The Friends of the Seaside Public Library welcome Candace Pinger Smith, who will be giving a presentation based on the 2023 James Zimmerman book, “The Peking Express: The Bandits Who Stole a Train, Stunned the West, and Broke the Republic of China.” This is a story Candace Pinger Smith has heard all her life. Her father, age 8 in 1923, and grandfather were among the hostages. Her grandfather, Major Pinger in the book, had kept notes, made maps, and recorded daily life during their time in captivity, and wrote about the experience extensively afterward. Her family has many artifacts and news accounts of the “Lincheng incident” which she will share with the audience, and were able to provide James Zimmerman with much of the color commentary for his excellent work.

Candace Pinger Smith was born and raised in Portland where she practiced landscape and interior design for many years. She later moved to Parkdale Oregon, establishing an asparagus, lavender and small fruit farm, before settling in Gearhart permanently in a few years ago.