On Gold Mountain: The One-Hundred-Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family

by Lisa See

  “Yeah, yeah,” interrupts Joanie, John’s wife. “Engineer.” She adds tentatively, “I studied in a South China teaching college. Teach middle school for five years.”

  Choey Ha, who’s been listening to this foreign exchange, rattles off some words to Chen Mou. “The older generation does not want to go America,” he translates. “They are too old. But they would like the younger generation to go abroad. They would like to provide opportunities for their children. Their children are smart and hardworking. They would have more opportunities over there.”

  Chen Mou’s eyes narrow at this turn of conversation. He’s been expecting the next question for some time, as have I. “Will you sponsor this couple to help them go to America?”

  “I’ll try.”

  How about Chen Mou? Is he interested in leaving China? “Frankly, I am a rich young man in China,” he says, grinning. “If I go to America, I would have to go to middle school, then university. I would be forty before I graduate. Then I would need a girlfriend, then a wife, then one or two children, then I would die. Here, in one or two more years I’ll be able to buy my own house. Yes, it’s a much smaller life, but I don’t want to spend my precious years in university.” He shrugs. “Different people, different lives.”

  We gather, like countless other families before us, on a low platform in front of the White Swan’s famed waterfall in the atrium. The golden characters above the gushing water proclaim, “Drink of the village of your birth.” We go through another round of those impossible family group shots. Of course, the camera’s batteries die and there’s that universal awkwardness that always happens when someone (in this case me) wants a picture desperately and everyone else (in this case my relatives) wishes the whole thing were over. With the photographs out of the way, Chen Mou says good-bye, slings his overnight bag over his shoulder, and heads out to meet a Taiwanese tour group.

  I am left alone with the family for the first time, and we struggle to communicate with a combination of Le Chu-wa’s elementary English, improvised hand gestures, and drawings in my notebook. Do you like it here? What is it like in Los Angeles? What is a supermarket? How much did the airline ticket cost? With promises of letters back and forth about sponsorship (which will never get anywhere), family history, and photographs (of my children and the last two days), we shake hands, and bow our heads politely. They turn and walk away. I make my way back through the thronging tour-group lobby of the White Swan, where I overhear a slick tour guide instructing a driver on the intricacies of the English language. “Let me take a look.” “Let me see.” “Please take a look.” “Follow me.” As I walk past, the guide stops me and asks, “What does the phrase ‘my heart goes out to you’ mean?”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I must first thank Florence Leong, who offered this story to me; and her daughter, Leslee Leong, who gave me information on the F. Suie One Company, put me in contact with old customers, and, most of all, acted as an unwavering source of support. On the See side of the family, Mary See, Marcia Norris, Pollyanne Andrews, Gilbert Leong, Margie Hee, and Bernice Leung contributed greatly to this family saga. From my great-grandfather’s second family, Chuen and Teruko Fong, Yun Fong, and Sumoy Quon, as well as Mari Burr were equally frank. Fong Yun’s family was also willing to speak—both here and in China. In the United States, I am indebted to Danny Ho Fong, Haw Fong, Choey Lon Fong, Choey Lau Fong, Gim Fong, and especially Kuen Fong. In China, Fong Ming Tia and Zhumei-ying, Guan Yi Nian, Le Chu-wa and Wen Xi Pin, Guan Gin Hong, and especially Fong Choey Ha were hospitable, informative, and kind. Although Tyrus Wong is not a blood relative, he might as well be. He has been a true friend to our family.

  I wish to acknowledge the many customers, relatives, and friends who consented to be interviewed: Dorothy Anderson, Edward Behme, Jack Catlin, Henry Chung, Kay Copeland, Tony Duquette, Howe Fong, Peter Fong, Bernard Gelbort, Sanora Babb Howe, Dorothy Jeakins, Jackie Joseph, David Lee, Jennie Lee, Jack Levin, Herman Lew, Mary and Dill Louie, Chong Lui, Chabo Okubo, Sally Pine, Verna Plam, Procter Stafford, Sunny Stevenson, Albert Wong, Elsie Wong, George Wong, Helen and Tommy Wong, Michael Woo, and Wilbur Woo. In addition to personal interviews, many people wrote letters filled with their reminiscences: Dick Beck-Meyer, Ellin Crawford, Ron Cribbs, Betty Izant, Bettie Pycha, Leland Steinhauser, Helen Stevens, Doris Crepin Suman, William Benbow Thompson, Thomas Edward Wall, and Donald Way.

