Manuscript legal complaint filed against some 11 Chinese residents of Nevada County of illegal gambling.

Partially printed form filled out in ink. Signed by Nevada County Sheriff D.B. Getchell and Justice of the Peace Charles E. Mulloy. Single sheet, 35.5x22 cm (14x8¾"), docketed on the back. Two short tears at folds, a little creasing at the top, normal aging; very good overall. Sheriff Getschell, representing the People of the State of California, files this complaint against Ah Ling, Ah Poy, Ah Ding and others, for the "crime of gaming, to wit: conducting and betting, at the game of tan, a misdemeanor..." The perpetrators used "certain copper checks and Chinese coin and other devices, with divers other persons... for a certain sum of money to wit: Seventeen dollars and gold and silver coin of the United States... Seems like the American legal system is a bit at odds with the significance of gambling in Asian culture. Still a very interesting document.