One hundred and forty years to the day since Chinese miners in Rock Springs were attacked and murdered, their descendants gathered near the site of the massacre. There they honored the memories of those who died and commemorated the event with the unveiling of a new statue called “Requiem.”
The bronze statue, which is over seven feet tall, depicts a Chinese miner standing among the ruins of Chinatown after it was looted and burnt down, his hands holding out a torn ceremonial dragon flag.
The “Requiem” statue depicts a Chinese miner standing among the ruins of Chinatown after it was looted and burnt down, his hands holding out a torn ceremonial dragon flag.
A large crowd gathered along Bridger Drive in front of the Washington School in Rock Springs early Tuesday morning, September 2, the anniversary of the 1885 massacre, to see the statue unveiled.
While the Chinese Massacre has been a dark stain on the history of Sweetwater County over the years, it has often been studied in an effort to learn from and not repeat the tragedies of the past. Exhibits from the Sweetwater County Historical Museum in Green River, the Community Fine Arts Center, the Rock Springs Historical Museum, Western Wyoming Community College and more have all dealt with the event and the history surrounding it.
Even now, an archeological dig is currently underway to excavate portions of historic Chinatown, with a hole in the field behind the new statue showing the layers of where Chinatown was built, where it was burnt, and where it was rebuilt again. Dudley Gardner has been actively involved in much of this history and archeology, and he recalled a celebration for the 100th anniversary of the massacre that took place at Western 40 years ago. Originally planned for a small room, the event spilled over into the cafeteria when over 300 people showed up, Gardner said.
Those who attended the “Requiem” statue unveiling were invited to see the ongoing archeological dig behind the statue, which reveals burnt timbers and house outlines from historic Chinatown.
This year, crowds came out in force once again, spilling over onto the sidewalk and across the street to recognize the 140th anniversary. The statue they came to see was the culmination of years of effort from several organizations and individuals in Rock Springs who wanted to create a lasting memorial commemorating those who lost their lives in the massacre. The statue unveiling was part of a larger ceremony that included special speakers, prayers, a lion dance by the Jung Hing Lion Dance Club, the traditional Chinese song the Mo Li Hua, and the reading of the names of the 28 miners killed in the massacre.
Jennifer Messer, the director of the Rock Springs Historical Museum, recognized and thanked many of the organizations, businesses, and individuals who worked to make their dream a reality.
“Today is an important milestone in how we all think, feel and understand the events of that dark time,” Messer said. “Today, we will honor the lives lost; acknowledge the deep determination of those who returned to Rock Springs; continue in our efforts to learn more about the Chinese men, women and children who made this place their home, however briefly; and enjoy the new family and friends that we have made in bringing this event together.”
Some of the family and friends that were instrumental in organizing the ceremony were Ricky and Grace Leo, who helped gather descendants of the original Chinatown residents and planned a multi-day event that led up to the statue’s unveiling. A group of over two dozen people came together for it, with Grace explaining that their friends traveled from all across the country to be there, ranging from California to New York.
A group of over two dozen people, many of whom are descendants of Chinese miners from Rock Springs during the time of the Chinese Massacre, traveled from across the country to attend the “Requiem” statue unveiling ceremony.
Ricky and Grace, who both spent time living in Rock Springs, spoke during the ceremony. Ricky explained that, despite having grown up in the area, he didn’t actually know about the massacre until six years ago.
“Just recently I found out how connected I was to the actual coal miners that lived and worked here,” he said.
Grace explained that she moved to Rock Springs in seventh grade when she didn’t speak any English. She admitted that she faced some difficulties and harassment, but said that overall she felt accepted, found wonderful teachers and friends who supported her, and could never feel any hatred toward the city or state, which she believes is a great place to live.
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the people in Rock Springs, Wyoming,” Grace said.
Ricky, Grace, and many of the friends who came with them also have other connections to the historical contributions of Chinese Americans, which were recognized by a special presentation of the Congressional Medal during the ceremony. Major General Robert Lee greeted the crowd with an “aloha,” noting he’d come a long way in order to present the medal to the Rock Springs Historical Museum. He explained that he was part of the committee that petitioned Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Chinese American veterans of World War II, honoring them for their service in all branches of the military and all conflicts of the war.
The medal was given to the Rock Springs Historical Museum, but it brought up another connection for Ricky and Grace. Grace explained that Ricky’s father had served in World War II and been awarded the Silver Star medal.
“He was a war hero, yet he was so humble that he never talked about it,” Ricky said, explaining his father served in the infantry during the Battle of the Bulge. “My dad carried a wounded comrade 500 yards through intense gunfire and saved his comrade.”
A Congressional Medal honoring Chinese American veterans of World War II was presented to the Rock Springs Historical Museum during the “Requiem” statue unveiling ceremony. Pictured, from left, are Major General Robert Lee, Ricky Leo, Grace Leo, and Jennifer Messer.
Some of those who came with Ricky and Grace’s group for the ceremony were veterans themselves, while others simply reflected on all the contributions and experiences of their family members over the past 140 years, both across the world and in Rock Springs.
Shuiman and Betty Lee spoke during the ceremony, specifically recognizing those who lost their lives in the Rock Springs Massacre. Betty explained the symbolism of flowers put out for the event. Yellow mums lined the sidewalk leading up to the statue, with a large flower arrangement at its base. Growing up in Hong Kong, Betty and Shuiman always heard stories about ancestors traveling to or from the “Golden Mountain,” which is how they refer to the United States. Betty explained that the yellow mums represented the path to the “Golden Mountain,” while the flower arrangement symbolized the 28 miners who were killed, with the yellow mums for them showing how they would never return to their home country.
“Today we honor the victims of these horrific crimes and injustice 140 years ago. Since that time, many Asian Americans are still being victims of hate crimes and scapegoating in this country,” Shuiman said. He pointed to the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. While acknowledging the ongoing problems, Shuiman also expressed optimism. “I do see a ray of hope, because I’ve seen the good people of all races have come together, including in this event, to denounce hate and to support the victims of such crimes.”
Attendees at the “Requiem” statue unveiling ceremony were given red envelopes which had a coin for prosperity and a candy for sweetness. They were then encouraged to fill the envelope with money and give it back to the ceremonial lion, which would “eat” the envelopes, an action that is meant to bring good luck.
Rock Springs Mayor Max Mickelson also spoke during the ceremony, reading a proclamation to recognize and honor those who lost their lives in the Chinese Massacre. He spoke to the need of learning from history in order to continually do better.
“I am a big believer that America has always been great, but it has not always been perfect, and what has made it great is that we learn from our mistakes, we learn from our wrongdoings, and we become better,” Mickelson said.
The artist behind the statue, David Allen Clark, also hoped that his artwork will help inspire this kind of change.
“I just hope that it bears some work for longer than our lifetimes…that there is more compassion, more understanding, and more justice to help make our communities better places in the future,” he said.
For Grace Leo, she sees that hope reflected in the statue itself, which Clark revealed was modeled after her husband Ricky.
“I want people in Wyoming and Rock Springs to remember the contribution of the Chinese community from the past as well as the present. And I want them to remember the Chinese people have a lot of hope,” Grace said. “That’s what the face of the statue has – hope. We hope to have peace, we hope to have prosperity, here in town as well as the whole country.”
- Green River Star first published the article.
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