  Several libraries and institutions proved extraordinarily helpful in my research. The sections on Letticie’s family in Medford are present here because of the incredible persistence of Carol Harbison of the Southern Oregon Historical Society. For my Waterville research, I am grateful to Shirley Phillips, librarian of the Waterville Library; Helen Grande, librarian of the Douglas County Historical Society; and Cassie Besel, who took it upon herself to look things up out of the kindness of her heart.

  I must also thank the wonderful people at UCLA Special Collections, the Asian American Studies Center at UCLA, the Asian American Studies Library at UC Berkeley, the Bancroft Library, the Los Angeles Public Library, the Chinatown Library, the Library of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Sacramento History Museum, the California State Archives and Museum Collection Center, the USC Regional History Center, the California State Library, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Bison Archives, and the Railroad Museum in Sacramento. My appreciation further extends to Clarence Shangra (curator of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco) and Randall Mackinson (curator of the Gamble House in Pasadena). Suellen Cheng of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument tirelessly answered questions, suggested people to interview, and helped sort through both the Society’s and El Pueblo’s large holdings—including numerous articles, dissertations, and books. She also introduced me to the wonders of the Southern California Chinese American Oral History Project, which was compiled by the Society and the Asian American Studies Center at UCLA. I consider Suellen a true friend.

  My deep gratitude goes to Waverly Lowell and Neil Thomsen at the National Archives in San Bruno, and Laura McCarthy at the National Archives in Laguna Nigel, who together changed the course of On Gold Mountain. They unearthed close to five hundred pages of immigration documents, interrogations, and photographs of my family.

  Since I am neither a historian nor an academician, I have relied heavily on the works of Sucheng Chan, Jack Chen, Alexander McLeod, Ronald Takaki, and John Weaver. Several others have unhesitatingly offered bits of knowledge: Mark Him Lai (for information on the underwear business), Judy Yung (who graciously sent me articles by Flora Belle Jan, the Chinese flapper), Mus and Stephen White (who offered their expertise in dating old photographs as well as access to their extensive photographic library), Jack Moore and Harold Hubbard (for information about Pasadena at the turn of the century), Roberta Greenwood (who shared with me her knowledge, time line, and extensive report on the archaeological excavations of Old Chinatown), Nancy Moure (for advice on the Los Angeles art scene of the 1920s and 1930s), Will South (for his research and insights into the career of Stanton MacDonald-Wright), Gretchen Kreiger (for her knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine), Russell Leong (for last-minute data on Chinese Americans in the 1990s), and, finally, Ruthanne Lum McCunn (who unwittingly set this whole project in motion and, having done so, often offered advice and leads).

  Amy Schiffman and Rob Lee handled the fate of another aspect of this story with good humor and common sense. Nancy McCabe supported and pushed the project with passion and devotion. Stan Margulies and Terry Louise Fisher continue to amaze, inspire and thrill me with their visions.

  A project like this could not go forward without keeping an eye to the details. For these, I am obliged to Chen Mou (in China) and Shirley Tarn (in Los Angeles) for their translation services; Marian Lizzi for her attention and good words; Professor King-kok Cheung and Suellen Cheng (again) for helping me devise a modified system of Wade-Giles for the Cantonese words; Lisa Chang and Ann Britt Claess
on for research, errands, and word processing. Sheila Cohn at APA Travel made my numerous trips on this side of the Pacific both adventurous and smooth, while the helpful staff at Lee’s Travel Service made sure I made it to the home village.

  Ultimately this book is the result of a blending of my parents—an anthropologist and a writer. My father, Richard See, has been both a critic and an enthusiast. I thank him for his insights, his papers, his hours of interviews. As for my mother, Carolyn See, I have spoken to her almost every day for the last five years about this project. She has been a constant inspiration. (For those readers who feel that her story has been given short shrift in these pages, I refer them to her book, Dreaming: Hard Luck and Good Times in America.) I appreciate my parents’ bravery, trust, and frankness. While I’m at it, I must also thank John Espey, another “father” and old China hand; Clara Sturak, sublime sister and meticulous editor; and Stella See, wonderful grandma and tantalizing storyteller.

