Saun Lee Lewis of Salem[1]

Is a picture worth a thousand words?  In November 1904, Saun Lee Lewis stepped into the Cronise photography studio in Salem for a portrait sitting.  For $2.50 he had his likeness immortalized by chemicals on a glass plate – a photographic negative now housed at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland.[2]  His picture provides an intricately detailed view of the man – down to the dirt under his fingernails, the smooth texture of the bamboo leaf motif on his silk top paired with rough pin-striped trousers, short spikey hairs shaved at the front part of his head and forthright gaze.  The intimate visual details of the portrait lie in stark contrast to the sparse paper trail he left in the traditional historical record.  Who was Saun Lee Lewis really? What can we piece together from the few crumbs of documentation we do have?

According to the 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Saun Lee Lewis immigrated to the United States from China in 1882.  If the date recorded on the census is accurate, he was just a teenager when he arrived, about 17 years of age.[3] 1882 is also a significant year, as it marked the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act –a 10-year ban on Chinese-born laborers immigrating to the United States.[4]

What he did and where he lived between immigration and when he shows up in the Marion County census of 1895 are some of the bigger gaps in the paper trail.[5]  We do know, thanks to customs forms and a brief newspaper article, that he traveled back to China in 1898 in search of a wife.  The forms also offer a brief glimpse of what his life was like in Salem at the time.  In paperwork signed by the Collector of Customs for the District of Willamette (and future Oregon Governor) Isaac Lee Patterson there is a notarized biographical statement:

I, Saun Lee Lewis, a resident of Salem, Marion County, Oregon…desire papers permitting me to return to China for a period not exceeding one year.  My age is 31 years, my weight is 140 pounds; my height five feet, three inches.  I have property of the value of over $1000.00, consisting of 2 horses…1 wagon…1 set harness….plows, harrows, cultivators and garden utensils…80 bushels of wheat…400 bushels of potatoes…150 bushels of oats…3000 pounds of dried onions…apples, grapes and garden truck….100 chickens, 6 hogs, 9 geese…10 tons of hay…household furniture, household supplies and supplies for operating a farm, and I have due me from Sam Hee four hundred and fifty dollars.

Attached to this document is an “I.O.U” note from Sam Hee, a description of Saun Lee Lewis as a “gardener” with a “scar on cheek near mouth,” and a snapshot.

A few clarifying notes.  The term gardener here may be a bit deceiving.  Anybody with 400 bushels of potatoes is no backyard, hobby gardener.  He was more likely working as a truck farmer – a specialist in vegetables that are grown to be sent to market elsewhere.[6]  As you can guess from the 1898 context, the “garden truck” he mentions likely has nothing to do with a pickup, but rather his produce.  Given the value of the property listed here, he had been very busy during the missing years of documentation, amassing a lot of agricultural infrastructure.  You’ll note, though, that his asset list does not include any land.  At this time, as man born in China, he was denied citizenship and barred from owning real estate of his own[7] — which is unfair in its own right, but also frustrating for historians as land records are a primary way of putting individuals into spatial context in our community’s history.

Leaving from the port of Portland in October 1898, Saun Lee Lewis returned on the ship Columbia on May 13, 1899,[8] without his wife.  The Capital Journal newspaper reported he arrived a few days later in Salem “from Hong Kong, China, where he went to get married.  Saun looks hale and hearty and had a fine time but was unable to bring back his wife on account of laws over which he had no control.”[9]  In fact, U.S. laws starting with the 1875 Page Act[10] made it very difficult for Chinese women to gain entrance to the U.S.[11]  The resulting gender imbalance in Salem was marked.  Even by the 1910 US Federal Census, women made up less than 15% of individuals of Chinese heritage living in Salem.[12]  It is unclear from the record if Saun Lee Lewis ever saw his bride again.  Perhaps one of those cabinet cards ordered from the photo studio was intended to be mailed back to her?

