Old Missoula

A Short Story – Sam Hing – Brave “Yank” – Chinaman Murdered by a Quigley Mob

Why do you suppose almost all of Montana’s Chinese people disappeared? These people played a key role in Montana’s development, beginning with the placer mining era that involved thousands of them as they worked the bars and gulches after the first prospectors abandoned them, and later building Montana’s N. P. railroad, which involved even more thousands of them.

Here is a story about one of them that somehow seems to have escaped the headlights of Montana history.

First a little preview:

Following the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Geary Act of 1892 Chinese people in Montana suffered an increasingly hostile environment. This blatantly racist national legislation was designed to send a venomous message – You’re not wanted here. What couldn’t have been an easy life got even harder for the Chinese. Now not only political in nature, other actions against Montana’s Chinese were often brutal and physically harmful. Subject to discrimination in every way imaginable, be it socially, ethically, or morally, they were often openly despised as insufferable wretches.

One of the largest elements of Montana’s Chinese population in the 1890’s was located in Butte, Mt. While a majority of Montana’s early Chinese had once been involved in placer mining at various places such as Alder Gulch and Cedar Creek, an increasing number of them later began to work in the larger cities. Helena and Butte were two prominent locations. Here, many of them operated small businesses such as laundries, stores, butcher shops and restaurants. Even more were employed by other businesses as laborers.

Sadly, the use of Chinese labor was a particularly sore subject in Butte, which was a hotbed of union activity, especially in the 1890’s. Butte’s Chinese were targeted in an unusual, but crudely effective way – boycotts. Largely unacknowledged in Montana’s history, Butte’s Chinese were subjected to business boycotts that guaranteed their loss of income, and eventually many of them were forced to leave the area.

Butte’s first boycott began in 1891, but that effort failed when the local population refused to support it. A second, more effective business boycott occurred in 1896, when it was backed by elements of several Butte labor unions, who were also supported by the Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly and the famous Butte Miner’s Union. Examples of literature distributed by leaders of the boycott still exist in National Archives. One of these exhorts union members to boycott all “Chinese and Japanese Restaurants, Tailor Shops and WashHouses – Also all persons employing them in any capacity.”

A few of Butte’s Chinese businessmen responded by filing an injunction in Federal Court to halt the boycott. Although they were in some respects successful, forcing the defendants to stop their activity, the damage was clearly done. Chinese people in Butte were firmly on notice that they were not welcome there.

Butte wasn’t the only city that dealt with the repercussions of a Chinese boycott. Another small rippling effect was felt in the little mining berg of Quigley, Montana, less than 100 miles away from Butte. Quigley was located a few miles up Rock Creek, about 25 miles east of Missoula.

A year before, in 1895, newly discovered mineral deposits caused a great deal of excitement in the Quigley area. Reports of exceptional assays sparked interest clear across the nation and the prospect of an economic boom produced investments from well-heeled investors (one allegedly being Grover Cleveland). The Golden Sceptre Mining Corporation quickly invested one and a half million dollars there. As many as 2,000 people may have come to Quigley at one point, hoping to grab a piece of Montana’s new gold rush.

Missoula County commissioners had already quickly approved a new bridge over the Hell Gate River near Bonita and a railroad bed up Rock Creek was being built – by Chinese labor. A 7 ½ mile aqueduct would provide Rock Creek water and a stamp mill was being built. According to The Daily Missoulian, Quigley “will be developed into one ot the greatest gold producing regions that was ever discovered in the state.”

The collapse of Montana’s silver mining in 1893 had already caused a severe recession that hit western Montana especially hard; notably in the little silver mining community of nearby Granite, Mt. which proudly featured one of the largest silver mines in the whole country. It also had 18 saloons and a Miner’s Union Hall. Hundreds of unhappy Montana silver miners were suddenly out of work in 1893.

Maybe Quigely would replace Granite’s silver mine, and put these poor souls back to work. Quigley wasn’t but a short ride down the road from New Chicago, or Hall, Mt., or even from Granite. Holy Cow!

Listen:

The Bridge Received.

Commissioners Deschamps and Rankin Visit Quigley – What They Saw.

The county commissioners went to Bonita [near Rock Creek] yesterday for the purpose of inspecting the new wagon bridge across Hell Gate river at Sceptre Spur. They found the structure erected according to the plans and specifications and requirement of the contract in every detail. The bridge was accepted. The officials are high in their praise of Contractor Peppard’s work and claim the bridge is an exceptionally good one for the money expended.