  I’m grateful to Thomas McCormack, my editor at St. Martin’s, who has shown himself to be patient, intelligent, a gentleman. Sandra Dijkstra, whose help started long before she became my agent, has balanced grace and iron, humor and commiseration, a soft heart and a hard business mind. She’s the best. My husband, Richard Kendall, has gallantly encouraged me while I fretted and worried. My final thanks must go to my cousins Sian and Mara Nichols, and my sons Alexander and Christopher Kendall, whose bloodlines, youth, and sweet spirits kept me focused on the real purpose of this book.

  SOURCES

  CHAPTER 1. THE WONDER TIME

  Author’s interviews with Chuen Fong, Danny Ho Fong, Haw Fong, Kuen Fong, Gilbert Leong, Florence Leong, Leslee Leong.

  Buell, Paul D., et al. Chinese Medicine on the Golden Mountain: An Interpretive Guide. Edited by Henry G. Schwarz. Seattle: Wing Luke Memorial Museum, 1984.

  Burkhardt, V. R. Chinese Creeds and Customs. 3 vols. Hong Kong: Publications Division, South China Morning Post, Ltd., 1953–58.

  Chan, Sucheng. This Bitter-sweet Soil: The Chinese in California Agriculture, 1860–1910. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1986.

  Chen, Jack. The Chinese of America. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1980, 23, 67–72.

  George, Marian M. A Little Journey to China and Japan. Chicago: A. Flanagan Co., 1928.

  Gunther, Barth. Bitter Strength. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1964.

  Holden, William M. Sacramento. Fair Oaks, Calif.: Two Rivers Publishing Co., 1987, 290.

  Johnson, Paul C. Pictorial History of California. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1970.

  Kingston, Maxine Hong. China Men. New York: Vintage, 1977.

  Leland, Dorothy Kupcha. A Short History of Sacramento. San Francisco: Léxicos Press, 1989.

  McCunn, Ruthanne Lum. An Illustrated History of the Chinese in America. San Francisco: Design Enterprises of San Francisco, 1979.

  McLeod, Alexander. Pigtails and Gold Dust. Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton Printers, 1947.

  Mei Dai Wah and Wu Gee Chuan. The Stories of Chinese Americans, vol. 7. Foshan, China: Foshan Wen Shih Magazine. Department of History of the City of Foshan, 1987.

  National Archives, Record Group 85: Fong See—25503/1–1.

  Reid, Daniel P. Chinese Herbal Medicine. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1990, 10.

  Sacramento Bee. Sacramento Guide Book. 1940.

  Southern California Chinese American Oral History Project, cosponsored by the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California and the UCLA Asian American Studies Center: Nellie Chung.

  CHAPTER 2. EXCLUSION

  Author’s interviews with Chuen Fong, Kuen Fong, Florence Leong, Richard See.

  National Archives, Record Group 85: business file, Sacramento—13542/74; Fong Quong—10157/51; Fong See—25503/1–1; Fong Yun—23852/2–15; Ray See—18889/2–2.

  Beebe, Lucius, and Charles Clegg. The American West: The Pictorial Epic of a Continent. New York: Bonanza Books, 1955.

  California State Archives and Museum Collection Center, Registry of Partnerships.

  Chan. This Bitter-sweet Soil. (See Sources, chapter 1.)

  Chen. The Chinese of America. (See Sources, chapter 1.)

  Childers, Lida, and Ruby Lacy. Ashland Tidings. Self-published. Ashland, Ore., 1990.

  Chiu, Ping. Chinese Labor in California: An Economic Study. Madison, Wise: State History Society of Wisconsin for the Department of History, University of Wisconsin, 1963.

  Genaw, Linda Morehouse. At the Crossroads: A History of Central Point. Self-published. Central Point, Ore. June, 1986.

  Genealogical Forum of Portland, Oregon. Genealogical Material in Oregon Donation Land Claims, vol. 1, 1957.

