The Shadow Trial of Ah Jim

There was great excitement among the Chinese of the city last evening, and for a time a bloody scene was threatened between two factions of the highbinder element. A man named Ah Jim was accused by Ah How of informing customs officers of the arrival of four of their countrymen. Last evening, he was given a hearing before the Seattle branch of the 'Six Companies' of San Francisco. He was found guilty as charged and fined $15. Ah How is one of the smartest men on the coast and formerly employed by Henry L. Yesler, but now operates a business on Washington Street. Ah Jim, a newer arrival from San Francisco, is associated with Gee Lee, a merchant on Jackson Street. Because of the competition in the smuggling and transportation of laborers, a fierce rivalry has developed between the Washington Street and Jackson Street factions. Whenever a group of smuggled Chinese arrived, a 'steerer' would secure tickets, bribe officials, and pilot them to the depot. Last Thursday, four men arrived from across the British boundary and were met by Ah How, who placed them on a Northern Pacific train at the Grant Street bridge. Customs officials later intercepted them at Spokane. Ah How, enraged by the arrest, blamed Ah Jim for informing the authorities. The trial was held at 8:00 p.m. in a hall over Wa Chong’s store on South Fourth Street. About 300 men gathered, and despite Ah Jim’s protestations of innocence, the fine was levied. Afterward, a mob armed with knives and rocks awaited Ah Jim outside, until an inspector escorted him to safety at Gee Lee's store.