User:RickGu/Tom

Tom Kim Yung (谭锦镛) (1858-1903) was a third ranked Wu Jinshi (武进士) of 1898, and one of the Qing Guangxu Emperor's bodyguards.. He arrived Washington with the new Chinese Minister Liu Cheng on 26th, March, 1903 as a military attache of the Chinese Legation at Washington.

Death[edit]
On September 10, 1903, Tom was arrested near the Chinese Consulate by Police Officers John H. Kramer and Joseph Brodt. He faced charges of battery and committing an indecent act and was subsequently released on bail.

On the afternoon of September 14, 1903, after missing dinner, Tom was discovered in a room with two gas jets left open. He had a faint heartbeat when initially found, but a doctor who arrived later confirmed his death. Tom left few letters to his family and friends, and expressed his deep disgrace over the arrest and the insult he suffered at the hands of the police. In the letter, he indicated that the unjust accusation had severely damaged his reputation, which he could not endure.

After his death, Tom family host a large-scale traditional Chinese funeral for Tom Kim Yung in the Consulate on 23, September. Part of the funeral was recorded as a short film.

Effect and Investigation[edit]
Tom's death garnered significant attention from both the Chinese and U.S. governments. Chew Tszchi, the First Secretary of the Chinese Legation, arrived on September 27, 1903, to conduct an investigation, backed by credentials from the State Department. Chew mentioned that as a diplomatic personnel, Tom was entitled to diplomatic immunity and should not have been arrested.

An inquest was held on October 5, 1903. Several Chinese witnesses testified that Officer Kramer had assaulted Tom and used violence towards Tom. "He was met by Policeman Kreamer in full uniform, who took hold of him rudely and made an Improper remark in pigeon English. The Colonel shook off the policeman's grasp with an angry gesture, whereupon Kreamer struck him a severe blow in the face, knocking: him orone on the sidewalk. Then Kreamer, placing two fingers in his own mouth, whistled for another policeman, who was near by. The Chinese witnesses nearest the scene called upon Colonel Tom to get away from the officer and escape into the Consulate and he struggled desperately to do so, but could not break away from his captors."--Testimony from Chinese witnesses, San Francisco Call, Volume 94, Number 128, 6 October 1903, Page 2 For a later inquest on 10th, October, the Police officers initially declared to refused to attend the inquest. However, subpoenas were issued to Kramer and other police witnesses, mandating their testimony. The detailed accounts from the police witnesses during this inquest remain undisclosed. Following this session, the jury concluded that Tom's death was a suicide.

On January 29, 1904, for further investigation, the Police Commissioners convened to hear the testimonies of John H. Kramer, Joseph Brodt, and others, then the transcription was sent to the Secretary of State at Washington. "The arresting officers. John H. Kramer and Joseph. Brodt, testified to having been sent in plain clothes on the night of September 10 to raid an opium resort at 711 Stockton Street, when circumstances arose that compelled them to place Tom Kim Tung under arrest for violating one of the city ordinances. The Chinese, who was a tall, powerful man, resisted arrest and another officer and two citizens had to help them before the handcuffs were placed over his wrists. No unnecessary j violence was used. Lieutenant 'Gleeson, the" officials at' the City Prison and others testified to the Chinese being ugly and violent, and they all denied that there was any blood or bruise on his face. He was released from prison within a few minutes after his arrest, and it was not known who he was till after his release, for he gave the name of Con Chin. Gleeson further testified that the secretary of the Chinese. Six Companies came to him shortly after the arrest and was very anxious that the case should not be taken into the Police Court."---Testimony from the Police witnesses, San Francisco Call, Volume 95, Number 61, 30 January 1904 In February, the Police Commissioners issued their final judgment, stating that Tom's arrest was justified. They ruled that the two police officers bore no responsibility or connection to Tom's death.