Volume 025-2 - April 1971 (5 pages)

was aiso the resuit of inheritance. The once chaotic gold mining town had evolved into a relatively more stable community andestablished more direction in regards to social standards. Economically, the growth of Northern California was substantial. Furthermore, the diminishing Chinese population appeared less and less of the threat that they once posed. Therefore, while the process of handing down the customs of early immigrants was still evident, more contact and exchange with the white population also occurred. The everyday habits of the Chinese reflected gradual changes, yet retained a decisive old flavor. The physical appearance of the individual Chinese demonstrated this trend. After fifty years in California, the male. still shaved his forehead, leaving long bra~ ids hanging down the back. The barber in the heart of Chinatown was there just for this purpose. But, their everyday attire resembled the white man’s as they were dressed in a denim jacket and trousers. The old widebrimmed, connical topped, reed hats were, for the most part, dispensed with. Tucked away in the closet were the old high collar jackets that were worn only for special occasions. Also, Chinese names given their children have interesting meanings and here are a few: Kan Bow Fung is Alice Tinloy, means ‘‘TreasuredPheasant’’. Oyung Choy Mingis George Oyung, means ‘‘Bright Day’’. Kan Gee Duk is Patrick Tinloy, means ‘‘Get Things Wanted’, Oyung Chow MuChoy is Susie Oyung, means‘“‘Wealth’. Kan Gee Sung is Douglas Tinloy, means ‘‘Success’’, Lee Gum Oy is Laura Lee Gouge, means ‘‘Gold Love. Here is one for you to look up; Gin Yuen Chung pictured on page 5. Editor NCHS Bulletin. the Chinese of Grass Valley continued to speak Cantonese, adding enough English to their vocabulary to get by in their contact with the white community. An early example can be illustrated when Ah Jake was brought to trial on a murder charge. He stated in English, ‘Talk him lie. He help Wah Chuck; No like me-that two men kill him-he like him; catch me.’ Ah Ting, the only witness to the incident, could speak no English and an interpreter was required to translate his testimony. The social structure of the Chinese community contained touches of the Confucian order of living, even around the turn of the century. The merchant continued to play the most dominating role as he had in past days in Grass Valley. For example, John Tin Loy, proprietor of Quong Chong Company, was designated the position of ‘the most influential individual in local Chinatown...’ as late as 1912. Quong Chong and the other Chinese merchant stores in Grass Valley served several functions. First, they supplied the local Chinese with traditional foods and artifacts. Quong Chong sold herbs, winter melons, roast pig, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, dried fish, rice, abalone, mushrooms, and other delicacies. Many products were supplied by San Francisco wholesalers such as the Wo Kee Company (which {s still in existence today). The. special goods, that were imported from China, were shipped railway express by way of San Francisco. Secondly, as a place for relaxation, the merchant stores provided a virtual center of activity. Mah-jong, fan-tan, and lottery tickets were all engaged in, within the confines of the merchant store. In addition, the smoking of opium was a regular practice in the backrooms of Quong Chong. Oriental workers often spent their noon hours enjoying the comforts of one of the bunks and a pipe full of the drug. Also, the merchant store was a place for the old Chinese to gather and reminisce CHINATOWN GRASS VALLEY’ S CHINATOWN ABOUT 1928 Grass Valley’s Chinatown was between Bank and Colfax Ave along Wolf Creek. The main street or center of town is shown with the Joss House on the left. eiceoune ine Ly The site is marked at present about times that had since passea, If weather permitted, a group ofelderly men could be found just outside the doorway (see Plate 1). Thirdly, the merchant store acted as a financial instituation as well. Many ofthe Chinese farmers brought their earnings to the merchant for safe keeping. There were no receipts or deposit books, just the good faith that existed between both parties that were involved. In addition, the Quong Chong Company bought’some gold from the population at large, and later sold it to the government mint. Fourthly, Quong Chong also assumed the role of an employment bureau. Recent immigrants from China, in search of work, would contact the merchant. Inearlier days, the foremen from as far as Timbuctoo and Downieville would contract Gon Tin Loy (father of John) for a specified number of laborers to work on the railroad or at one of Chinatown were vegetable gardens. a historical marker. pyoto; atvin DILTS the mines. John Tin Loy also found employment for some Chinese in domestic work and in other types of manual labor in Nevada County, and placed many in a brick factory between Grass Valley and Gold Flat. This practice was discontinued in 1916 or 1917. Some changes from traditional Chinese customs were seen in family life also. Around the turn of the century, the Chinese had partially adopted ancient styles and partially new. The family structure remained intricate, but whole clans never did live together as many are led to believe. Several families might temporarily share a_ building. Also, while the male retained his dominating role, indications point out that his wife played a less subservient part, having a sort of veto power. Since they made up only four percent of the total U.S. population from 1890 to 1900, the woman’s position ascended. Her role was also increased to help 3.

