Fong Ching,
alias Little Pete, as a Folsom prisoner in 1887
"Little Pete" came to San Francisco in
1874 at age 10. While still in his teen years, he started a shoe
business, but also got involved with local gangs. Pete became known
as The King of Chinatown. In 1886, a rival gang attempted to murder
Little Pete, but Pete's bodyguard was faster and killed the
assailant.
After Pete's bodyguard was arrested
for murder, Pete attempted to bribe the arresting officers with $400
each. Pete was arrested for attempted bribery. Pete hired noted
attorney Hall McAllister (now memorialized by McAllister Street) and
used the unusual defense of admitting the bribery attempt, but
claiming that the officers took the bribe and only arrested Pete
when Pete wouldn't give them more money. This defense won Pete two
hung juries, but he was convicted on the third try and sent to
Folsom Prison to serve five years. After his release, Pete took up
various activities including gambling, slave girl trafficking and
protection. In 1897, while Pete's bodyguards were attending a
Chinese New Year celebration, Pete was shot to death while sitting
in a barber's chair. He was 33 years old.
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