  Gillenkirk, Jeff, and James Motlow. Bitter Melon: Stories from the Last Rural Chinese Town in America. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1987.

  A History of Eagle Point and Surrounding Communities, Vol 1. Self-published pamphlet. Eagle Point, Oregon.

  Holden. Sacramento. (See Sources, chapter 1.)

  Jackson, Donald Dale. “Behave Like Your Actions Reflect on All Chinese.” Smithsonian, February 1991.

  James, Walter. Unpublished interview by Mark Him Lai, Laura Lai and Philip Choy on August 16, 1970. Information on Gwing Yee Hong from interview with Bing Lai, M. H. Lai’s father, March-June 1967.

  Leland. A Short History. (See Sources, chapter 1.)

  Loomis, Reverend A. W. “How Our Chinamen Are Employed.” Overland Monthly, Jan.-June 1869.

  McCunn. An Illustrated History. (See Sources, chapter 1.)

  Mei and Wu. Stories. (See Sources, chapter 1.)

  National Archives, Record Group 85: business file, Sacramento—13542/74; Fong Quong—10157/51; Fong See—25503/1–1; Fong Yun—23852/2–15; Ray See—18889/2–2.

  Peterson, Martin. Drawing courtesy of the Southern Oregon Historical Society.

  Sacramento Bee. Sacramento Guide Book, 1940.

  Sandmeyer, Elmer Clarence. The Anti-Chinese Movement in California. Urbana: University of Illinois, 1973.

  San Francisco Bulletin, 22 February 1876; Sacramento Record Union, 22 June 1876; Grass Valley National, 11 June 1869. Bancroft Scraps. Bancroft Library, University of California Library.

  See, Richard. “A Comparison of Reaction in California to the Chinese, Japanese, and Drought Refugees from 1850–1940.” Unpublished paper, UCLA, circa 1956.

  Takaki, Ronald. Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans. Boston: Little, Brown, 1989, 88, 103, 122, 128.

  Wong, Cynthia. “The Clothing Industry.” Unpublished paper, Asian American Studies Library, University of California, Berkeley, 1973.

  CHAPTER 3. LOVE

  Author’s interview with Florence Leong.

  Childers and Lacy. Ashland Tidings. (See Sources, chapter 2.)

  Democratic Times, Jacksonville, Ore. June 1894.

  Genaw. At the Crossroads. (See Sources, chapter 2.)

  Jackson County (Ore.) marriage records, 1895.

  Jackson County (Ore.) school census, 1893.

  National Archives, Record Group 85: business file, Sacramento—13542/74; Fong Quong—10157/51; Fong See—25503/1–1.

  CHAPTER 4. LO SANG

  Asian American Studies Center, University of California, Los Angeles, and Chinese Historical Society of Southern California. Linking Our Lives. Los Angeles: Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, 1984. Referred to subsequently as Linking Our Lives.

  Author’s interviews with Pollyanne Andrews, Roberta Greenwood, Gretchen Kreiger, Gilbert Leong, Florence Leong, Leslee Leong, Richard See, Stella See.

  Bingham, Edwin R. “The Saga of the Los Angeles Chinese.” Master’s thesis, Occidental College, May 1942.

  De Falla, Paul M. “Lantern in the Western Sky.” Historical Society of Southern California, Annual Publication 42, no. 1 (March 1960).

  Engh, Michael E., S.J. Frontier Faiths: Church, Temple and Synagogue in Los Angeles, 1846–1888, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1992.

  Greenwood, Robert
a S. “Cultural Resources Impact Mitigation Program Los Angeles Metro Rail Red Line Segment 1.” Report submitted to the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission, December 1993.

  Guinn, J. M. “The Plan of Old Los Angeles.” Historical Society of Southern California, 1895.

  “Indecencies in Cemetery,” Los Angeles Daily Times. 11 December 1902.

  Kwok Lo Kwai. Useful Manual for the Use of Traders in China. Hong Kong: Man Yu Tong, 1895.

  Lee, Mabel Sam. “Recreational Interests and Participation of a Selected Group of Chinese Boys and Girls in Los Angeles, California.” Master’s thesis, University of Southern California, 1939.