Today, Robert D. Hume’s life and writings help us better understand the origins of the Pacific Coast salmon industry and the people who built it. His autobiography “A Pygmy Monopolist” offers insight into early industrial practices, labor systems, and conservation ideas—many of which continue to influence public conversations about fisheries, sustainability, and community history. For us interested in Chinese immigrant histories, A Pygmy Monopolist provides an important window into the mindset of an era when industry, natural resources, and community development were deeply intertwined. In this article, we will examine a few minor details of his working relationship and encounters … Continue reading A Pygmy Monopolist & Chinese Workers