CHINESE SLAVES IN CALIFORNIA

Kumara Times, Issue 873, 18 July 1879, Page 4

CHINESE SLAVES IN CALIFORNIA

A case was developed in a S in Francisco Police Court recently, which presents some startling pictures of the social life of the Chinese. The case was against Lee Cheun Kay, arrested on a charge of battery alleged to have been committed upon Ah Sin, a Chinese maiden about 20 years old. Prosecuting-Attorney Flood desired to show the manner in which the Chinese of that city every day commit outrageous felonies, and questioned thti complaint with that purpose. Ah Sin's testimony, as translated in Court, was substantially as follows:—"I have been in this country about nine years. I was brought here from China by an old woman known as the ' Grey-headed Old Lady.' She bought me in China for something over 20 dollars. I stayed with the 'Greyheaded Old Lady' for about a month, another girl being with me under similar conditions, when we were both sold. I was bought by Dr Li-Po-tai for something from 20 to 40 dollars. Women were cheap then and I did not fetch much. I lived with the doctor for a short time only, his wife saying I was no account. Li-Po-Tai owed a man named Loo Fook some money, and I was given to him in part payment of the debt. Ido not know how much I was valued at then. I was afterwards transferred to one Lee Choy, who said he intended making a courtezan of me. I was then between 11 and 12 years old. One night I went out with Lee Choy, and we met a man who said I was yonng and good-gooking, and he began to joke about me, and wanted to know if I was for sale. I was finally sold to him for about 100 dollars. His name was Lee Fong Mong, I lived with him about three or four years. and he sold me to Lee Cheun Kay for 160 dollars. I lived with him both as servant and wife. I don't know that he had any other wives then. I have lived at two different wash-houses during the last four months, acting as servant for the men there. I haven't lived with Lee Chum as his wife for about two years. I have received no pay for my labor in the washhouses, and, worse than that have been whipped a number of times. My clothing for the last twelve months has been furnished by the proprietors of the washhouses, but now that I have left them they want the clothes back again. When I lived in one of the wash-houses on Ninthstreet, I had to sleep in a sort of stable in the rear of the house. I wanted Lee Cheum to bring me to live in the main part of the city, where there might be a woman with me, and he finally did so, taking me to a place on Third street. I asked him under what conditions 1 was to go there. He said as a servant, but he intended to go to Grass Valley soon and start a butcher's Bhop. He went to the mountains and returned, ordering me to get ready to go with bim to the mountains. I was sick and asked for sojie money, but he wonldn't give me any, and accused me of pretending to be sick. A man from the Ninth- street wash-house came to me and wanted me to go and live with him, saying that if Le Cheun did not sell me then he would do so soon, and that arrangements for my sale were then being made. I afterwards heard a conversation in an adjoining room, my sale being arranged by Le Cheum and another man, who was to pay 710 dollars for me. Lee Cheun wanted me to go back to Ninth - street with him, but I refused, and he threatened to get a policeman and make me go, Just after tha Chinese New Year I was called upon by Lee Fong Mong, who advised me to go. I was afterwards taken to a house in California-street, where I remained for a few days and nights. Lee Cheum then wanted me to go to the mountains with him, but I woaldn't consent, and he struck me with the handle of a feather duster. I then told him I would go back to Lee Fong Mong, and he said he would not let me do so. I ran out into the the street, and he followed me, when I was arrested."