and excerpted from the Dutch Flat Chronicles.
The Chinese arrived in force in California during the Gold Rush, and spread across the state, mining for gold along rivers in the Sierra, and often making a living from claims abandined as worthless and worked-out by the white miners. Almost every town had its Chinese quarter, and Dutch Flat had an especially large Chinese population. There were miners, sawmill workers, railroad workers, laundrymen, prostitutes, restauranteurs, and so on. Chinse New Year, in (usually) February, and Ghost Month, (August or thereabouts) were celebrated with great fervor.
Although Dutch Flat was a noted Lincoln-Republican town, it had its share of racists, as is reflected in the pages of the Dutch Flat Forum. The Anti-Chinese movement, which had simmered along since 1852, reached a crescendo in 1876. and continued at a peak until the Exclusion Act of 1882. This, the only exclusion on an ethnic basis ever enacted in U.S. history, slowed Chinese immigration and softened the insanity of the day.
The selections below are from 1877 and 1878.
Among them is an article recording the burning of Dutch Flat's
first, or Old, Chinatown, on September 10, 1877. New Chinatown
was constructed immediately thereafter, on Lincoln-Republican
Henry A. Frost's land near the railroad depot (well out of town).
It is almost a certainty that the whites set fire to Old Chinatown;
at just this time, the Chinese quarters of many towns and cities
across California were mysteriously burned.
February 22, 1877
Watchman in Chinatown
To the families of Dutch Flat: Do you know that many of your children are spending half their time in Chinatown? Drinking their miserable liquor and smoking their worthless cigars; meddling with the affairs of the chinamen, hanging around their "woman" houses and watching their gambling games; in fact going into every vile hole the Chinamen have. I have seen many instances of your children playing "hooky" from school and spending their time in Chinatown. Now the Chinamen do not object to any one looking at their peculiar customs, but do to so many boys who come around and half live with them. The principal merchants have requested me to put into the "calaboose" all such boys as visit their places and get intoxicated on their liquors and meddle with the Chinamen's affairs. Don't say that "My children don't do this," but know that they don't. "A word to the wise."
G.H. Davidson,
Watchman in Chinatown.
March 24, 1877
The Late Massacre of Chinese
On the 14th inst. five Chinese were massacred in a wood choppers' camp, about two miles from Chico, and another wounded. The facts, as far as can be ascertained, are briefly, these: Six Chinese who had been engaged in wood-chopping, were lounging in their cabin after supper; the cabin, which was located about 300 yards from any dwelling, was lighted so that parties on the outside could have a full view of the occupants. The surviving Chinaman says that while the inmates of the cabin were unsuspecting of any danger, they were suddenly fired on by a party of men from the outside, whom he describes as five "Melican men" and a boy; kerosene was then thrown on the cabin, the building was fired, and the assailants ran away.
This is the second outrage of this character that has occurred
within a year, and it is hoped that some decided steps will be
taken to put an end to any future occurrences of the kind. While
we believe the Chinese to be a great detriment to the best interest
of the State, we cannot characterize any such occurrences as less
than a cold blooded, diabolical murder, and for which the dastardly
perpetrators should suffer the extreme penalty of the law. But
then we must consider that there is no direct proof, except the
words of a wounded and frightened survivor that they were white
men. The Chinese are continually fighting among themselves, and
take an immediate and bloody revenge for any imaginary or fancied
wrong, and it is as likely that they were chinamen as white men.
But whichever way it should be, the law should take its course,
every effort possible should be made to detect the cowardly assassins,
and be they white men or chinamen, let justice be dealt out to
them with an unsparing hand.
