American Life Histories
Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project
1936-1940

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A CHINESE LAUNDRY AT A BARGAIN SALE
(Washington)

Folklore

Circumstances of Interview

STATE - Washington

NAME OF WORKER - Verna L. Stamolis

ADDRESS - P.O. Box 112, University Station, Seattle, Washington

DATE - Dec. 20, 1938

SUBJECT - Pioneers

1. Name of informant - Mrs. H. Scovile

2. Date and time of interview - 12 noon, at Manning's Restaurant

3. Mrs. Scovile and I happened to sit at the same table, and in some way began talking and I learned that she had lived in Seattle during the early days. I asked her if she would tell me some reminiscence.

Personal History of Informant

STATE - Washington

NAME OF WORKER - Verna L. Stamolis

ADDRESS - P.O. Box 112, University Station, Seattle, Washington

DATE - Dec. 20, 1938

SUBJECT - A Chinese Laundry

NAME OF INFORMANT - Mrs. H. Scovile

1. English

2. Place of birth - England, 1863

3. Family - three children

4. Places lived in - Bellingham, Washington, and Seattle, Washington

5. Special interest - gardening

6. Description of informant - An English type; stoutish, round-faced, rosy complexion. Interested in everything going on.

A CHINESE LAUNDRY AT A BARGAIN SALE

"What I remember best about the early days in Seattle in the Chinese riots in 1886.

"My husband came home one Sunday morning and told me an officer from the Home Guards had come into the church and commanded all the men to report for duty at once.

"There were a number of Chinese in Seattle then, some running laundries, others having cigar stores, and so on. The people of the town had become incensed at the idea of Orientals being allowed to carry on business when Americans needed work.

"The Committee of Fifteen had told the Chinese that they must go, get out of town, by a certain date. A steamer from San Francisco would be in the harbor on that date, and they must go aboard.

"The Chinese began selling off their goods and equipment. My husband and I decided to buy a laundry. We knew nothing about the laundry business but we thought we could learn.

"We bought the laundry and all the equipment for almost nothing, and opened for business. We prospered, the business grew fast, and we never regretted buying a laundry at a bargain sale."

Text from: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers' Project Collection