Sing Lee (1873-1917)

LEE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Representative February 27, 1917 (page 1)

County Correspondence

STORY CITY

MURDER OF SING LEE

Mr. Sing Lee, a Chinaman who has run the Story City laundry for the past twenty years, was found dead and probably murdered in his bedroom Thursday noon.

After several people had tried to get into Sing Lee's place of business they inquired about him of Gehard Larson, the owner of the building. Mr. Larson found the doors all locked but finally with the help of others broke in the door and found Sing Lee with a bullet hole through his head. He was shot through the left temple and the bullet was found in the east wall. His arms were at his side and comforters were up to his chin which proved it was almost impossible for him to kill himself. The 38 caliber revolver was laying by his bed on the floor.

The Coroner and sheriff at Nevada were notified. An inquest was held Thursday afternoon by the coroner Z. Z. Propst. The jury consisted of Rev. C. D. Wendell, E. G. Wiggins and J. C. Johnson. They gave out the verdict that our laundryman was killed by an unknown hand.

A Chinaman who was visiting Sing Lee a short time ago known as his Cousin, told Mr. Larson Sing Lee was sick and he should let him know if anything should happen to him. It is reported that a Chinaman got on at Ames and off at Randall the night of the murder. The Cousin was arrested when he arrived in Story City, but neither the conductor or brakeman could swear that his was the fellow that was on the train. After several debates by the officers of this city the cousin was set free for lack of evidence. The whole case is a mystery and it will be hard to work out unless they get fellowmen of our laundryman.

Sing Lee was a man that the people of Story City liked, a man that attended to his own business and bothered no one. He supported his parents, his wife and child with his earnings.