August 30, 1877
Anti-Chinese Meeting
Owing to the frequent depredations committed by the Chinese lately the citizens of Gold Run determined to call a meeting and obtain the sentiments of the community on the subject. The meeting was called for Friday night, and at the appointed time quite a number of the citizens met in the Union Hall. A.G. Oliver called the meeting to order, and after a few appropriate remarks announced that the first business would be the election of permanent officers. A.G. Oliver was elected President, Paul Webber, Frank Sachs and Jo. Dixon Vice Presidents, and E.H. Price Secretary. The following resolutions were then presented and read:
Whereas, the Chinese as a class are a detriment and a curse to
our country, and more especially here at Gold Run, they have supplanted
white labor and taken the bread out of the mouths of the white
men and their families, and Whereas, it is a well known fact that
the Chinese as a class are notorious thieves and sluice robbers,
and have within the last few months robbed the industrious miners
and others in this vicinity, of anything and everything within
their reach; therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the citizens of Gold Run, do hereby declare
the presence of Chinese in our midst a great nuisance, and invite
all patriotic people to endeavor to get rid of them, and in order
to do so lawfully we hereby authorize the President and Secretary
of this meeting to appoint a committee of five to wait upon and
request all persons and companies within this district to discharge,
within a reasonable time, all Chinamen in their employ; and furthermore,
we earnestly request all persons to withdraw their patronage from
the Chinese wash-houses, and have their washing attended to only
by white persons.
Resolved, That as we are citizens and workingmen, and have the
interests of our common country at heart, we do not approve of
the destruction of property or violence to the Chinese, but pledge
ourselves to use our united endeavors to free our country from
Chinese labor without violence, if possible.
After the resolutions were read they were unanimously adopted.
A Committee consisting of Messrs. J.N. Hansen, Jason Brinks, Jo.
Dixon, C.H. King, T.E.P. Shade, was appointed to interview those
employing Chinese, and endeavor to induce them to discharge the
Mongolians and employ white labor, with instructions to call a
meeting and report when they have done so.
After some pertinent remarks by various gentlemen present, the
meeting adjourned, with three cheers for the cause in which they
had enlisted.
August 30, 1877
A Voice From the People
Women of California: Why do you persist in having your dirty linen fouled by unclean hands, under the pretense of having it cleansed? Do you not know that (in these exciting times when the Chinese are losing employment, and naturally mad at the white race) you are taking desperate chances of having disease introduced among us that will render desolate our firesides? And in fact we don't know but that the diseases among our children during the past year, which have baffled the skill of our most eminent physicians, and depopulated many households, have emanated from the Chinese. Even the promiscuous mixing of clothing by such a loathsome leprous race as they are, ought to be sufficient inducement to stop the dangerous custom. Mothers, ponder well ere ye sanction the maintenance in our midst of this gigantic evil.
Let us join hands with our brothers and vow that we will do it
no more. And that not by our aid or sanction shall the work which
our brothers are doing be undone. Why should we women lag behind
when our brothers and sons are straining every nerve to exterminate
this curse of Asiatic Slavery? Were I a man I would not marry
a woman who had her washing done by Chinese. And girls, have nothing
to say to a man who has his washing done [by Chinese] ...
September 13, 1877
White Girls and China Boys
A Chinaman hath strategy unto him. He is always
on the lookout for the best places in which to get service, and
when he finds such a place he manages to capture the situation.
In this manner the Chinaman is greatly assisted by the current
idea that white people, and especially white girls, will not do
domestic work. When a white girl gets a good place and is working
along pretty well, and is satisfied, and is giving satisfaction
to employers, a shrewd old Mongolian is liable to happen along
and to get an opportunity to interview the girl. He finds out
that she likes her place, that she gets reasonable wages, that
the wages are promptly paid, that there is plenty to eat around
the house, and that generally everything is convenient and the
place is good. All this he gets from the girl, who innocently
tells all. The Chinaman utters a few phrases of pleasant good
bye to the girl, and goes away. The next day a bright and well
dressed young Chinaman calls at the house and has a talk with
the mistress. He is very smart, and looks as if he can do anything.
