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Period: to
Years 1860-1914
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Angel Island
Arrive at Angel Island at age of 20. Name changed from Yao Chang to Victor Chang. I want to start a new life and earn money for my family. I have two younger brothers (ages 11 and 10) and a mother. Sold silk clothing to earn money. -
New Friend
Faced lots of discrimination. No one treated me nicely. Met fellow Chinese man and said that he's going to Washington to work on the railroad. The fellow man's name is Mike Wang -
Job at the Railroad
Arrive at railroad in Washington. There are lots of men in poor clothing and tired faces. Immediately assigned to a station. Mike is stationed just next to me and we talk about our families back at home. -
Day Working on the Railroad
Coldest day so far, way below freezing. Mike gets hypothermia and dies. No one else seems to care except for me. Lots of American and Irish men at our station. -
Injury
Large piece of metal lands on my foot. Instantly broken and am lucky that it is taken into care. Cannot work for the next month. Lucky my foot was taken into care, but only because our station was running low. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Family is not able to immigrate from China. Had finally earned enough money from work to start a living with family, but now I will have to be alone. -
Moving
Finally have earned enough money to start a home. Has been eight years since starting work at the railroad. Decide to leave Washington and get land in Montana.