After inspecting the bridge Commissioners Deschamps and Rankin made a trip to Quigley, returning to Bonita in time to catch the evening train for home.

They were favorably impressed with all they saw at Quigley. They were in the vicinity of Quigley last February when they viewed the site for the bridge. At that time, where Quigley now stands, was an improved ranch; now, a thrifty booming village is in existence, the population numbering three or four hundred souls. Business is good. The houses erected are fairly well built. Work on the new milling plant is being pushed rapidly along, grading for the roadbed for the electric railroad from the mill to the mine has been commenced, and work on the flume above the mill will be started in a few days.

The roads are lined with freighting teams. On their way up they overtook eight, six-horse teams, six four-horse teams and as many single teams all loaded down with freight. Three stage coaches make regular trips between Bonita and Quigley. Owing to the wet weather the roads are in bad shape. With a large force of men at work on the roads they are kept in passable shape.

All the money expended for labor, improvements, etc., comes from the Golden Sceptre Mining company, if not directly, indirectly.

The commissioners are more pleased than ever for ordering the new bridge for a district as rich as Quigley. It has been a boon to Missoula and will undoubtedly last for months to come.

The above article appeared in the Daily Missoulian on May 8, 1896.

Imagine the money being spent on Quigley as dozens of daily freight teams and numerous stagecoaches ferried goods and people back and forth from Missoula and surrounding areas. Lumber and nails, wire, pipe, sheet metal and hardware of all kinds, shop and blacksmith equipment, fuel, harnesses, wagon and horse tack, feed, kits, belts, you name it, and it was probably being furnished pronto from the Missoula Mercantile warehouse. All in wild anticipation of what might be coming down the path to Quigley. Even a hospital was on the way. Workers and professional people were in demand also:

Listen:

Will Go To Quigley.

Dr. Rockman Will Be Company Physician – Leaves Today.

Missoula will lose one of its prominent professional men today by the departure of Dr. M. Rockman, who will go to Quigley this morning to remain permanently, he having received the appointment of company physician, succeeding Dr. Canney with the Golden Sceptre Mining company . The appointment is a good one and the Golden Sceptre Mining company are to be congratulated on their selection, for Dr. Rockman is a thorough gentleman and a skilled physician, which is best proven by the many difficult cases he has treated with success since he came to Missoula last January. The men at Quigley, who pay for the support of the hospital and maintenance of a resident physician, will find the doctor the most obliging professional man at all times and if there are times when Dr. Rockman cannot relieve their pains it is because medical skill is powerless. He has already sent a complete hospital outfit, consisting of iron beds, linens, blankets, towels, together with a kitchen and dining room service, to Quigley, which will be arranged in a well ventilated building for a hospital. He has engaged the services of a competent nurse in the person of Mr. Paul, who will go there in a few days to take up the duties of his position. The doctor has many friends in Missoula who congratulate him on his appointment.

The above article appeared in the Daily Missoulian on August 1, 1896

If the expectation was as good as the experts said it was, not a soul need worry for his wages if he could still stand up and handle a shovel, or a hammer and drill. Nobody need worry, should they?

There was one festering problem though, and his name was “Yank”. That damn Chinaman from Philipsburg. No Butte boycott was necessary here. He had been already been warned.

Listen:

The “Yankee” Escaped.

A Mob of Men Are Held Back – By Ed Moore With a Winchester.

Last Saturday night the peace and quietness of the new town of Golden [sister city to Quigley] in the Rock Creek mining district was thrown into excitement by the appearance of a mob who were going to hang a Chinaman who came to the camp to start a washhouse. The Chinaman came from Philipsburg where he has resided for nearly twenty years. His nickname is “Yank” or “Yankee.” After his arrival there was nothing said until Saturday night, when the mob consisting of about 25 men made their appearance. The Chinaman at the time of the arrival of the mob was in Ed Moore’s saloon. The leader of the mob demanded that “Yank” come out, declaring that a Chinaman could not live in Golden and that they proposed to hang him.

Mr. Moore grabbed a Winchester and told the mob to come or go as they saw fit. He told them they should not have undertaken such an errand without giving “Yank” due notice to leave the camp. He further said he would take “Yank” and whip each man in the mob beginning with the leader and ending with the last until all were whipped.

Noting the determination of Moore to save the reputation of the camp and a human life as well they went down the valley in the direction of Quigley.