This heathen flatters the lady of the house, pets the children
if there are any around, and generally demeans himself so as to
appear to be a real household treasure. He is innocent and artless
in his way, and quick to comprehend all that is said to him. He
is posted as to the wages of the hired girl. He offers to work
for that family and do all the cooking and washing and house cleaning
and numerous chores, and he names, as his wages, a sum considerably
less than the white girl is getting. It is a pleasant thing to
have one's domestics so bright and lively, and of that class which
can be ordered around as if they were owned. Then the lower wages
are a temptation, and too often the white girl is discharged,
and the China boy fills the place. He gives compete satisfaction
and the mistress of the house tells her neighbors, and those neighbors
tell other neighbors, that a white girl cannot begin to be compared,
as a servant, with a nice China boy. This idea spreads from Dan
to Beersheba, and the spreading of these comparative reputations,
so hurtful to the white girl, and so good for the heathen, goes
on from the rising to the setting of the sun. After establishing
himself, the China boy goes to making up his wages. He steals
a little every day, and packs his plunder off to his bosses or
his cousins. The sugar does not last as it used to, and the tea
disappears rapidly. Pies and chops and pieces of steaks have the
same course; yet that young heathen looks so innocent and is so
saving when he is watched that he is never suspected. He steals
very little at one time, but he manages to have his stealing time
come very often. He soon demands more wages, and having established
himself as a necessity in the hose his demands are granted. He
does not quit stealing, however, but rather gets bolder. When
he thinks he has stolen about all he thinks the household can
stand he grows bold and impudent and gets his discharge. The mistress
does not blame him much, but says that the poor fellow got into
bad company, and was persuaded into thefts. She would be very
indignant if any one told her that the China boy had been stealing
all the time, from the first until the last day of his time. When
he leaves he manages to make a pretty good clean-up, and then
he hunts another place, from which he ousts another white girl,
and he goes on in this way until his brightness is bedimmed by
opium smoke. The worst thing accomplished by Chinese strategy
is the idea he gets abroad. That idea is that white girls will
not work. He underbids the girls, ruins their reputations as workers,
robs his employers to make up his wages and is a cheat and a fraud
from top to bottom. Even the newspapers too often excuse the necessity
of employing Chinese as domestic servants, and assert that white
girls are prejudiced against such work to such an extent that
they will not take employment. It is asserted that white girls,
no matter what their needs may be, are too much "stuck up"
to work out. We do not think they get chances enough to get employment,
and we believe we know of many good and brave girls who will willingly
work for their own living, or assist their mothers, and who would
have as much self respect while working, as any princess in the
world. Chinese strategy is the creator of the prejudice against
the girls who want work and not the stuckupativeness of the girls.-Grass
Valley Union.
September 13, 1877
Vale Chinatown
In glancing over our little town those familiar
with the heretofore prominent features, will notice a vacancy,
a void that was not last week. Our superb, health-giving and picturesque
Chinatown is no more. The spot where the festive mongolian was
wont to gather in social circles to plan a raid on some flume
or chicken roost, is one of the "has beens." On Monday
forenoon, about a quarter past ten o'clock, a fire broke out in
a barn on the south-western end of Chinatown. An alarm was sounded,
and the citizens rushed to the spot, and in a very short time
the residences in close proximity to Chinatown were covered with
men. The fire at first spread slow, and with a little exertion
could have been stopped before doing much damage. But the wind
raising, the flames were quickly communicated to the thickly built
portion, and then it was "good-by Chinatown." The wind,
increasing in force, soon blew a hurricane, and it required hard
and constant work to save the residences of E.L. McClure, Dr.
Von Buelow, Wm. Rule and others. The fire then leaped across the
street, sweeping on in its destructive course, and consuming the
residence of J.H. Nicholas. At this point the wind changed, and
by this providential course of affairs, the fire was stayed and
Dutch Flat saved. At one time the residences of Mr. Gould and
Mr. Tillotson, the Methodist and Union churches, and the school
house caught fire, but they were soon extinguished. The woods
in the rear of town, in close proximity to the cemeteries, caught
fire, and for a time it required considerable exertion to keep
it away from the town, but after a time its course was changed.
At times the wind was very high, distributing cinders all over
town, in fact burning cinders were picked up at Liberty Hill,
three miles distant. At the sound of the alarm every one in town
turned out and hurried to the scene, and the larger portion of
our citizens turned to and worked with a will to save their neighbors'
property from destruction. Men mounted the roofs of houses and
faced the fierce flames with undeniable courage, and worked faithfully
until all danger was past. As all done well we do not deem it
prudent to make mention of any particular ones. Reliance Hose
Company was out in force, although most of its members were in
the immediate vicinity of the fire. The hose was first laid down
on Sacramento street, but when the wind changed it was taken up
and stretched along Stockton street, and a stream of water played
on the residence of W.S. Cooke. The result of the fire is that
where Chinatown once stood is a mass of ruins, only one or two
houses on the outskirts remaining standing. With the exception
of the white men owning property in Chinatown, J.H. Nicholas'
house was the only property destroyed that was owned by whites.
