Wah Sung was a Chinese grocer/baker who traded in Barcaldine from about 1893 to 1921. His business was mixed – groceries, drapery and bakery. He also had businesses in Longreach, Emerald and Muttaburra. The Muttaburra business was purchased from Ah Sing and Ah Bow in November 1905.
In April 1897 Wah Sung was charged with indecent assault of a child. It was quite a concerning time for the Chinese community. One month later the charges were dropped on advice of the Attorney-General.
Wah Sung’s shop was in Oak Street between the Commercial and Welcome Home hotels. In 1909 he was burnt out in the Oak Street fire but rebuilt and traded until he sold up in 1921 just a couple of months before the next big fire in that section of Oak Street. He was an early adopter of gas lighting in his business (1903).
His name appears in the lists of donations to many organisations in the area over the years especially the Victoria Hospital.
The frisky horse attached to Messrs. Wah Sung and Co's bread card created some excitement on Saturday by bolting when in Willow-street. The carter, fortunately, had just left the cart to deliver some bread, something having startled the horse in the meantime. The frightened animal galloped along several streets finally turning completely over nearly in front of Mr R J McCullough's residence. The cart sustained a broken shaft and spring, while a good deal of the top iron-work was also damaged.
He had opened bakery section of his Barcaldine business in 1918 but closed it two years later citing costs of labour and flour.
The attention of the public is directed to Messrs. Wah Sung & Co's notice in this issue re discontinuing making bread after March 31st next. For many years Wah Sung & Co have held many customers for their bread, which was always of good quality, but now Wah Sung says what with high wages ruling and the fluctuating market for flour, &c, the bread-making is too much worry; therefore he has decided to discontinue this branch of his business. The storekeeping part of the concern will continue as before, and Wah Sung will give all orders his close personal attention.
Wah Sung sold up in 1921 to Quan (Charlie) Hong who continued the mixed business – groceries and bakery.
In 1929 Charlie was murdered in the shop – between Colman’s Butchery and the lane next to the Federal Hotel. His murderer was never identified.
