On September 15, 1903, a mob of white men from the labor union went to Chinatown, demanding that all the Chinese leave Tonopah. Later that day, they destroyed the buildings in Chinatown and chased out the residents. Chong Bing Long, who owned a laundry mat, was 60 and unable to escape—the mob took him into the desert, where they beat him and left him to die.
Several people involved in the murder and destruction of the property of the Chinese were arrested, then let go. Despite involvement by the Chinese embassy, the men went unpunished. The case became an example of the legal inequities faced by the Chinese.
Chong Bing Long was buried outside the cemetery. Over the next four years, six more Chinese were buried alongside him. Sometime after 1907, a mine covered the graves with tailings.
The historic photo is of Sing Lee Chinese Laundry in Tonopah.
Las Vegas Nevada State Museum. Notice anything wrong with their description?
Rob and J K says
Glad someone made the memorial even if it’s disproportionately small given how much labor the Chinese put into these areas. Thank you for another well researched entry
Tami says
The area is very fortunate to have Allen at the museum who has made the markers at but the Tonopah and Goldfield cemeteries.