The next glimpse of Saun Lee Lewis’s life comes thanks to some extraordinary peaches, which he grew and delivered to the office of the Oregon Statesman newspaper at the beginning of August 1900.  Measuring nine inches in circumference, the paper gives us the first hint of an address stating he “conducts farming operations and gardening on Brown’s Island.”[13]  This is the first of a series of mentions associating Saun Lee Lewis with Brown’s Island[14] – which gives the second half of today’s Minto Brown Island Park gets its name.  In a brief description about a trip to Portland in 1905, we get a few more details about his farm and his early experiences in Salem:

He has all the Whitaker land, the Boone land and the Croisan hop yards rented now and is a veritable king of the island.  He works 10 to 20 hands [hired helpers], and runs two vegetable wagons to the city.  He began as a poor working boy for George Whitaker, has worked hard, and developed considerable business ability.  He uses as much as $10,000 a year bank funds to carry on his operations with, his word is considered as good as gold.  He has avoided litigation by always going and consulting a lawyer when he had any business of importance.[15]

Over the next few years, the few clues we have are found in want ads in the paper.  Notices of a saddle pony and sewing machine for sale and request for hop pickers for 110 acres all directed to Saun Lee Lewis at 179 High Street.  In addition to, or maybe instead of his farming business, it looks like he may have got into hops brokering, labor contracting and secondhand sales – although that is just a guess from the nature of the want ads displayed.[16]  The change in occupation would have made strategic sense if he was trying to change his status from laborer to merchant.  Merchants had greater privileges under the Chinese Exclusion Act and successive renewals.

In any case he appears to have been wearing a lot of hats.  A Saun Lee Louis shows up in the 1909-1910 Salem City Directory, listed as a porter for the Collins & Hamilton saloon and restaurant.  The 1910 U.S. Federal Census lists him as a General Merchant.

By 1917, it appears he had officially branched out into the restaurant business, his name being listed as the proprietor of at least at least 6 separate establishments over the next 4 years.  His first restaurant foray, the Saun Louie lunch counter, operated in the basement of the Oregon Building – the depot for the Oregon Electric Railroad and offered sugar and cream rice bowls, noodles, mush, coffee, donuts, all kinds of sandwiches, short orders and soft drinks.  At the height of WWI, he is listed as one of several Salem restauranteurs who pledged to observe “meatless Tuesdays” and “wheatless Wednesdays” in an effort to save on food to help the war effort.[17]

He also was at the receiving end of a lot of legal trouble and physical attacks during these years. In 1918 he was sent to jail on the charge of his cider being “too ‘hard’” (this was the height of the prohibition movement) but acquitted by a jury who determined it wasn’t intentional.[18] Just a few weeks later he was sent to the hospital with broken ribs after an altercation at his restaurant.  The news reports are sparse, but a fight broke out when a patron spoke some words “of which were a decidedly uncomplimentary nature.”[19]  Saun Lee Lewis pressed charges claiming he was beaten up with no provocation.[20]

In one of the more bizarre stories, Saun Lee Lewis was arrested in April 1921 because of a milk test.  At the time, state law required milk to contain at least 3.2 percent butter fat.  The State Dairy and Food Commissioner found Saun Lee Lewis’s milk tested at less than 3.2%.  Saun Lee Lewis was indignant, demanding a jury trial, which he was granted.  His ire was understandable given the subtle hint the newspaper dropped that Saun Lee Lewis was the only person arrested in the “sting” operation.  The case was eventually dismissed.[21]

Saun Lee Lewis’ paper trail goes cold after the November 7, 1921 sale of his Ferry Street restaurant, despite the promise to patrons that he would open up when he found another location.[22]  Even stranger, after hours of searching I couldn’t find a death certificate, notice of travel back to China, nothing.  He just vanishes.

Article researched and written by Kylie Pine.  A version of this article was submitted to the Statesman Journal for publishing in April 2023 by author.  It is reproduced here with citations and further resource information for reference purposes.

