The Murder of Yank

 The June, 1896 headlines in the Philipsburg Mail, Quigley Times and Rock Creek Record were the murder of “Yank’ the Chinese laundryman. Yank, whose real name was Sam Hank had been a resident of Granite county for a number of years before he located in Quigley. He first lived with Ed Moore and although received threats from some in the community was left to his work. Also the threat of Ed Moore using his Winchester on anyone that bothered Yank helped keep him safe.

Some time after the threats Yank bought a lot in the Quigley town-site and erected a small one room building to ply his trade in. He was found on June 1st by two carpenters who had heard a muffled shot during the night but did not investigate it. These same carpenters went over to Yank’s the next morning and found him dead. Yank had a bullet wound in the top of his head and was partially clothed on the floor. A half full can of coal oil was found about one hundred feet from the building. Three corners of the building were soaked with coal oil (Kerosene), causing the assumption that Yank surprised someone intent on burning down his building. 

Justice E. L. Proebsting was to conduct the investigation according to the Times. Yanks body was taken to Bonita on Wednesday morning by Charles Dinsmore and transferred to the express company for transport to Philipsburg where he was turned over to his “celestial brethen” for burial. 

The final supposition was who ever did the deed, had planned on soaking the corners of the building with coal oil and setting it on fire. This would cause Yank to run out the front door and leave town. Bur apparently, Yank heard the men and grabbed his Bull-gun and started outside to see what was going on. 

 Because of the feelings about the Chinese during this time period, I was unable to deduce much more about the investigation of his murder except that Sheriff Levi Johnson and Judge Nicholas Connolly traveled to Drummond the next week to hear the coroners report and Judge E.L. Proebsting had resigned his position that same week according to the Quigley Times. 

 Information available states that Sam was threatened several times while living in Golden before he decided to set up his business in Quigley. He was survived by a brother in Deer Lodge and another in San Francisco. They were both members of the Chinese Six Companies according to the June 5, 1896 Quigley Times. 

The only other references regarding Chinese and probably referring to Yank was a short excerpt from The Missoula Evening Republic published in the June 5, 1896 Mail: Chinese are a nuisance in a community, and if by peaceful means they can be driven out, it is a proper thing to do. Murder and arson, however, are none the less criminal when a celestial is a victim. The guilty men in the Quigley affair deserve vigilante justice. 

The following resolution was published on June 6, 1896 in the Rock Creek Record: Whereas, It having come to our knowledge that a Chinaman, known by the name “Yank”, who was conducting a laundry in Quigley, was foully murdered some time during the night of May 31, 1896; and Whereas, we have heard, with deep regret, it rumored that this union was in some manner responsible for his being killed; therefore be it Resolved, By Quigley Union No. 6696, American Federation of Labor, in special meeting assembled, that we denounce the rumor as false. Resolved, That while this union, desiring to rid the camp of “scab” labor, does not believe in underhanded work; and denounces the murder as the work of a coward. Resolved, That this union is willing, nay anxious, to cooperate with the authorities in ferreting out the cowardly assassin, and will give said authorities all the aid in its power in furthering the ends of justice. Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this union, and a copy be handed to the Anaconda Standard, Missoula Missoulian and Rock Creek Record, with a request that the same be published. Signed Committee on Resolutions. 

 Sadly, research does not produce any further comment about Sam’s murder. The resolute continued working in Granite county. In 1901 there were the following licensed for business in Philipsburg: Woo Hee (Laundry), Wah Lee (Restaurant), Woo Kee (Merchandise), Yick Sing Lung (Merchandise), Quong Lee (Laundry), Yuen Lee (Peddler), Wing Wah (Laundry), Sing Chung (Restaurant) and Tom Sing (Restaurant). The Philipsburg Mail, July 15, 1932, stated Tom Yen, who died July 14th was the last Chinese to live in Philipsburg. 

The Granite County Historical Society has marked the Chinese section of the Philipsburg Cemetery.