Sing Yu

The origin of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 starts in San Francisco over one year before. It’s there a member of the See Yup company purchased a 20 year old Chinese girl named Sing Yu (or Lon You) for $340. Sing Yu, is brought to Los Angeles to work as a prostitute. There are fewer than 200 Chinese living in Los Angeles at that time; approximately 80% are men. Most of the Chinese women are chattel.

Sing Yu appears to be at the center of a conflict that would lead to the attempted assassination on Yo Hing and the killing of Robert Thompson.  A short time after Sing Yu was brought to Los Angeles, the See Yup company fracturd into three smaller companies. Hong Chow Company, headed by Yo Hing, Nin Yung Company, headed by Sam Yuen, and Hop Wo Company.

On Tuesday, August 23, 1870, Sing Yu disappeared from her brothel on Negro Alley. Sing Lee, a merchant and member of the See Yup company, swore out a warrant before Justice Gray for the arrest of Sing Yu. He claimed she was in possession of jewelry worth $700. Sing Lee also offered a reward of $100 for her return. The reward served to motivate law enforcement to prioritize the search for Sing Yu over other matters. On Thursday, City Marshal William Warren and Deputy Sheriff Bud Bryant arrested Sing Yu at the home of Juan Chinco, on First street, between Los Angeles and Main streets. The Daily News reported that Juan had been offered $200 by a Chinese man to abduct Sung Yu and deliver her to Visalia. Sing Yu was discharged Saturday, and Juan was discharged the following Tuesday. Neither was prosecuted. In the meantime, Sing Lee swore out a second warrant, this time against Ah Chew and Ah Chung, who he accused of being the real abductors.

Two months later, on Friday, October 14, Sing Yu (Lon You) was reported missing again. A warrant was again issued for her arrest. Sing Lee published a card in the Daily News offering a $100 reward.

The search for Sing Yu led officers to Wilmington, and from there to Anaheim. At Anaheim, it was discovered that she hired a Mexican with a carriage turnout to take her to Ventura. Marshal Warren and Constable Jose Redona proceeded to Ventura, while Constable Joseph Dye telegraphed Ventura with information about the warrant for Sing Yu.

On the morning of Monday, October 31, Warren and Redona returned from Ventura with Sing Yu in custody. She had been arrested a short time before their arrival by the local marshal in Ventura. Marshal Warren would again claim the reward, but this time, it would cost him his life.

Sing Yu
Marshal William Warren <-----Continue here
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