The estimated damage is about $7,000 for houses and property destroyed
in Chinatown. J.H. Nicholas' house, and outbuilding, about $1,000;
E.L. McClure, Jas. Gould and others lost something by having their
fences torn down. A good deal of emphatic language in relation
to the rebuilding of Chinatown was indulged in during the afternoon,
public opinion being decidedly opposed to the rebuilding of their
filthy habitations. A meeting of the citizens was called in the
evening, for the purpose of discussing the matter, and when the
time came for the gathering, the citizens turned out en masse.
Speeches were made by Dr. Martin, Ludlum, Brown and others. The
subject was discussed thoroughly and candidly, and a committee
of three appointed to inform the Chinamen that they had to leave
within a reasonable amount of time. The committee consisted of
A. Towle, W.H. Hillhouse and Wm. Rabin. It is almost a dead certainty
that they will not be permitted to rebuild again, and we desire
to see the citizens take a firm stand and never yield an inch.
The portion heretofore inhabited by these pests comprises one
of the best locations in town for residences, and if the Chinese
are kept out of it, it will be built up with them, adding much
to the beauty, durability and safety of the town. Reliance Hose
Company also held a special meeting and appointed six extra watchmen,
who were on duty Monday night.
September 13, 1877
Incendiary?
We have heard a few persons assert that Chinatown was set on fire
by an incendiary. We do not believe it. Having lived in this part
of the State for a number of years, and being perfectly familiar
with the habits and customs of the Chinese, it has always been
a mystery to us that they did not burn up their dwellings oftener
than they do. A favorite and universal custom among them is to
go to sleep with a lighted pipe in their mouth, and as their bedding
is composed principally of cotton material, nothing is easier
than for a fire to be started accidentally.
September 13, 1877
The Chinese Must Go!
Dutch Flat, September 10, 1877. At a meeting of the citizens of Dutch Flat, called for the purpose of taking action in regard to the rebuilding of Chinatown, Dr. Martin was called to the chair. After free and fair discussion of the question, the following resolution was passed:
Resolved, That the chair appoint a committee of three, who are
instructed by this meeting to give the Chinese notice to move
their effects outside the town streets, as per town plat of Dutch
Flat, within a reasonable length of time, with an alternative
of being removed by force. The following named gentlemen were
appointed by the chair as such committee: Allen Towle, W.H. Hillhouse,
Wm. Rablin. On motion the Committee were instructed to report
to an adjourned meeting Wednesday, Sept. 12th.
No trouble is apprehended over the future location of Chinatown.
The owners of the lots have agreed not to build China houses on
them, and the Chinamen have agreed to locate where the citizens
choose a place for them. At present negotiations are going on
for the location of the town near the station, on land owned by
Mr. Frost.
October 11, 1877
Report Of The Gold Run Committee
At the anti-Chinese meeting held in Gold Run some time ago, a
committee was appointed to interview mining superintendents and
others employing Chinese labor. Below we give the report of the
committee in full:
To the Chairman of the Citizen's Anti-Chinese Meeting of August
24, 1877:
We, your Committee appointed August 24 to solicit signatures to
the resolutions adopted at that meeting, and to request all parties
employing Chinese labor to discharge the same, within a reasonable
time, also to request all persons to withdraw their patronage
from the Chinese wash houses, and have their washing done by their
own people, respectfully place before you for your consideration
the following report:
The following gentlemen interviewed by J.N. Jensen, reply to the
request as follows:
J.L. Gould, speaking for himself, says that he is favorable to
working white men but could not make the change immediately at
present rate of white wages as their claim is not sufficiently
prospected as yet to ascertain whether it will pay either Chinese
or white labor, and that all the Chinese employed by the company
at present will be idle in about two weeks. And for anything further
in regard to the matter, refers us to the Board of Directors of
the G.R.D. & M. Co.