 Restaurant Timeline

Date Range	Name	Address	Fare
Feb 1917 -May 1918	Lunch counter	Basement of the Hubbard Building (a.k.a. Oregon Buidling/O.E. Depot)	Bowl rice, mush, coffee, doughnuts, noodles, All kinds of sandwiches, short orders, and soft drinks
May 1918 -Jan 1920	Saun Louie’s Restaurant	138 High St	Chicken Dinner
Jan – Feb  1920	Blue Bird Café	163 S. Commercial	Lady waitresses
May 1921	Cherry City Depot Restaurant	Near OE Depot	Noodles, Chop Suey.  Open all day.
Sept 1921	White Cloud Tea House	110 ½ N. Commercial	American Style
Sept 1921	Saun Louie Lunch Counter	Oregon State Fair	Ice cream soft drinks, noodles, rice and pork, all kinds of sandwiches
Oct 1921 – Nov 1921	Saun Louie	420 Ferry	Quick Lunch – Chinese Dishes

Selected Transcribed Sources

**Please note that these are transcribed from newspapers written at the beginning of the 20th Century.  We have not censored language and some words used will be offensive to today’s readers.**  Note also links included may be to subscription database sites.

“An Attachement Suit.” Capital Journal 06 Jan 1904 pg 5
In the justice court last evening Mark Savage filed a suit against Sam Lee Lewis, a Chinaman, for the recover of $140, alleged to be due.  An attachment was issued, and Constable Lewis seized two bins of potatoes and five head of hogs, located on Brown’s island above this city.  The case will probably be settled this evening.

“Personals.” Capital Journal 8 March 1905 Oregon Historic Newspapers
Saun Lee Louis, the Brown’s island gardener, has been to Portland on a visit, and returned last night.  He has all the Whitaker land, the Boone land and the Croisan hop yards rented now and is a veritable king of the island.  He works 10 to 20 hands, and runs two vegetable wagons to the city.  He began as a poor working boy for George Whitaker, has worked hard, and developed considerable business ability.  He uses as much as $10,000 a year bank funds to carry on his operations with his word is considered as good as gold.  He has avoided litigation by always going and consulting a lawyer when he had any business of importance.

“Help Wanted – Miscellaneous” Oregon Statesman 16 June 1906 pg 7
Hop pickers wanted to register for picking coming crop.  Leave names and number of pickers at 179 South High treet [sic], Saun Lee Louie Co., 110 acres in all.

Ad.  Capital Journal 02 April 1908 pg 5
For Sale—Good Saddle Pony, with cart and harness. Saun Lee Lewis, 197 High St.

Capital Journal 03 Apr 1908 pg 3
Wanted – Man and team to work on ranch one month.  Enquire Same Lee Lewis High ST. phone 456

Man Wanted. Oregon Statesman 28 Apirl 1908 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)
Man Wanted to work in hopyard.  Apply 179 High Street. Saun Lewis.

“For Sale.” Oregon Statesman 23 May 1908 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)
Good sewing machine, typewriter, dining table, cheap.  Apply Saun Lee Louis, 179 High St.

“For Sale.” Oregon Statesman 05 Jul 1908 pg 13 (Newspapers.com)
Team and harness, also Smith Premier typewriter and new sewing machine.  Saun Louis, 179 High Street.

“Hops at 21 Cents.” Morgning Register (Eugene) 16 Sept 1909 pg 2
It remained for a Salem dealer to thit the top legitimate purchase price for hops this season when B.O. Shucking yesterday purchased 43 bales of fuggles at 21 cents from a Chinaman named Gong, who is caring for the old Pettyjohn place.

Another Chinaman on Brown’s island sold 41 bales to a Portland dealer for 20 ¼ cents.  This has caused some comment locally, as Salem dealers state that the Celestial could have secured the 21 cents for his hops… [dateline Statesman]

Salem City Directory, 1909-1910 (Ancestry.com)
Louis Saun Lee, porter Collins & Hamilton, res 179 High Street
Collins & Hamilton:  Frank H. Collins, Melvin L Hamilton.  Saloon.  357 State.  Restaruant 361 State.

