Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-24
RICH CHINAMAN'S WARD
Ing Yee Yue Let Her Go Wher
Wife Departed.
GIRL DID WORK OF SERVANT
Foster Father Had Paid Nothing for
Her, But May Get Cash When
She Weds.

lhln Fung Choy. or Miriam, as the
Chinese girls name has been American
ized, now ward of the Gerry Society in
New York, and complaining witness in
charge that she had been sold into slavery
to an oriental master by a Washington
Chinaman, Ing Yee Yue, was a dweller in
the National Capital for a number of
years.
Ing Yee Yue is Washington's richest
Chinese merchant. Once he was cook on
the Presidents yacht, job he deserted.
Even now. regarded as an oriental chef
of the first grade, he is frequently called
upon to cook the meals for special func-
tions at the Chinese legation.
Miriam, only thirteen years old, ori-
entally pretty. lived with his family. Tn
| able to talk English understandings, she
yet developed inordinate love for occi-
dental moving picture shows, which she
was able to crafty at all times, even
without cash or an interpreter.
Regarded as Adopted Daughter.
Ing Yee Yue. whose business name is
ShS W dAs 10 P1OpiiSlOI VI IiC IOfS Ar
thur restaurant on 9th street. The girl
Miriam was regarded as his adopted
child
She lived with ing Wah and his wife
after coming from China. When the wife
| of the restaurant keeper returned to
China last September Miriam was taken
to New York and placed in the hands Of
a Chinese friend OF the Washington
oriental.
Ung Wah, as the restaurant keeper Is
we'll known in this city. denies that he
paid anything for the girl. although such
Is the custom In China. He also denies
| that he sold the girl. saying he took her
to New York because he was unable to
do anything with her here
''But when SHE gets married. he told
a Star reporter. Il may get something
from her husband
about what amount will you get? the
Chtnaman was asked.
Don't know he responded. III
friend, nothing"
ing Wah said his reason for taking the
girl to New York was because she would
not remain at home. He brought her here
from China, he said, to be company for
his wife.
While here. he stated. she did some
work about the house in the capacity of
misunderstanding everybody in China
works.
Always on Pleasure Bent.
Miriam developed a mania for five
cent theaters. says ing Wah. It was
impossible to keep her home. She could
not speak English, but always managed
to get in the theaters, even if she had no
money.
The wife of the restaurant keeper went
back to China in October to visit friends.
This woman was the second wife Of the
t(NhtnAman. { They married in ClicA-
go. When she went away she was given
her steamship passage and 5000 in cash.
Miriam. well known about the neigh
borhood in which ing Wah and his wife
lived. departed a short time thereafter
She is pretty girl. neighbors say. and
exceptionally bright and attractive.
Before she was taken to New York Ung
Wah was anxious to have Miriam live
| in an American family in this city. But
the American friends knew Of the girls
fondness for theaters and realized how
hard time they would have keeping her
home. They refused to take her.
ting Wah had been employed in that
family as a cook when he first came tn
this city, having come as deserter from
the Presidents yacht. 1t was due to the
| fight made for him that the decision was
reached to the effect that Cinnamon not
| American citizens. could not be COM
PEELED to return to the service.
Washington's Richest Oriental.
ing w an is ABOUT the most prosperous
Chinaman in this city at this time. He
has accumulated considerable wealth and
has unlimited credit at local banks. He
is now contemplating a thirty-thousand-
dollar real estate deal
Lee Yue, son. is about twenty-five
years of age. He lives with his father
and attends the Gales School.
Chinaman called at police headQuar
| terS this morning to tell Inspector Board
man that the proprietor of Port Arthur is
the man mentioned in New York dis
patches He knew Miriam, he said. and
knew she had been sent to New York.
The Chinaman made it plain that he
was not in the employ of the immigra-
ton bureau. and that his only interest
| in the affair was to see that justice is
done.
A friend Of ing Wah stated this after
noon that the girl was brought here from
China through friends who had some con-
nection with the Chinese legation. and
that he probably paid the expenses of
| her voyage. Ung Wah, he stated is a
| solid man. whose character is above re-
proach and whose word is his bond.
| He has been in business here num-
| Der of years conducting two restaurants.
| Frequently he is summoned 10 the Chi
u