Mr. Kinder says he would have to abandon shoveling if he was compelled
to employ white labor at the present rate of wages. As his shoveling
is about done he will not have any Chinese employed in a short
time, and that he will use his influence in furtherance of our
object.
Mr. J.A. Stone says that he is unfavorable to the employment of
Chinese, but that his claim is an experiment and does not know
as it will pay either Chinese or white labor. At present rate
of white wages would have to close down. For anything further
refers you to M. Jansen.
The following gentlemen interviewed by J. Dixon reply as follows:
Kipp & Co. say they don't intend to make a business of hiring
Chinese.
Everhart & Co. say they cannot cut railroad wood without Chinese
labor.
Mr. John Quinn says that he will discharge the Chinese now in
his employ as soon as they get the wood piled which they have
cut. And that if the rest discharge theirs he will not hire another
Chinaman. For anything further refers you to J. Dixon.
The following gents were interviewed by Mr. Shade:
F.A. Schnabel says that he is in favor of white labor, and so
far as he is interested in the cement mill he will employ white
labor. As soon as his American river claim will pay white wages
he will hire white men and discharge his Chinese, but cannot do
it at present, owing to circumstances. For anything further refers
you to Mr. Shade.
The women of Gold Run interviewed by C.H. King were nearly unanimous
in our favor, showing by their acts that not by their aid or sanction
shall the work which we are doing be undone. Out of sixty-seven
women visited by Mr. King, sixty signed the resolutions, and five
out of the seven promised positively to cease employing Chinese
in any way.
John Beasley says he has never employed Chinese individually,
and would not in the cement mill if he owned it all himself. For
anything further refers you to Mr. King.
Col. J.F. Moody says he will give us his influence in favor of
our object.
Now in view of the fact that, the parties employing Chinese labor,
interviewed by this, your Committee, have almost, without exception,
given indefinite answers, but all expressing themselves as willing
to substitute white labor for Chinese, if their profits would
permit, and as between now and the coming water season, a period
will intervene in which companies will shape themselves through
their Board of Directors or otherwise, for the coming season's
work; we, your committee respectfully submit, that this is a proper
time in which to agitate and discuss the matter, and we recommend
that this meeting appoint a Standing Committee, to work in this
interval, with such parties or companies hiring Chinamen, to further
this our object to a favorable conclusion.
We feel certain that if the matter is not allowed to drop, but
properly and persistently pressed, that success will follow our
efforts.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Thos. E.P. Shade.
Joseph Dixon.
J.N. Jensen.
C.H. King.
Committee.
Placer Argus
November 3, 1877
Ku Klux Klan
We have Ku Klux in Auburn. If anybody doubts it let him read the
following epistle, which was received by Mr. Lipsett, proprietor
of the Orleans Hotel, last Monday. We will merely say that Mr.
Lipsett some time ago dismissed his Chinese cook, as a number
of others about here did, but not being able to get along with
his newly acquired Caucasian cook, the latter left, since which
time Mr. Lipsett, we believe, has employed the same Chinaman he
had.
Auburn, October 29, 1877.
Doomed Wretch: After the solemn warnings you have received, you
still persist in holding out against the wishes of the respectable
citizens of Auburn.
