BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WKBT) — It’s a story that took nearly 80 years to finish. With the help of local historians and community members, Black River Falls closes the tale of the first Chinese laundryman in town.
In a small town, some stories are passed down from generation to generation.
“People can live in a community their entire life and not really know much,” said historian Paul Rykken.
You’ll find others hidden behind stacks of files and newspaper clippings.
“There’s thousands of stories in those communities,” Rykken said.
Rykken’s father was a Lutheran pastor in the 1960s.
“He had an elder parishioner named Chris Olsen,” Rykken said.
Officiant Thorwald Rykken spoke at the funeral for Olsen’s wife, creating a bond between the two men. As a kid, Rykken spent many years at Olsen’s home.
“He never told me the story of Yep Ging,” Rykken said. “My father did though.”
Yep Ging — the Chinese laundryman.
“He became very well known in the community. He was apparently a very kind man who worked very hard,” Rykken said.
The story of the only Chinese laundryman of Black River Falls would remain a tale to Rykken for several years, until he had a conversation with the historian at Black River Falls library, Mary Woods.
“In those 28 years, there’s probably not a story that has touched my lives more than the story of Yep Ging,” Woods said.
A story without an end.
“When I asked where is Yep buried, [it] said he’s buried in an unmarked grave,” Woods said.
The unmarked grave and the tale tied to it inspired Woods and Rykken to fill in the blanks.
“He was one of the first businessmen downtown to have a gramophone. He wanted to have music playing when people came in,” Rykken said.
“Yep was known for liking the winter sun,” Woods added.
Ging’s story — a puzzle — pieced together word by word.
“He just became more alive to us,” Rykken said.
That wasn’t the end for Woods and Rykken, it was making sure that Yep Ging will never be forgotten. Donations from the community placed Ging’s name where it belongs.
The tale of the Chinese laundryman spans generations.
“I did know Chris as young man. My own father died nine years ago,” Rykken said. “So certainly, I was feeling nostalgic as I did it.”
Nearly 80 years later, the final chapter of this small town tale is etched in stone.
“Nobody should be forgotten. Nobody,” Woods said.
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