1910 US Federal Census
Salem Oregon
179 High Street
Louie, Saun Lee, Head, M, 45 M1 15, immigration 1882, Merchant General Mdse
Louie, Ho, Uncle, 55 M1 14, imm 1883, Salesman, Store
Gunn, Chuey Gee, Lodger, 35 M1 11, imm 1883, Laborer, Odd Jobs

Advertisement. Oregon Statesman 05 April 1911 pg 6 (Newspapers.com)
Petaluma incubator for sale, 125 egg capacity; only used for two hatches. Saun Lee Louis.

“Acquitted of Assault.” Oregon Statesman 19 Sept 1911 pg 5
E.P. Bartlett, who was charged with having committed assault and battery on the person of Saun Lee Louis appeared before Judge Webster yesterday for trial and was acquitted.

“Hop pickers wanted.” Oregon Statesman 18 Aug 1912 pg 10 (Newspapers.com)
Register for picking in the Baumgartner yard, east of the asylum. Call Saun Louis, 179 South High St. Phone Main 1131.

“Lunch Counters.” Oregon Statesman 24 Feb 1917 pg 9 (Newspapers.com)
Saun Louie lunch Counter – bowl rice, sugar and cream, 10 cents.  Mush, coffee and doughnuts, 15 cents.  Noodles, 10 cents.  All kinds of sandwiches, short orders, and soft drinks.  Basement Hubbard Bldg.

“Lunch Counters” Oregon Statesman  12 May 1917 page 7 (Newspapers.com)
Noodles, Sandwiches, Short Orders.  Basement, Hubbard Building.

“Lunch Counters.” Oregon Statesman 02 Jun 1917 pg 11 (Newspapers.com)
Saun Louie lunch Counter – bowl rice, sugar and cream, 10 cents.  Mush, coffee and doughnuts, 15 cents.  Noodles, 10 cents.  All kinds of sandwiches, short orders, and soft drinks.  Basement Hubbard Bldg.

“Nineteen Salem Dining Rooms Sign Food Saving Agreement.” Oregon Statesman 15 Dec 1917 pg 1. (Newspapers.com)
Meatless Tuesday and Wheatless Wednesday  become effective and commercial club urges public to patronize places that show patriotism.
Nineteen hotels and restaurants in Salem have signed an agreement to comply with the meatless Tuesday and wheatless Wednesday policy of the federal food administration and the Salem Commercial club is urging those who dine away from home to patronize these places.  Later the club expects to make a list of those that have not signed the agreement and bring pressure to bear on the public to avoid patronizing the slacker restaurants.

The agreement contains among others the following section: “That we, the hotels, cafeterias, restaurants and delicatessen firms of Salem, each in consideration of the other signing hereto, do hereby agree that on Tuesday we shall serve only a meatless menu and on Wednesday shall serve only a wheatless menu, and shall cut down on the uses of fats in preparing side dishes as far as practical.”  The signers are:….”Sam Lee Louie”

“Sam Louie”  Capital Journal  18 Mar 1918 pg 8 (Newspapers.com)
Who was arrested Saturday afternoon on the charge of selling too “hard” cider, appeared before City Recorder Race and put up $25 bonds for his appearance in court.  The trial was set for this morning but was postponed till next Monday.

“After hearing the evidence Yesterday.” Capital Journal 26 March 1918 pg 9 (Newspapers.com)
Afternoon in the trial held in the city recorder’s court, the jury composed of L.A. Byrd, R.C. Halley, G.W. Laflar and Joseph Lebold, brought a verdict acquitting Sam Louie of the charge of selling intoxicating liquor.  The defendant in the case operates a lunch counter in the rear of the pool hall under the Oregon Electric depot, and among other things which he dispenses over the counter is cider.  A recent batch of Louie’s cider was alleged to have been so “hard” or “spiked” that it caused intoxication, but the jury “couldn’t see it.”  Louie says he is going to quit selling cider.