Bad whiskey seems to have been what prompted the rash act as several of the men were intoxicated. Ed Moore who stood off the mob is an ex-sheriff of Deer Lodge county, being a man of even temper and as brave as a lion, as was clearly demonstrated Saturday night.

The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on March 24, 1896.

Where things went terribly wrong was never quite explained, since the brave souls who made up this “mob” did not have the courage to identify themselves. A lot of Montana mythology comes from men who never had the courage to identify themselves, claiming in secret they stood up for justice that would be delivered in the dark of night or from the gable of a local saloon, or the beams of a horse corral. And their vague stories were told from a distance of time and place, where there were no naysayers or disputers.

Butte men already boycotted Chinamen and weren’t these people “excluded” anyhow? The Knights of Labor backed the boycott action and they represented a big segment of the area’s laboring population. Largely Irish, no less. Even though the majority of Chinese were employed as cooks and laundry workers, they were still perceived as threats to the real American workers. Helena seemed to accept and harbor them since they were not a threat to Helena’s economy. Let Helena keep them.

Early in June, the mob took the final step. The Daily Missoulian reported it on June 2, 1896

Listen:

Murder at Quigley,

Wong Ying, known as “Yank”, killed by unknown Parties Yesterday Morning.

His Cabin Was Also Set On Fire.

A Rumor That Lacks Confirmation Is to the Effect That Suspects Are Under Arrest.

The new mining camp at Quigley was the scene of a brutal murder yesterday morning between the hours of 12 and 1 o’clock. A Chinaman named Wong Ying was shot and killed by some unknown parties. The indications are that the murderers tried to burn his house and when he came out killed him. Wong Ying, more commonly called “Yank,” lived in Montana 26 years. He was a resident of German and Henderson gulches in early days, following the occupations of a laundryman and cook. He lived for over 20 years in and around Philipsburg, going to Quigley some two months ago. Being the first Chinaman to make his appearance in the new camp caused a great deal of dissatisfaction on the part of some of the white men, who openly protested against “Yank” remaining.

A few nights later an armed mob of men called at the saloon where “Yank” was stopping and demanded that he come out and leave the camp. The owner of the saloon, Ed Moore, who did not propose to have any mob law in Golden or Quigley, grabbed a Winchester rifle and ordered the mob to beat a hasty retreat, a hint they obeyed promptly. Later “Yank” had been threatened in divers ways, but he stood firm. He had been in rough places before and was not afraid. After the American Federation of Labor was organized at Quigley they undertook to get “Yank” away by offering to purchase all his property at a big price. He refused to sell so that ended their part in the affair.

About a week ago some unknown parties called on “Yank” and gave him a last chance to pull his freight and get out of town. He still remained and met death at the hands of his enemies.

A coroner’s inquest was held yesterday afternoon by Acting Coroner E. L. Proebsting. Nothing was developed as to the guilty parties. Sheriff L. C. Johnson of Granite county, who was in the camp at the time, has been unable to find a clue.

Several Missoula Chinamen have expressed themselves as not being surprised at “Yank’s” death, because when he visited Missoula about six weeks ago he was telling how he had been threatened with instant death if he remained in camp.

Later, it is learned, that Sheriff Johnson has arrested three men on suspicion, but upon what authenticity the report is based cannot be learned.

The above article appeared in the Daily Missoulian on June 2, 1896.

There had been many egregious killings in Montana’s past, often tied to some perceived notion of retribution for a past wrong, or to prevent crimes that had somehow avoided law enforcement or the courts. Vigilante activity still occurred in parts of Montana, but this killing stood apart as a particularly rank thing and the stench of it was the subject of an awkward editorial found in the local Missoula newspaper. Even the most articulate voice in the area couldn’t furnish an adequate explanation.

The bottom line – “Yank” didn’t “obey.” Had he just been maltreated, “it could be forgiven.”