When you received our last notice we thought you had self-respect
enough to conform to the intelligent ideas of the citizens above-named,
but that last act of yours proves to the contrary. You have the
brazen impudence to stand up in the face of all this and employ
a mongolian, whom you know is detrimental to the interests of
civilization, when you could procure respectable white labor in
their stead, who would gladly accept of the situation, if treated
like white men. But no, you want them to do the dirty menial work
that any decent person in their profession would scorn as the
meanest insult. Is it possible that you cannot get along without
Chinamen? We would ask you, how does the American Hotel and the
Franklin Hotel get along without them? Please answer this. We
shall hear your expressions. Ponder well upon this, for vigilant
eyes are upon you. It was by the intercession of two of our number
that your neck was saved some time ago, and I can assure you that
we had to use our most strenuous efforts in saving you from that
which you so richly deserved. You accuse us of resorting to the
torch of the incendiary. We would inform you that we do not war
on our enemy with the torch, but we do it with the pistol and
the dagger. I would moreover inform you that we have received
a quantity of hemp, which we have manufactured into cravats for
your especial benefit; said cravats are such as are used by Sheriffs
in the execution of criminals, and if you persist in your damnable
course, we will be under painful necessity of fitting one on your
dirty neck. It is useless for you to hire watchmen to guard your
premises, as we have access to your house, whenever we feel that
way inclined, and often have we gazed upon you in your drunken
slumbers, and concluded that St. Patrick made a mistake, for there
was one Irish reptile left. You had a five days' warning before;
that is the last. If you still persist in your course you must
take the consequences. The days of warning are past. We will come
like a thief in the night, when you least expect us. If you have
any regard for your wife and children, we would advise you to
take a policy in some reliable insurance company. So, farewell,
Sympathizing with you in your mad career, we remain,
Respectfully yours,
Committee of Ten.
The letter was embellished with some cheerfully
suggestive ideographs, such as the skull and crossbones, coffin,
and something else very cabalistic and very portentous, no doubt.
The style of writing is passably good, and is evidently that of
some young man or boy. The idea of closing the address to the
"doomed wretch" by "Respectfully yours," bespeaks
a strainedly conventional politeness. The writer also spells labor
with a u before the r, as in the British schools. A wide-awake
detective could snatch that young man in short order.
November 8, 1877
Got Herself Into A Snap
Mr. Editor. I have got myself into a snap which I should like
to have you help me out of, if it is in your power. To tell you
the truth I have promised more than I am able to fulfill. A few
weeks ago, a gentleman called on all the ladies in our district,
and requested us to cease employing the Chinese, and I, like a
great fool with nearly all the rest promised that I would, and
here I am up to my eyes in soapsuds; my arms all chapped, the
blood oozing out of the ends of my fingers; in fact I am about
used up. You see we can't get white women to do our washing as
cheap as the Chinamen did, and I for one won't pay them one cent
more, for the Chinese did it good enough for me. They are just
putting on airs for they have got us in the door. But if they
don't come to terms soon I'll send east and bring out washerwomen,
and then they will wish they had done it as cheap as the Chinese.
I would not have dared to have told you anything about my troubles,
if I had not read Mrs. B's growl in the Argus. I thought I had
as much right to growl as she did. Can't you do something for
us, start us a laundry or something of that sort? I don't want
to give my washing to the Chinese again; in fact I can't; for
there is that promise staring me in the face continually. O how
I wish I had not promised! I did not intend to say any more but
when a woman gets started, she never knows when to stop. I went
out visiting yesterday and got lots of news? They say there are
to be two weddings here shortly! Only think of it, two weddings,
it always recalls to memory the time, when my old man and I were
spliced. If the Gold Run boys are not on the qui vive, a dashing
young fellow from You Bet ridge, will carry off a prize, on which
occasion a well-aired house will be occupied, I almost wish I
had set cap for him; and you Dutch Flatters had better take heed,
for they tell us that a son of David, has an eye to business in
your burg. I don't know why it is but there is something about
all men who are about to be married that I like, I almost wish
I had set my cap for him when I was young. Well there is another
fellow comes around here from near Alta, they say he means business,
but he had better be careful, as the last fellow slipped up on
his calculations. Won't it be jolly, just think how much champagne
you'll have to drink, for of course they won't forget the Editor.
Now Mr. Editor, don't you want a regular correspondent, if you
do, just say that you will do all my fighting, and I am yours,
Sarah Jane, Gold Run.
November 15, 1877
Another Snap
Gold Run Nov. 10th, 1877.