“Chinese and White Man Mix It in Restaurant.”  Oregon Statesman 19 April 1918 pg 3 (Historic Oregon Newspapers)
Saun Lee Louie, Chinese proprietor of a lunch stand in the basement of the Hubbard building, engaged with Frank Smith and James Cripps in an altercations in which blows were struck last night.  The three are cited to appear at the police station at 9 o’clock this morning for investigation of the affair.  No arrests were made, all three men being allowed to go on their own recognizance.

It appears that when the two white men went into Louie’s place some words were passed, some of which were a decidedly uncomplimentary nature.  Louie is said to have wielded a stool which caused Smith to use his fists.  It seems that the only part Cripps had in the affair was to pull Smith of the Chinese.  Jesse Mullinaux, F.E. Maxfield and C. E. Maxfield, who were in the restaurant, are called as witnesses. Their stories of the affray last night coincide.

“Frank Smith Appeared before City Recorder.” Capital Journal 19 April 1918 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)
Frank Smith appeared before city Recorder Race this morning and pleaded guilty to the charge of disorderly conduct in connection with a fracus which took place in the basement of the Hubbard building last night.  HE was fined $10.  Smith and Saun Louie, proprietor of a lunch counter in the basement of the building, got into an altercation , called each other bad names, and “mixed it”  The Chinaman is said to have used a stool  and Smith his fists. James Scripps, who was a third party to the affair, was also cited to appear but failed to show up.  Scripps claimed all he had to do with it was to pull Smith off Saun Louie after the latter was considerably battered up.

“Frank L. Smith was arrested last” Capital Journal 03 May 1918 pg 8 (Newspapers.com) 
Frank L. Smith was arrested last night by Traffic Officer Bert Smith on the charge of assault and battery.  The complaint was sworn to by Saun Louie, the Chinaman who conducts a lunch counter in the basement of the Hubbard building, and who claims Smith “beat him up” recently without cause or provocation. Immediately after the fracas, Smith was arrested and fined $10 at the recorder’s court on the charge of drunkenness and disturbance of the peace.  Saun Louie went to the hospital, however, with a couple of fractured ribs and other injuries and declares that Smith is not to get off so easily.  The latter gave bail last night in the amount of $50 for his appearance in the justice court at 10 o’clock today at which time he appeared and plead not guilty.  The case is continued for trial.

Smith Held For Assault.” Oregon Statesman 04 May 1918 pg 4 (Newspapers.com)
Frank Smith, charged with assault upon the person of Saun Louie, restaurant keeper in the Hubbard building, some weeks ago, was up before Justice Webster for hearing yesterday, pleaded not guilty and was placed under bonds of the sum of $50 to appear for trial at a later date.

“New Grill Open.” Capital Journal 21 May 1918 pg 9 (Newspapers.com)
Opposite Oregon Electric depot, lunches and meals at all hourse, from 6 am to 11 pm, Sam Louie, 136 S. High St.

“Bark Indicted, Pleads Guilty, Is sentenced.” Oregon Statesman 02 June 1918 pg 8 (Newspapers.com)
The Marion County grand jury finished up its investigations at noon yesterday, turn its report and was dismissed.  Although the court was in session for several days, the girst of bills was very light….
Frank Smith was indicted on a charge of assault and battery, committed upon the person of Saun Louie, Chinese proprietor of a lunch room…

“Wanted.” Oregon Statesman 6 June 1919 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)
Cook.  Saun Souie [sic] Restaurant.  Phone 544.

“Wanted A Waiter” Oregon Statesman 04 July 1919 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)

Notice. Capital Journal 09 Oct 1919 pg 5 (Newspapers.com)
Saun Louie, proprietor of a small restaurant on High Street opposite the Oregon Electric depot, has sold his interests in it.