Listen:

The Quigley Killing

Wong Ying, a Chinaman known as “Yank,” was killed at Quigley Sunday night. He was murdered, brutally murdered, and the crime calls for punishment. Had the man been maltreated, bad as it would have been, it could have been forgiven and forgotten. The country would be much better off without Chinese, but as they are here they are entitled to the protection our laws guarantee them. There are desperate men these days, desperate because they can get nothing to do, but the Chinese are not responsible for their enforced idleness, except, perhaps, very remotely. It would have been wise on the part of Wong Ying had he obeyed the warnings given him and left Quigley, but he did not choose to do so. He was the judge of his own actions, and results show that he did not choose wisely. Taking everything into consideration, however, there is not the shadow of excuse for his murder maliciously planned and deliberately executed. It ought not to be difficult for the authorities to fasten the crime upon the guilty persons. “Yank” was not killed for the sake of gain. It was a wanton, unnecessary killing to gratify a thirst for blood of human hounds who love to rend and tear and destroy in their blind rage. There was a conspiracy, and necessarily, conspirators. Where there are conspirators there can be found one who will leak. That man should be found. It matters not who fired the shot, all cognizant of the fact that the shot was fired, or going to be fired, should be punished if apprehended, and it seems as if they could be easily caught. All that is needed is a little tact and energy on the part of Granite county officers. The eyes of the state are turned towards them and they are expected to do their duty without fear or favor. If it be necessary to hang a dozen men they should be hanged. Quigley is passing through the formative stage, and it will be better for the town, better for the state, if it be started aright. It cannot afford to have a reputation for lawlessness. There is a big sum of money invested, and many men find work there. All interested in the future of the town should join together in seeing that the law is and remains supreme.

The above opinion piece appeared in the Daily Missoulian on June 3, 1896.

Perhaps the most accurate report came from nearby Philipsburg. “Yank” was well known in that small western community and had lived there for many years. An article in the local newspaper, ‘The Philipsburg Mail’ told us that “Yank” was actually known as Sam Hing in Philipsburg.

Listen:

A CHINAMAN MURDERED

“Yank” Meets Death at Quigley by Persons Unknown.

Last Monday the town was startled by the news of the murder of “Yank,” the well-known Chinaman, at Quigley. The murder was committed between 12 and 1 o’clock Monday morning, and so far the persons who committed the crime have not been caught. From what can be learned from persons recently up from Quigley it is understood that “Yank,” or Sam Hing, had been notified to leave camp several times by workingmen there, but he would not do so, and the sequel of the affair is that he was found dead last Monday morning with a bullet hole in his head. It seems from what can be learned that the corners of his dwelling had been saturated with coal oil, about ready to ignite, when he heard a noise and got up, took his revolver and went to the door partly dressed and met his death. The shot was heard by two men in a tent near by, but they paid no attention to it: but the next morning saw the dead body of the Chinaman and notified Sheriff Johnson, who is at Quigley, of the occurrence. An inquest was held by Justice Proebsting, but no evidence was elicited leading to the detection of the murderers. The body was brought up to Philipsburg yesterday on the powder train and will probably be buried tomorrow.

“Yank” had been a resident of this part of the country for a quarter of a century and was thoroughly Americanized. He was known by everybody and was well liked. Expressions of regret have been expressed on all sides at the occurrence.

The above article appeared in The Philipsburg Mail on June 4, 1896.

Finding Sam Hing’s murderers never happened. Despite the efforts of Granite County Sheriff Johnson and officials from The Golden Sceptre Mining company, nobody was prosecuted and Sam Hing’s murder was never solved. One Missoulian article stated that Sam Hing made the mistake of coming to his door with a revolver in his hand. Union involvement was quickly denied. “Someone must have had a grudge,” one resident stated.

A bill noticed in the ‘The Philipsburg Mail’ on September 17, 1897 – a year later, stated the following:

In the matter of bill for $447.65 presented by Ex-Sheriff Levi C. Johnson for detective service and exxpence (sic) incurred in the case of Yank, Chinaman, murdered at Quigley, the board reconsidered its former action, and ordered a warrant drawn in his favor for $250 in full settlement of his bill . . .

Another notice in ‘The Philipsburg Mail’ in December, 1896 gave the following:

Dr. F – E. J. Canney, examination of body of Yank (Chinaman) . . . 10 00

The Philipsburg Cemetery furnishes no online record of Sam Hing.

Quigley also died shortly after Sam Hing’s murder. News accounts reveal that investors lost heavily on Quigley, and despite short-lived attempts to restart the mines, nothing significant occurred there again.

No mention of “Yank” or Sam Hing seems to be available in the annals of Montana’s history. It’s remarkable how unfortunate that is, since millions of words have been furnished about the people who made Montana what it is. Yet, no nearby artifacts bear his name, nothing such as a small creek, or a nearby gulch. No Mountain is named for him. Nothing to commemorate this brave soul, who was “well liked” and became “thoroughly Americanized” during the time he spent in America. How sad, Montana.