Mr. Editor. Well I do declare if that correspondent of yours Sarah
Jane, hasn't gone and exposed all her points. That is just what
is the matter! I have got myself into a snap too. I have been
trying to do washing at Chinese prices, and I have come to the
conclusion that it cannot be done. My hands and arms are in as
bad a condition as Sarah Jane's dare be. I have lived on rice
and drank weak tea, until my stomach won't stand it any longer,
and one of my boys the other day, said he began to feel his queue
sprout. From this out I want S.J., whoever she is, and all her
friends, to distinctly understand, that I for one don't intend
to do washing at Chinese prices any longer. Nobody else is asked
to work at Chinese prices, but us poor women. Even our Chinese
worshippers, with all their love for the Mongolian, pay white
folks a little more. The miners or lumbermen don't ask the whites
to work as cheap as Chinese, and why should we be asked to do
it. Sarah Jane's husband probably plays Faro, Pedro, Vingt Une,
drinks whisky, smokes cigars, besides other knick-knacks, while
Sarah Jane attends all the shows, balls and festivals within reach,
dressed in all the finery she can wear, causing at least a weekly
outlay of $50, cash and no grumbling, and yet she envies the few
paltry dollars she pays us, for doing her washing, and perhaps
waiting one year for our pay. Is this not economizing with a vengeance!
"Penny wise and pound foolish!" She can send East if
she wants to; but I have a friend right from there who says washing
is not done there, even at Any such ruinous prices. But it is
ever thus when women are required to perform manual labor. We
must work for less pay and longer hours than the men. If we hire
out as servants, we must commence at daybreak and work until bedtime.
A Chinaman will not do it,, as soon as the supper dishes are washed
he is off to Chinatown to dispose of his plunder. He is no such
a fool as to stay and take care of the baby, and put the rest
of the children to bed, and as like as not, we are put to bed
in the same bed which the Chinaman occupied, and although perhaps
superior in intellect and culture to our mistress, the door is
slammed in our face when she has company at the house. You are
sure to meet with this treatment, among the shoddyocracy. No lady
would be guilty of any such impolite manners. I don't go a visiting
for I cannot dress well enough,, to be made welcome among those
who peddle gossip; besides they say washing is degrading, and
unfits a person to associate with the "bon tons." Therefore
I have no news to tell you now, as you have engaged S.J. without
pay as correspondent. Could you not afford to pay me a small salary,
as I want to go into something where I will not have to compete
with Chinese. The Legislature will soon meet, and don't you want
a reporter there. Wilson and Norton want their sayings and doings
put in print, and I believe I can do them brown. Just name your
price, and although a widow I have a big brother who says he'll
do my fighting for me.
Them fellows Sarah told you about are mad as wet hens, so you
had better hurry along that devil, for if she don't get you into
the biggest kind of muss soon, my name ain't
Molly Ann
November 15, 1877
In Reply to Molly Ann
Molly Ann: It would give us great pleasure indeed to be represented
at the Legislature by such an able reporter as you show yourself
to be; were it not for the fact, that under such a heavy pressure,
our whole business would collapse in a week. It wouldn't do! We
will have to take the chances of being called thieves, in stealing
such reports from other papers.
But how does it come that a poor widow washerwoman, as you claim
yourself to be, should become so enterprising all at once, as
to make such pretensions, in wanting to follow our Dr. to the
Legislature? It sounds a little suspicious, but then that's foreign
to the present subject? Anyway, our advice is, and it's the best
we can do under the circumstances: As you have already locked
horns with Sarah Jane we will put you on an equal footing with
her as correspondent, limiting each of you to one third of a column
per week. That is if you write on the same terms as Sarah Jane.
So pitch in if suitable.
November 15, 1877
Jake Gave Him Cigars
Gold Run, Nov. 12th, 1877.Mr. Editor. You can tell
that laundryman, that the Chinese laundry has come down another
peg. Jake met my old man up town the other night and gave him
a whole bundle of cigars, and a crock of preserved ginger for
me. Jake says he will keep my old man in cigars, and give me a
crock every month, if I would give him my washing. Very tempting
isn't it? I am going to see that fellow who went around and get
him to let me off.
Sarah Jane.
P.S.-You ought to have spoken about the champagne, sotto voce,
as my old man is a Good Templar.
S.J.
November 29, 1877
The Workingmen's Parade
For some days previous to Thanksgiving the San Francisco papers
have been very much disturbed over the workingmen's demonstration
which was to occur on that day. It was expected that there would
be a riot, and that an attempt would be made to burn Chinatown.
