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The Story of a Chinese Immigrant
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Coming to America
My name is Cheong Wong. I am from Hong Kong, China and I am 32 years old. Today, I passed through the Castle Garden immigration station in Manhattan, New York. I can't believe I am finally here! Many people are fleeing China right now because our government is failing and there is a war going on. There is hardly any work or food. America provides an opportunity for me to get a job and send money to my family that is still in China. -
Farewell Manhattan
Since I moved here in November, I have worked in many factories. Luckily, factory owners are open to hiring people of Chinese descent. In America, we are known for our strong work ethic. Even though Manhattan has provided me with work, it is crowded, rundown, and dirty. I have been forced to live in a filthy tenement. For weeks, I have heard rumors from men in the factory that there is gold in California. I am going to move west so I can live in a better place and maybe strike it rich! -
Meet in the Midwest
I'm sitting on a train right now with all my belongings (clothing for all different types of weather, keepsakes, money, dishware for trading). The train is headed to Missouri, where I will board a wagon train and travel the California trail. -
The California Trail
The wagon train is leaving in a matter of hours! I arrived in Independence a few days ago and have passed time by trading with other settlers. I traded my expensive dishware for a wool blanket and money. The trip to California is expected to last between four and six months! Currently, my greatest fear is getting sick. Some of the diseases going around in the west are deadly. -
The Sierra Nevadas
I have made it to the Sierra Nevadas, the gold fields of California. We endured plenty of hardships on our way here. Some travelers fell ill with measles. Medicine cured most, but a few did not make it. Also, an Indian raid caused settlers to lose many of their precious belongings. Everyone who survived the journey is glad that it is over, including me. I am anxious to start mining! -
Go for the Gold
After trekking into the mountains, I met another group of miners. They are from China, just like me! However, they arrived in San Francisco when they immigrated to America, not Manhattan. They have warned me that the white miners are very competive. We have decided to work in a group for protection. Also, we are going to mine in areas that are not very popular. This way, there will be less confronation and less people will have picked over the gold. -
Mining Massacre
Today, four men from my mining group were killed. The white miners approached us and began yelling, telling us to get off their territory. Before we could run, they started attacking. There were four deaths and many severe injuries. I am lucky that I didn't get wounded. An act in California was passed that prevents a Chinese person from testifying against a white person. That will cause problems for me if I get hurt. I haven't had much luck mining, so I am going to move to San Francisco. -
Chinatown
When I first got to San Franciso, it reminded me a lot of Manhattan. The only difference was that the living conditions were nicer. I discovered Chinatown, an area in the city where people of my nationality are settling. I felt safe and happy there. Then, I started searching for work. Tables have definietely turned since my days in Manhattan. Factories are discriminating against the Chinese and I can't find any work. The only job I've had is at a cigar factory, where pay is terrible. -
Winter on the Railroad
The Central Pacific railroad company is willingly hiring Chinese people. I took a job a few weeks ago and it is hard work! The snow is heavy and I have frostbitten hands. Also, I dropped a large crate of supplies on my right leg yesterday. I think I may have fractured a bone. Not to mention, my body is suffering the usual soreness from the intense labor. Even though Central Pacific is hiring Chinese, we are still discriminated against. White people receive free meals, but we do not. -
World Record
I made it through a treachorous winter and have been working on the railroad nonstop. Today, our group set a world record for the fastest track-laying. We laid 10 miles of track in 12 hours! The transcontinental railroad is nearly complete. Knowing this, I am proud, relieved, and upset all at once. I won't miss the painful labor, but unfortunately, I will be out of work again. Perhaps I will be able to afford some land now and won't need to get a job. -
Free Land
Thanks to the Homestead Act of 1862, I was able to claim land for free! Now I can buy supplies to build a farm on my land and send money to my family! I contacted my relatives in China and encouraged them to immigrate. They told me that they didn't want to move until next year because they know that wagon trains leave in April. I explained that the transcontinental railroad allows you to move west at any time, so they don't need to worry. America is not all I expected, but I'm glad I came. -
Bibliography
Bibliography:
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