The State Democrat Friday, January 20, 1899
DEATH OF JOHN LEE
John Lee, the Chinese laundryman, died Tuesday forenoon at the county hospital. He had made his home at this institution for about two years past and during that time was a sufferer from consumption. His death was hastened by an attack of the grip which developed into pneumonia.
He was one of the first settlers in Aberdeen, and in the early days made and saved considerable money in the laundry business. About five years ago he got a Chinaman named Lung Chung to come here from China to assist him, as he was getting too old and in too poor health to continue his business alone. One morning a few months after the arrival of Lung, John discovered that his partner had gone and had taken with him $1,500 of his hard earned money. As a consequence when John became too feeble to work he became a county charge and remained such until his death.
John was a very generous Chinaman and a great favorite with the children who used to visit him daily, and few if any, ever went away without a little gift of money. He was probably missed more by the children than by the older people. Withal he was a very good Chinaman. His greatest desire was to be buried in his native land, but the loss of his money prevented it and he was laid to rest in Riverside, last Wednesday.
~Transcribed by volunteer researcher, Kathy Smith