Advertisement.  Capital Journal 14 Oct 1919 pg 5 (Newspapers.com)
Saun Loui has not sold out his restaurant on High street.  Wants a young lady to wait tables also.  Saun Loui

Advertisement. Capital Journal 18 Oct 1919 pg 3 (Newspapers.com)
Chicken Dinner Sunday 45 cents Sam Louie Restaurant High Street.

“Wanted.” Oregon Statesman 23 Oct 1919 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)
Wanted- a waiter.  Apply Saun Louie’s Restaurant, 138 S. High St.

“Chinese Restaurant Proprietor Tells of Alleged Attack.” Capital Journal 10 Dec 1919 pg 10 (Newspapers.com)
A story, if told on the stand in case Sing Hal, 20-year-old Chinaman, is brought to trial for attempted assault on Ella Wolfe, 14-year-old girl, who worked at Louie’s restaurant, 138 High Street, would speak in his defense, was told today to a reporter of the Capital Journal by Saun Louie the proprietor of the place.  Louie said that Annie Spencer had told the facts of the case to him and that he transmitted them to the press to clear the impression that he sheltered wrongdoers in his place.

According to Louie’s story, Sing Hai, was standing in the kitchen of the restaurant Sunday evening when the alleged attack is said to have been made.  Ella Wolfe is said to have knocked off his hat.  Sing Hai is unable to understand English, Louie said and that when he asked for the hat the girls both laughed at him.  He then grasped Miss Wolfe by the shoulder, thinking probably she would return his hat;  and when she struggled to get away she fell down.

Police then happened in and the hunt for Sing was taken up.  Louie said that the Chinese lad had fled to Chinatown and he since has not seen him.  Louis is indignant that such publicity should be given to his place.  He was anxious to bare what he knows to be the fact sin the case and clear his stand.

“Announcement.” Capital Journal 05 Jan 1920 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)
Saun Louie is moving from High street to South Commercial and will be open for business about the 20^th of January.

Advertisement Oregon Statesman 29 Jan 1920 pg 5 (Newspapers.com)
Try the Blue Bird for a good meal.  Open 6 am to 11 pm.  Meals all house.  Good Service.  163 South Commercial.  Manager Sam Louie.

“Give the Blue Bird.” Capital Journal 29 Jan 1920 pg 8 (Newspapers.com)
Give the blue bird a trial for good meals and courteous and prompt service.  163 South Commercial St.  Manager Saun Louie.

“Try the Blue Bird.” Oregon Statesman 01 Feb 1920 pg 3 (Newspapers.com)
For a good chicken dinner.  Good and prompt service.  163 South Commercial Street.  Sam Louie, Manager

Advertisement.  Capital Journal 05 Feb 1920 pg 8 (Newspapers.com)
Follow the crowds to the Blue Bird Café.  Good Eats, Good Service.  163 S. Commercial St.  Saun Louie, Prop.

Advertisement.  Oregon Statesman  08 Feb 1920 pg 3 (Newspapers.com)
New Café.  The Blue Bird.  163 South Commercial Street.  A good clean place to eat.  Good and prompt service.  Sam Louie, Proprietor

Advertisement.  Capital Journal 21 Feb 1920 pg 9 (Newspapers.com)
If you are our friend try the Blue Bird Café.  Saun Louie, Prop.  Best Meals at low prices.  Lady waitresses.  163 South Commercial.  When you want good meals come here.

“Low Milk Test Causes Arrest of Saun Louie.” Capital Journal 08 April 1921 pg 1 (Newspapers.com)
Because, the complaint alleges, some of the milk which he ad to serve did not contain the 3.2 per cent butterfat required by law, Saun Louie, a Chinese restaurant man of Salem, was required to appear in Judge Unruh’s court this morning to answer to the charge filed by E.L. Milton, of the state dairy and food commissioner.