was aiso the resuit of inheritance. The once chaotic gold mining town had evolved into a relatively more stable community andestablished more direction in regards to social standards. Economically, the growth of Northern California was substantial. Furthermore, the diminishing Chinese population appeared less and less of the threat that they once posed. Therefore, while the process of handing down the customs of early immigrants was still evident, more contact and exchange with the white population also occurred. The everyday habits of the Chinese reflected gradual changes, yet retained a decisive old flavor. The physical appearance of the individual Chinese demonstrated this trend. After fifty years in California, the male. still shaved his forehead, leaving long bra~ ids hanging down the back. The barber in the heart of Chinatown was there just for this purpose. But, their everyday attire resembled the white man’s as they were dressed in a denim jacket and trousers. The old widebrimmed, connical topped, reed hats were, for the most part, dispensed with. Tucked away in the closet were the old high collar jackets that were worn only for special occasions. Also, Chinese names given their children have interesting meanings and here are a few: Kan Bow Fung is Alice Tinloy, means ‘‘TreasuredPheasant’’. Oyung Choy Mingis George Oyung, means ‘‘Bright Day’’. Kan Gee Duk is Patrick Tinloy, means ‘‘Get Things Wanted’, Oyung Chow MuChoy is Susie Oyung, means‘“‘Wealth’. Kan Gee Sung is Douglas Tinloy, means ‘‘Success’’, Lee Gum Oy is Laura Lee Gouge, means ‘‘Gold Love. Here is one for you to look up; Gin Yuen Chung pictured on page 5. Editor NCHS Bulletin. the Chinese of Grass Valley continued to speak Cantonese, adding enough English to their vocabulary to get by in their contact with the white community. An early example can be illustrated when Ah Jake was brought to trial on a murder charge. He stated in English, ‘Talk him lie. He help Wah Chuck; No like me-that two men kill him-he like him; catch me.’ Ah Ting, the only witness to the incident, could speak no English and an interpreter was required to translate his testimony. The social structure of the Chinese community contained touches of the Confucian order of living, even around the turn of the century. The merchant continued to play the most dominating role as he had in past days in Grass Valley. For example, John Tin Loy, proprietor of Quong Chong Company, was designated the position of ‘the most influential individual in local Chinatown.....’ as late as 1912. Quong Chong and the other Chinese merchant stores in Grass Valley served several functions. First, they supplied the local Chinese with traditional foods and artifacts. Quong Chong sold herbs, winter melons, roast pig, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, dried fish, rice, abalone, mushrooms, and other delicacies. Many products

were supplied by San Francisco wholesalers such as the Wo Kee Company (which {s still in existence today). The. special goods, that were imported from China, were shipped railway express by way of San Francisco. Secondly, as a place for relaxation, the merchant stores provided a virtual center of activity. Mah-jong, fan-tan, and lottery tickets were all engaged in, within the confines of the merchant store. In addition, the smoking of opium was a regular practice in the backrooms of Quong Chong. Oriental workers often spent their noon hours enjoying the comforts of one of the bunks and a pipe full of the drug. Also, the merchant store was a place for the old Chinese to gather and reminisce CHINATOWN GRASS VALLEY’ S CHINATOWN ABOUT 1928 Grass Valley’s Chinatown was between Bank and Colfax Ave along Wolf Creek. The main street or center of town is shown with the Joss House on the left. eiceoune ine Ly The site is marked at present about times that had since passea, If weather permitted, a group ofelderly men could be found just outside the doorway (see Plate 1). Thirdly, the merchant store acted as a financial instituation as well. Many ofthe Chinese farmers brought their earnings to the merchant for safe keeping. There were no receipts or deposit books, just the good faith that existed between both parties that were involved. In addition, the Quong Chong Company bought’some gold from the population at large, and later sold it to the government mint. Fourthly, Quong Chong also assumed the role of an employment bureau. Recent immigrants from China, in search of work, would contact the merchant. Inearlier days, the foremen from as far as Timbuctoo and Downieville would contract Gon Tin Loy (father of John) for a specified number of laborers to work on the railroad or at one of Chinatown were vegetable gardens. a historical marker. pyoto; atvin DILTS the mines. John Tin Loy also found employment for some Chinese in domestic work and in other types of manual labor in Nevada County, and placed many in a brick factory between Grass Valley and Gold Flat. This practice was discontinued in 1916 or 1917. Some changes from traditional Chinese customs were seen in family life also. Around the turn of the century, the Chinese had partially adopted ancient styles and partially new. The family structure remained intricate, but whole clans never did live together as many are led to believe. Several families might temporarily share a_ building. Also, while the male retained his dominating role, indications point out that his wife played a less subservient part, having a sort of veto power. Since they made up only four percent of the total U.S. population from 1890 to 1900, the woman’s position ascended. Her role was also increased to help 3.