Wong Chin Foo in Rochester, NY (1874)
U.S. History
"Childlike and Bland, Dark Ways: A Pious Chinee Learns the Ways of Civilization—His Vain Tricks in Rochester,"
The Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, IN), July 28, 1874, p. 6.
The heathen is making progress in the Christian land. An account of Wong Chin Foo in the Rochester Democrat shows that he can imitate the pious missionary dodge as readily as any other trick:
Several weeks since, Wong Chin Foo came to this city. He had been lecturing throughout the West and had acquired a wide reputation as a good person who was endeavoring to raise up his countrymen by the aid of the Christian religion. Nearly all of his lectures have been delivered in churches, and they have all referred to religion and China. His principal support has been derived from religious persons who have looked upon him as of great sanctity. He soon made the acquaintance of citizens here, and arrangements were made for his appearance at the Brick Church on the 12th inst. He lectured there. Just two weeks ago today, we published a long report of that lecture, and after it, he was introduced to the ladies and gentlemen and treated with great attention. He was looked upon as of great piety, a man who had suffered in a good cause, and, as he was poor, he was provided with a good sum, the result of a collection in his favor. He has lectured in several towns since then and intends to continue in the good work.
During his residence here, he has, however, wandered in paths he should not tread, and when he left town last Friday, he left behind him the materials of this article.
On Lancaster Street in this city, there is a house of pleasure kept by Miss Hall. It is situated somewhat back from the street and approached through a long alley. Through this passageway, on the evening of the 11th instant, two gentlemen—one of them, William Allen, who belongs somewhere in Ohio and who has acted as the agent or traveling companion of Wong Chin Foo for some time past, and the other a resident of Rochester—knocked at the door and were admitted. The only part of their visit to the house that is of interest as bearing upon this account was a conversation in which the long-queued gentleman from the Flowery Kingdom was referred to. It was said that he was quite anxious to visit the place.
A verbal invitation was sent to him, and about 21 hours afterward, a heathen Chinee might have been seen sneaking along Lancaster Street in company with Mr. Allen. His womanish garb, the hairline which dangled from his crown down his back, and his generally queer appearance did not attract the small boy simply because the small boy was—or should have been—in his little bed.
WONG CHIN FOO WAS THE HEATHEN.
He turned up the passageway and, when near the door, turned from the walk and secreted himself behind some bushes there. The other gentleman applied for admission. His summons was soon answered; he told his story. He was the ambassador of his royal highness, Wong Chin Foo, the exile from China. Could the heathen be admitted? Was the gaze of any curious eye turned upon the hallway?
He could come. No one was there to look upon him. From behind the bush came the man from China. He entered the house and passed into a room. The girls of the house entered the apartment. Among them was one named Irene, who is represented as a bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked beauty. She spoke to the stranger and he spoke to her. After a conversation, they left the room. Shortly after, Wong Chin Foo and his friend left the house together.
Wong Chin Foo left this city for Palmyra one or two days after, where we believe he lectured in a church. In the meantime, the girl Irene talked of nothing but the wonderful Wong Chin Foo—or as she affectionately called him, "Charlie." (The English of Wong Chin Foo is Charles King.) In a day or two, a letter came to her from Charlie, containing pet names, his photograph, etc. Another letter followed in a few days; this also brought a photograph and was of the same nature as the other. Both of them were mailed from Palmyra, Wayne County.
Then the Chinaman went to Newark, a small town beyond Palmyra and about thirty miles from Rochester. From there, another missive came, which reached its destination on Saturday, the 18th inst. It contained a photograph, which was the third one received from the ardent young man who was so deeply in love that he wished to keep himself constantly before his lady love's eye. Poor fellow.
During the evening of the day on which the letter was received, Irene, hearing that Wong was in town again, went into the street hoping to meet him. She did so. She sneaked through the ladies' entrance of a prominent hotel and went into a room which the heathen had engaged. Remaining there until nearly midnight, when she prepared to depart, she found that the ladies' entrance was closed, and there was trouble.
To escape detection was impossible. What to do, the poor heathen knew not. The key of the ladies' entrance was finally procured, and they were put out. It is said that Wong offered all his earthly possessions as hush money. Hotel men, however, are not liable to talk very loud when imposed upon in this way, so there was very little said about the affair.
THE BRICK CHURCH BOUQUET.
Among the other testimonials of regard which Wong Chin Foo received at the Brick Church after his lecture was a very beautiful bouquet. He was introduced at the church to several ladies, and one of them handed him, as a tribute of esteem, the beautiful flowers which had graced the pulpit and won the admiration of all during the evening service. He took it in his hand, thanked the giver of the beautiful gift, and, as he bended low in token of acknowledgment,
"His smile—it was childlike and bland."
The meeting broke up, and Wong Chin Foo departed. Within an hour afterward, Mr. Allen wended his way to the house before referred to, carefully bearing the bouquet. He placed it in the hands of Irene with the compliments of the heathen who had sent it to her. She bore them around the house during the night and told their story to all inquirers.
On the next day, Friday, Wong Chin Foo left this city for Farmington or Victor, Ontario County, where we understand he was to lecture in some church last night. On the afternoon of the same day, Irene packed her trunk and left. She said she was going away to live with Wong. She was to journey with the party, assuming the title of Mrs. Allen and pretending that she was Allen's wife. Where she went to is not exactly known, but it is believed that she followed Wong to Farmington.
Irene Newcomb is the assumed name of a young woman who came to this city in January last. She lived and is believed to have been born in Brockport. Her maiden name was Adelie Martin. She was married at Brockport several years since to Aloise Jesserer, with whom she lived there and a short time in this city. She has two children, who now live in Brockport.
Personally, she is represented as a beautiful woman; mentally, as a giddy, thoughtless girl, who has little or no self-control.