Louie pleaded not guilty and demanded a trial by jury, which Judge Unruh announced, will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30.

Saun Louie is proprietor of the restaurant near the Oregon Electric depot.

Inspector Milton said that he had made several tests of milk served in Salem, but that no other restaurant men had been arrested.

“Case Against Saun Louise [sic] Dismissed” Capital Journal 14 April 1921 page 4 (Newspapers.com)
The case against Saun Louie, Salem Chinaman, was yesterday dismissed by Judge G.E. Unruh on motion of the district attorney.

Saun, who conducts a restaurant near the Oregon Electric depot, was arrested by a state officer recently and charged with selling milk containing less than 3.2 per cent butterfat.  He pleaded not guilty.

“Cherry City Depot”  Capital Journal 30 April 1921 pg 11 (Newspapers.com) – NOTE MISLABELLED on Site SEE MASTHEAD.
Cherry City Depot Restaurant open all day and all night.  Noodles, chop suey after 8 o’clock pm.  Saun Louie, Mgr.  105*

“Cherry City Depot Restaurant.” Capital Journal  29 April 1921 page 9 (Newspapers.com)
Open all day and all night.  Noodles, chop suey after 8 o’clock pm.  Saun Louie Mngr.

[DITTO APRIL 25 1921]

“Waitress Wanted.” Oregon Statesman 06 May 1921 pg 9 (Newspapers.com)
Waitress wanted – Saun Louie.  Cherry City Restaurant.

“Where to Eat.” Oregon Statesman 06 Sept 1921 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)
White Cloud Tea House  — Open Sunday morning  6  o;clock.  American Style.  110 ½ N. Commerical.  Phone 472.  Saun Louie, Prop.  [DITTO OCTOBER 4 1921]  [NOTE SAME BUSINESS APPEARS JANUARY 1921 under N.L. Chung’s proprietorship]  AND then under ownership of Chin Tung January 1922.

Advertisement. Capital Journal 27 Sept 1921 pg 7 [Newspapers.com]
Saun Louie lunch counter at the fair grounds.  Inside wall ice cream parlors on side door.  Ice cream, soft drinks, noodles, rice and pork, all kinds sandwiches.  Come see your best friend.  Have noodles.  L.W. Warren 231.

“Quick Lunch.” Capital Journal 28 Oct 1921 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)
Quick lunch meals 25c and up.  Saun Louie, 420 Ferry St.

“Quick Lunch” Capital Journal 27 Oct 1921 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)
Quick lunch meals 25 c and up .  Saun Louie, 420 Ferry St.

“Meals” Oregon Statesman 02 Nov 1921 pg 4 (Newspapers.com)
Meals 25 cents.  Quick Lunch – Chinese Dishes.  Saun Louie, 420 Ferry.  Adv.

“Saun Loui disposes of ‘business’” Capital Journal 07 Nov 1921 pg 1 (Newspapers.com)

Citations

[1] There are numerous spellings of the name Saun Lee Lewis throughout the historical record.  Given the context of these records, I’m not entirely sure that this is the proper order of his name.  I’ve chosen to use this spelling throughout because it appears in his 1898 certificate with what appears to be an actual signature.  Other spellings include Sam Lee Lewis, Saun Lee Louis, Saun Lee Louie, Saun Louie, etc.

[2] See original Cronise Studio records – Oregon Historical Society.  Entry in the Studio Record Ledger reads: “Negative No.:  1720.  Saun Lee Lewis.  Salem.  Qty 6.  Style 2 Cab, negs.  Price 2.50.  Deposit 1.50.  When Promised Saturday.  Remarks: Chinaman.” Org. Lot 1. Studio Logs.

[3] 1910 US Federal Census. Salem, Oregon.  179 High Street.  Louie, Saun Lee, Head, Male, 45 years of age.  Married 1 time for 15 yars.  Immigrated 1882.  Merchant, General Merchandise.

