San Francisco Call, Volume 71, Number 178, 27 May 1892 — THEIR OLD FRIEND GONE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THEIR OLD FRIEND GONE.

Chinese Consul Bee Dies Suddenly on Sunsome Street. Stricken With Heart Disease, He Falls to Bise No More- A Few Facts in His Ca-reer-Flags Half-Mast in Chinatown. Colonrl Fredrick A. Bee, for many years his imperial Chinese ilnjesty's consul for California and adjacent .States, died suddenly in front of L. G. Sresovich'a fruitstore, ou Sansome street, near Clay, a few minutes before 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. ISo quick was his attack and so rapid his taking off that those who witnessed his unfortunate end could hardly real:?.-* that death had summoned him from his earthly W;.lk*.

Colonel Bee had just left the Customhouse, and going up Washington street he turned into Sansome, stopping for a few seconds in front of Sresovich'a store, as ho wa3 in the habit of doing every time he passed the place. About four feet behind him walked Chtancey M .St. John, bookkeeper for theSui veyor of the Port. When Consul I'ee arrived at tlin store he reached forward toward a big bunch of bananas which hung suspended from tho awning over the sidewalk. Suddenly lie staggered and before Mr. St. John could catch him

he fell forward on the sidewalk breathing heavily. When Consul Bee fell a number rushed to his as»Ntane« and inquired of him what was the matter. But he sjicke not, for the hand i f death was upon him. Mr. St. John, assisted by Colonel J. F. Evans, special agent of t'.'t* Treasury and Attorney Thomas A. Kiurdan, who bad lust arrived on the teene, carried Consul Bee into the.officeol Mr. Sresovicb," where every elTort was made to revive the unfortunate gentleman. Consul Bee's face Hushed, and he opened his mouth as if to speak, then his head fell back, and it was bood apparent that the old Consul had goue to join bis Muker.

The hour being the one for the on"! - : the various Federal department.? to leave the c, ■ md Appraisers' butldinz, a great many of them were soo?; gathei the sidewalks iv the neighborhood discussing ti.e sudden end ( f one wb< se face was fßiii.ar to all of them, there having been hardly a d y for many years which failed to bring t:.o presence of the tall, trim 00l . There was sadness iv that gathering, dsul Bee, notwithstanding bis office, was much respected by federal officials for Failing coortesy and personal charm nner. It could hardiy bo believed :>'ath had carried off lh« representai ut v few moments before he appeared to have been iv the best of health.

The Coroner's office was notified, nnd a deputy shortly afterward removed the body. Ar; autopsy revealed the fact that organic disease of tho heart caused death. It is a singular DCidenee that Consul Bee's i£e met death several years ago in ■ similarly sudden and unexpected way. The remains of tho Consul were sent to Qimy'i undertaking parlora for prepareineni for interment; but at a late hour were removed to his late residence ou Pino street, r.e;ir Laguna. isul Frederick A. Bee was born in Clinton, Oneida County, N. V., iv 1825, his parents being of English and Scotch descent. AH?r going through a regular academic cotuse, lie studied law, nnd was duly admitted to the bar. lie waa a pioneer. Attracted by the gold fever, he prune around the Horn in the ship Elizabeth Ellen, reaching California in August, 1849. Immediately on his arrival he repaired to the mine.s and prosecuted that industry in various counties In the State up to 1855. It was in El >rado County in tlm yenr that Consul Bee first disclosed his sympathy for the nese. A number of t!i<-ni weie at the rui-^es in this county, and in many instances were roughly treated. Colo&el Bee assisted therr in maintaining their rights, and for hi.< defense of the persecuted oolies was rewarded with the position of paid at. torney of the Chinese in California. This position he k'jt fir 37 ypara. In IS7G a Congressional committee met in this city to iuvesUgete tbe Chineso question. So great was the feeling against tbe Chinese that no attorney eonld be persuaded to defend the Chinese before the coinmitte'v. Oliver P. Morton, the great war Governor of Indiana, was chairman ol the committee. In response to a request from Chairman Morton Consul Bee agreed to defend tho Chinese side of the case. For the defense and the ability he displayed in tho case the Emperor of China tendered Colonel Bee tho position of Chinese Consul at Sao Francisco, a position lie maintained till the day of his death, lie subsequently was decorated three limes by the Chinese Government for - • -r v es rendered, and made a mandarin of tha second denrpe. Tho last time he was decorated was when he secured (217,000 indemnity from tbe United States Government for outrages committed upon the Chinese at Koek Springs, Colo. For some yean Colonel Bee was dean of the foreign consular corp?. Consul Bee rendered good servico to the Chinese during his long occuuancy of that oflicp, and In return enj lyed a good salary. Although he acted for a prosciib;d ia<«', his personal sterling qualities always saved bin from beln^ visited with reproacb, f< r he represented tho best Chines? element, and w:is always willIng to assist in rontroliing and punishing the highbinders and other Chinese lawbreaker?. Personally his life was above reproach, and bla domestic life is described by those who know him well to have been a happy one. Although he made 13 trips across the continent he never once failed to take his wife. After her death several yean ago he is said never to have been the same man, but tv have only performed his business in a perfunctory way, and to have acted like one a part of whose life had passed away. Consul Bee leaves one son, Frank M. Bee, aged 40 year*, who runs a ranch in Contra Costa Count}-. His other surviving relatives are rs. Everett Bee and a nephew with whom ho lived on Pine street ever sine* the death of his wife.

Although Colonel Bee wns reputed to bo very wealthy his legal adviser stated last night that tiis entire fortune would not exceed $35,000. The funeral will not take place tili Sunday or Monday next. Considerable speculation was indulged in lastevenine as to who would succeed to Consul Bee's office, as the position was said to be a fat one, reaching way into the thousands. The names of Attorneys T. D. Kiordan and Lyman I. Mowry were mentioned most prominently as tho probable successors of Consul Bee, they being most intimately acquainted with the duties- of the office, besides having actrd for many yjars as attorneys for the Chinese. Attorney Itiordan was scon last evening, and a3ked about the matter, lie said there was no present necessity for a wliito Consul to represent the Chinese. Tt.c office was only created to reward Consul Bee for services rendered. If any appointment were made It would be made by the Chinese Minister at Washington. The Chinos had left a Consul-Genera), and a Vice-Consul, Mr. King. Attorney Binrdan believed that if anybody wore appointed it would be only to a subordinate position. The attorneys could represent the Chinese in the courts, aud the attaches of the Chinese legation were familiar with all consular duties. Fur himself he did not desire tue position and would not take it it offered to him. At the Chinese legation the Consul-Gen-eral could not be seen last night, and tho

subordinates refus >d to talk on the r.ubjpct of Consul 8.-b's successor, saying they did n<>t know. Tho flag of tin- consulate and Hags on v.'irious houses iv Chinatown were nt half-mast a half uour after Cousu! Bee'j death. ■_m , —

Con«u; F. A. Bee.