In January 1871, Wong Heng and his wife left San Bernardino for China. Their first stop was Los Angeles where they would wait for a steamer to take them to San Francisco. Wong Heng was a wash-house owner and had brought his accumulated savings for the trip. Upon their arrival in Los Angeles, Yo Hing accused Wong Heng of having informed on the men who tortured Sing Yu, and demanded Wong Heng compensate him. Wong Heng refused. Yo Hing had spent a large sum of money on lawyer’s fees and other expenses related to the torture trial. He had already falsely accused Que Ma of theft to prevent him from testifying. Next, he would accuse Wong Heng of theft as retaliation, and to perhaps to steal his savings.
On Monday January 23, Wong Heng and his wife boarded the train headed for Wilmington. They intended to take the Steamer California to San Francisco, but they were pulled off the train and arrested on a complaint sworn out by Yo Hing accusing Wong Heng’s wife of stealing $100. The following day, Yo Hing withdrew the complaint. But a new complaint was sworn out by one of Yo Hing’s men. This new complaint alleged Wong Heng borrowed $600, and a forged contract was presented as evidence. The court issued a writ of attachment and seized Wong Heng’s money.
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| Courtesy California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside. |
On Sunday January 29, an argument broke out in Negro Alley. The police were called and when they arrived they found about 200 Chinese equally divided on each side of the alley. Nearly the entire Chinese population of Los Angeles was present. Two of the head men were arguing loudly. Additional police reinforcements arrived and the crowd disbursed.
From March 4th through March 7th, a trial was held in Justice Gray’s Court. Chow Chee had recently arrived from San Francisco and was a member of the Hop Wa company. Yo Hing believed Chow Chee was sent by the Hop Wa company to defend Wong Heng. Chow Chee was falsely accused of paying Oh Hone (On Hone) $400 to kill Lee Yee (Lee Gee) and Quang Yee (Quong You). Judge Gray found a complete lack of evidence in the case and dismissed the charges. He also condemned the accusers, members of Yo Hing's company, to pay the court fees for their malicious prosecution. Yo Hing was furious and even more determined then ever to have vengeance.
Sing Yu
Marshal William Warren
The Torture of Sing Yu
The Carriage Event
False Accusations
The Abduction of Yut Ho
Commentaries on Chinese Prostitution
The Anatomy of Los Angeles in 1871
The Affray
The Chinese Massacre of 1871
The Aftermath
Analysis
Anti-Chinese Rhetoric
Anti-Chinese Violence
Anti-Chinese Sentiment In Advertising
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