Chinese Community

Lore & Background

The majority of Chinese immigrants came to the Hills for business ventures, though a few participated in the Gold Rush. Chinese immigrants were known for reworking old mining claims after white settlers had moved through, extracting gold that white prospectors had left behind. Their ability to make a profit was often criticized by white miners who accused them of claim and sluice box thievery, though some miners and Deadwood citizens praised the Chinese and exhorted white miners to learn from them.

A major economic force was the laundry or 'washee houses.' In 1880, the occupation of laundryman was the highest listed job in the entire county at 110 individuals, the second highest being mining at 39. Most Chinese establishments charged 25 cents for a shirt and profits could reach as much as 10 dollars daily. In response to Chinese success, a territorial law was passed in 1887 to limit ownership of laundries to 'American Citizens or those intent on becoming one.'

In response, many Chinese announced their intention to become citizens and stopped paying licensing fees in protest. These legislative acts did little to curb Chinese dominance; in 1892, 8 out of 9 listed laundry outlets were still owned by Chinese individuals.

Reader's Guide

The Chinese Community in Deadwood functioned as a distinct economic and social unit within the chaotic town structure. Unlike the overtly political factions, this group operated primarily through survival and commerce. They organized fire fighting 'Hose Teams' and participated in races and rallies during July 4 festivities to show which Chinese team was better. These interactions helped overcome aspects of segregation.

Collective living was practiced among the Chinese community and helped unify the entire Deadwood community. Culture and customs were important for Chinese individuals to confront an unfamiliar environment in a different, foreign country. De facto segregation occurred as a mechanism to deal with this unfamiliar environment, yet Chinese individuals still participated within the larger Deadwood community economically and culturally. There was a lack of central family units since immigrants were mostly male.

The mentality was to further individual economic growth. Business owners like Wong Fee Lee, who owned the Wing Tsue Emporium, and Hi Kee, who owned the Hi Kee Company, provided articles to maintain traditional ways of Chinese life, customs, and ceremonies while in the United States, including imported silk, tea-making supplies, sandals, and egg-shell chings.

Did You Know?

• In 1880, the occupation of laundryman was the highest listed job in Lawrence County at 110 individuals, with mining second at 39.
• A territorial law was passed in 1885 to limit laundry ownership to 'American Citizens or those intent on becoming one,' but by 1892, 8 out of 9 listed laundry outlets were still Chinese-owned.
• Fee Lee Wong, also known as Wing Tsue, had his building loan default in 1915 and it was bought by the bank in Deadwood; he died in China in 1921.
• In 1898, two Chinese men opened the Dublin Hotel, which the Black Hills Daily Times called 'a first-class hotel in every respect,' charging twenty-five dollars a month for room and board.