[4] Chinese Exclusion Act Document.  National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/chinese-exclusion-act

[5] Marion County Census 1895 lists a “Sam, Lee Lewis.”  Transcription only available for this source, so assuming the transcriptionist got it right that was listed Sam and not Saun that is not uncommon for later spellings of his name.

[6] Truck farming definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truck%20farming

[7] Federal regulations, too, but Article X, Section No. 8  Oregon State Constitution: “No Chinaman, not a resident of the state at the adoption of this constitution, shall ever hold any real estate, or mining claim, or work any mining claim therein. The Legislative Assembly shall provide by law in the most effectual manner for carrying out the above provisions.”
It looks like there were legal challenges as early as 1868 on this one (Chapman v. Toy Long indicated that this might be in conflict with a treaty passed in 1868). This was removed from the State Constitution in 1946 after the narrow passage of Measure 4, also called the Oregon Right of Chinese to Own Real Estate and Mining Claims Amendment, .https://ballotpedia.org/Oregon_Right_of_Chinese_to_Own_Real_Estate_and_Mining_Claims,_Measure_4_(1946)

[8] Oregon Passenger Arrival Index.  Ancestry.com

[9] “Left his bride.” Capital Journal 16 May 1899 pg 1

[10] Page Act Summary: https://immigrationhistory.org/item/page-act/.

[11] Not impossible though.  Dr. Lai Yick brought his bride to the United States in 1914.  See 1920 US Federal Census showing immigration date for Chin, S.Y. 1920 US Federal Census

[12] 1910 US Federal Census.  Counted 135 individuals of Chinese heritage living in Salem.  20 were women, 115 were men.

[13] “Splendid Peaches.” Oregon Statesman 04 Aug 1900 pg 5 (Newspapers.com)

[14] “Personals.” Capital Journal 8 March 1905 Oregon Historic Newspapers; “An Attachement Suit.” Capital Journal 06 Jan 1904 pg 5; “Hops at 21 Cents.” Morgning Register (Eugene) 16 Sept 1909 pg 2 (not mentioned by name, but by location.  Likely Saun Lee Lewis);

[15] “Personals.” Capital Journal 8 March 1905 Oregon Historic Newspapers

[16] “Help Wanted – Miscellaneous” Oregon Statesman 16 June 1906 pg 7; Ad.  Capital Journal 02 April 1908 pg 5;“Wanted” Capital Journal 03 Apr 1908 pg 3; “For Sale.” Oregon Statesman 23 May 1908 pg 7 (Newspapers.com); “For Sale.” Oregon Statesman 05 Jul 1908 pg 13 (Newspapers.com)

[17] “Nineteen Salem Dining Rooms Sign Food Saving Agreement.” Oregon Statesman 15 Dec 1917 pg 1. (Newspapers.com)

[18] “After hearing the evidence Yesterday.” Capital Journal 26 March 1918 pg 9 (Newspapers.com); “Sam Louie”  Capital Journal  18 Mar 1918 pg 8 (Newspapers.com);

[19] “Chinese and White Man Mix It in Restaurant.”  Oregon Statesman 19 April 1918 pg 3 (Historic Oregon Newspapers); “Frank Smith Appeared before City Recorder.” Capital Journal 19 April 1918 pg 7 (Newspapers.com)

[20] “Bark Indicted, Pleads Guilty, Is sentenced.” Oregon Statesman 02 June 1918 pg 8 (Newspapers.com); Smith Held For Assault.” Oregon Statesman 04 May 1918 pg 4 (Newspapers.com)

[21] “Low Milk Test Causes Arrest of Saun Louie.” Capital Journal 08 April 1921 pg 1 (Newspapers.com)

“Case Against Saun Louise [sic] Dismissed” Capital Journal 14 April 1921 page 4 (Newspapers.com)

[22] “Saun Loui disposes of ‘business’” Capital Journal 07 Nov 1921 pg 1 (Newspapers.com)