On the day set the parade came off, and contrary to expectation
no trouble occurred. The San Francisco Chronicle devotes five
columns to a description of the procession, and incidents of the
day. Over 10,000 workingmen were in the procession, carrying banners,
transparencies, and mottos, all aimed at the Chinese evil. Some
of the inscriptions were very pointed, and showed that the men
who carried them were in earnest and determined to fight the Chinese
evil until it is banished from the country. So great was the fear
of those who had become rich through Chinese labor that the Light
Artillery and military companies were kept under arms all day.
After marching through the principal streets the procession proceeded
to the corner of Market and McAllister streets, where the grand
stand had been erected. The exercises consisted of the reading
of poems and speeches by O'Donnel, Kearney, Knight and others.
The whole affair passed off peaceable, and not once did any participant
in the parade show a riotous or disorderly feeling. Chinatown
was deserted, some few of the Celestials viewing the procession
from the house tops.
In the evening a secret meeting was held at Charter Oak Hall,
for the purpose of perfecting the organization throughout the
State. It was decided to call a State convention, in which all
parties except the Republican and Democratic be invited to send
delegates. Each party in the State, with the exceptions above,
is to be allowed three delegates in the convention for every 100
members, and one for every fraction of 100, over 50, and each
county to be entitled to three delegates at large. The meeting
then adjourned to meet on the third Monday in January, when the
convention will be held.
From this account it will be seen that the workingmen realize
that they have the majority of the votes in the State, and if
the old parties will not give them aid in throwing off the heavy
burdens that now rest upon them they will take the matter in their
own hands and settle it effectually.
July 25, 1878
Incident at Blue Tent
On Sunday evening last, we are informed, one hundred white men,
supposed to be from Eureka, Omega and Washington, Nevada county,
armed with Spencer rifles, shotguns, revolvers and bowie knives,
drove off from the works of the Blue Tent Ditch Co., and mills
adjacent, between two hundred and two hundred and fifty Chinamen.
The bosses said that if they would let the Celestials work till
the first of the month, that they would discharge them themselves;
but the men would not listen to anything of the kind, saying that
they had come here to make them quit, and that the Chinese must
go. The best of all was that the entire party had dinner at the
boarding-house, and, after having had what they wanted to eat,
told those in charge, "to charge the Superintendent of the
Blue Tent Ditch for what they had eaten!"
August 22, 1878
The Chinese at Reno
Reno is exercised over the rehabilitation of Chinatown. It was
lately burned down. Whether by accident or design, does not clearly
appear from the contradictory statements published. The Reno Gazette,
however, thinks that the Chinese should hereafter be kept out
of the town. It says, in support of this proposition, that
"The Chinese are notoriously regardless of any property save
their own. Every Chinese wash house and opium den is the kindling
for a fire which may destroy much property. The Chinese quarter
has harbored and concealed thieves and murderers for the destruction
of property and life. The opium dens are occupied daily by thieves
and rounders, who go forth at night to work the town, and steal
or burn as is the case. The heathen regards maybe no law, save
that of gain, and we should do likewise. It would be gain to us
if we lost the Chinaman, and although we have no right to compel
his movements, we believe that an earnest attempt would move John
out in the sagebrush, where he belongs. The lives and property
of our citizens would be safer, there would be less safety for
thieves and murderers, and the health and appearance of the river-side
would be greatly improved. If the matter can be accomplished,
it will be through the white men who own the burnt district, as
the town is not incorporated, and force is out of the question."
This puts the case very concisely. Reno, it appears, is not incorporated,
and therefore municipal regulations do not exist. The people have
a right at common law to abate a nuisance, but as the fire has
abolished it completely in their case, all that can be done is
to induce the property owners not to permit the Chinese to build
shanties, and crowd up to the injury of their neighbors. The whole
fifty shanties burned were not worth $4,000, and belonged to four
men, one of whom has joined the popular side for excluding the
Chinese. Meanwhile a demand has been made by the Workingmen's
organization that the Chinese should be expelled from Washoe county,
Nevada, and the leaders of the coolies were given a few days to
consider the matter. It is quite certain that unless the popular
will be respected there will be a great deal of trouble on the
Pacific Coast arising out of the presence and competition of the
Chinese.
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