|
|
 |
|
The sign
still remains on the side of the building |
The following are
editorials from the Baker City Herald.
Jack
Eng
 |
The prominent
businessman-co-owner of the Royal Cafe-Shangrila Room
was a well known friendly face in Baker
Eng came to the United States
as a young man from Canton, China to make a living in
the new world. Opportunities for Chinese
immigrants in those days were limited to the restaurant
business.
He first settled in Walla
Walla and Pendleton, then came to Baker and went to work
at Gracie Toye's
Tea Garden above the old Levinger Drug Store. He
purchased the Tea Garden and ran it until he opened the Royal
Cafe.
In 1962 he expanded the
business and took on partners, Henry and Annie Wong.
Eng is remembered
affectionately by those who knew him. One of his
employees at the Royal, Karen Skeen, described Eng
lovingly: "I know the community will feel his loss
because Jack Eng was a for Baker a legend and |
|
he will always remain for me a kind man who would never
hurt a single person because he himself knew what hurt
was." Annie Wong
remembers him as a man who "loved his work and he loved
the people of this city. He was a devoted and
loving family man. He was a good friend to many."
We remember Eng as the
friendly, lively guy who greeted everyone at his
restaurant with a word of welcome and a grin.
Baker will miss Jack Eng
Jack at Work |
Henry Wong
 |
A Chinese immigrant who
came to Baker with his family in the early 1940s,
Henry was a self-made man. After graduating from the
St. Frances Academy in Baker, he worked into the
restaurant business beginning at the Royal Café in
1946 when he was about 19. He became a
partner-operator there in 1962 and took full
management of the Main Street restaurant and lounge
10 years later. In 1976 he opened another Royal Café
in Ontario. A dedicated worker, Henry wasn't your typical
restaurant manager. He regularly worked as a cook
during the mid-day and evening shifts while
overseeing the lounge. He often worked 16 hours a
day, seven days a week, but he never complained. He
loved his work and often told friends who's say he
needed a vacation. "Work is my happiness."
Because of his hard
work, Henry became fairly wealthy during the
past decade. He was devoted to his family and to
the well-being of Baker County, and both
benefited from his unselfishness. He gave
countless donations to countless causes, but
shunned the publicity, so his generosity went
unrecognized by most. |
Henry never went to ball games, rodeos or other
local events, but he always donated when asked. He
gave $500 for rodeo facilities for the Baker High
School cowboys and cowgirls, but refused to have a
plaque placed there naming him a donor. He also
contributed money for BHS band uniforms and gave
large sums to St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, just
to name a few. He was always more willing to give
than to receive.
Although Henry never attended college, he was a real
promoter of education. In almost any conversation
with him, the subject would get around to education
sooner or later. Because of his philanthropy and his
concern for education, a scholarship fund is being
established in his memory. Specific details have not
been worked out, but plans call for $1,000 being
made available annually to graduates of Baker County
high schools.
Henry always was concerned with quality in
everything he did. "If you do a job, do it first
class," he'd often say, a philosophy he followed
throughout his life. He had a first-class home on
Grandview Drive with first-class landscaping and
furnishings. When he wanted a pair of boots or a
wristwatch, he paid enough to buy dozens of boots or
watches for the average man. When a customer
indicated dissatisfaction with a meal or beverage at
the restaurant, he'd say it was on the house.
Because of the way he treated people, Henry was a
gentleman and a gentle man. He never tried to take
advantage of anyone and he treated everyone with
respect. He liked people and never would say
anything against anyone. If the conversation around
the coffee counter or the bar got around to what a
bum Harry Horseface was, or if someone in his
establishment got a little rowdy, he'd say, "Don't
cause trouble. There's enough trouble in the world."
A very considerate man, Henry often would offer
encouragement to those who seemed down in the dumps.
"Hang in there," he'd say cheerily. "Things will
work out."
Henry had a good sense of humor. He loved to be
kidded. He had more fun when people kidded him than
when made jokes about others. Friends called him the
"Sagebrush Cowboy" and he took it good-naturedly. He
never got mad.
Henry Wong won't be remembered because he was active
in the community. He wasn't. He wasn't much of a
goer, or doer, or a joiner. But Baker County is
richer because he lived and will continue to benefit
because of the scholarship that will exist in his
memory.
|
|
Pat Guymon Photo |
|
This
is the only photo we could find of the front of
the Royal, if any of our readers have a copy
they would be willing to share, please
click |
Baker County
Used with permission of the
Baker City Herald |
|
|
|
Baker County Towns |
|
|
|
Oregon Counties |
|
|
|
Oregon Genealogy Records |
|
|
|
Other Genealogy Records |
|
|
|
Oregon Host |
Contribute to Oregon Genealogy
If you have information you would like contribute to
the website, please use our comment form!! If you find a broken link
please let us know! |
|