Lee. He denied the
charge.