Lee Mao

Lee Mao (Born Li Mao September 17th 1843 - 1900) was a vietnamese outlaw and gunfighter of the old west

Life in Vietnam
Lee was born September 17th 1843 to a fairly wealthy farmer living in the vietnamese country side. Being the youngest son of his father Lee didn't receive much attention, and instead his dad spent most of his time with his older brother, teaching him how to run the farm. Lee would spend much of his youth reading books and studying language and history. In 1857 Napoleon III would invade vietnam taking control. During the conflict Lee's farther would be killed. Throught the time after Lee would grow spiteful of the French, for killing his farther and taking his freedom. Lee would then plan to immagrate to America after becoming obsessed by the concept of a free country. In 1860 (Age 17) Smuggles himself abord a trader vessle along with other Veitnamese refugees sailing for America. The journey was tough and unplesent but the promise of a better life kept him going.

Early Days In America
After months of travel, Lee would arrive in New Orleans Louisiana meanwhile america was collapsing into a Civil War. His hopes of a free life was not all he hoped. Due to being an Asian Immigrint it was hard to get well payed work. He often moved jobs some lasting a few months and others only a few weeks. He spent a lot of his time in the cities China town where he was welcomed and made friends. Here he would integrate himself more with Chinese culture and change his first name to be spelt "Lee" to fit in better.

First Crime
The poor pay and treatment he received from many of the work places in the city left Lee with little choice but to fall into a life of crime on the side. He started helping chinese street gangs with robberies. Due to Lees lack of skill in intimidation or strength he was often left with planning and gathering information.

Encounter with the O'Sheen Gang
Lees final time of work life would come after Encountering members of the O'Sheen Gang. Lee would make friends with the outlaws and offer information about local stage coach routes and what is on board. This information proved worth while to the gang, The Heists on the wagons were successful with Lee as an inside informant for the crooks. Lee would make more money for helping these criminals than doing legitimate work in the city. Eventually, Lee's boss would figure out what he was up to and Lee had to flee, taking refuge with the gang and joining their ranks. Mostly taking care of the horses and aiding with planning, in this time he would be taught how to shoot a gun and become much more involved with the schemes rather than sitting back and planning.

Starting his own gang
During the later months of 1865, a failed robbery results in the death of Conor and Peter O'sheen, the leaders of the gang, leaving it in shambles. Over the months the members tried to keep things all together, with Lee Mao begining to take the lead. By 1866 Lee starts his own gang "The Mao Gang" Featuring members of the previous O'sheen gang, and some new arrivals.

Escape to Mexico
During 1867 Lee and his new gang would flee to mexico after gaining too much attention from the law. They would remain there for a few months in a small town by the border, ran by Colonel Miguel López. They struck a deal with the colonel that they are allowed to stay as long as they dont cause trouble, other wise the colonel will drive them out or kill them. Eventually the gang broke their deal, robbing from neighbouring towns which Colonel Miguel heard about. Miguel kept to his threat, gathering a large posse of law men, bounty hunters and soldiers to drive the criminals back to the states, or kill them if they caught up. Lee and the gang escaped back to America suffering minor casualties.

Marriage
In late 1867 Lee would meet a female Vietnamese immigrint called Tram Kim and they would fall in love. For the next few months Tram would ride with the gang and eventually marry Lee Mao in 1868. And in 1874 have a child, Ming Mao.

Dissapearance and Death
Many years later, in 1899 the gang would begin to fall as the US Government begins attempting to snuff out the last remaining of outlaws in the country. In January1900 as the winter months are coming to an end The Mao Gang are chased by Pinkertons across the snowy mountains of Callorado during a harsh snow storm. The Gang split up and flee most never seen again. After this Lee Mao was never found until 1984 when his frozen corpse was recovered froma cave at the snowy peak of a calorado mountain

Cause of Death
Lee was inside a small cave not too far from where the gang set camp, Lee was hiding a collection of the Gang's cash here to collect later if they had to run. However Lee was followed by Barry who was intent with stealing the cash. However Lee would not hand over the money resulting in a short gunfight which resulted in lee being disarmed by the Bandit and shot through the heart. Lee would collapse onto the ground bleeding heavily as Barry runs off with the cash. Lee spends his last few moments in the cave before eventually bleeding out.

Personality and Ideals
Lee is an intelligent and well tempered man with a charismatic personality and natural strength in leadership. After the french conquered his home in vietnam, Lee became obsessed with the idea of true freedom and anarchism, his research into old books of the american west only grew this obsession leading him to his move to the states. He dreamed of a anarchist utopia where people where not oppressed by a government and men and women will live equal no matter what their race. However despite his leadership skills Lee became nothing more than a wanted outlaw and a big dreamer, he however despite this would often keep his ideology to himself. He was a very secretive person and liked to keep himself to himself never really opening up. He was aware of the facts that his ideal society would never be true so he would make do by gathering his own community with the gang, treating them like family.

Limp
Lee Mao was often described as having a severe limp, which would hinder his mobility. He would often be seen using a walking stick or his own rifle or shotgun as one. The origin of this limp is widely debated and even if he had one in the first place. The two main reasons that it could be are:

A birth defect known as hip dysplasia which can result on one leg shorter than the other, resulting in a limp or back pains, both of which lee has said to have suffered.

The alternative is a gun inflicted wound in his leg during the bank robbery that resulted in the death of Colin and Peter O'sheen, However its not known if Lee was even present during the robbery.

Trivia

 * Its unknown if Lee Mao is actually his real name, many speculate it was simply an alias he came up with to fit in with Chinese Immigrants, However this likely conflicts with his relatives also called “Mao”. The most likely origin on this name is Lee Mao’s likely strong Chinese Heritage