The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-15
MR.. G. ?. LATHROP'S LETTER.
Some of the Queer and Quaint Things of
the Under Strata of New York.
The Chinese Highbinders-The Society of the
"Schlaraffia" -Professiona Notes and Incl
dents-International Copyright Law.
Correspondence of the indianapolis Journal.

Correspondence OF the indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Nov. 12-There was a strange
murder in New York the other day. A China
man who kept little restaurant in a basement
at Spring and Wooster streets was found lying
beside one of his tables, .deadi and frightfully
mutilated He had been murdered in broad day
light in the very heart of the city, and the
assassin had disappeared without leaving any
trace of his identity. The papers referred to the
affair as mystery which, like the Nathan muir
der, will probably never be fathomed. But
there are men in New York who know who
killed Mr. Nathan-it is said to be an open secret
in criminal circles-and there are those who pro-
fess to know who killed the Chinaman.
There are in this country number of Chinese
thugs whose business it is to kill people for hire.
They called "highbinders," and there are,
perhaps, dozen of them who travel from San
Francisco to New York. going wherever they are
sent and doing their hideous work quickly and
mysteriously Strange it may appear, these
highbinders are employed largely by Chinese
merchants to put delinquent debtors out of the
way, and as the victims of these thugs are al
ways frightfully mutiated their fate seems as
warning to those who are behind in their
counts.
How does this strike you as development of
business methodist" We civilized Americans
have our own way of dealing with debtors. We
gently condemn them to Imprisonment in Lud-
lowstreet jail some other place of seclu-
sion. where they languish unheard, 'unhonored
and unsung," and may add, usually untried.
The Chinese, more mercifully, kill the debtor and
put him out of pain. do not see that the
creditor in either case, gets any particular salts
faction.
On New Years day every member of the
Celestial colony is expected to settle up with
those to whom he owes money. 1t appears that
the man who was killed the other day neglected
to do this, although he was known to be we'll
supplied with money. A short time ago San
Francisco Chinaman made his appearance in
Mott street Although he had no visible means
of support, he was we'll dressed, lived in good
Celestial style, and had plenty of money with
which to indulge in gambling and opium-smok-
ing. Old Mongolians wagged their heads mys
terously and limited that the newcomer
was 'highbinder." He remained in
New York till day after the murder, and then
disappeared suddenly as he had come That
he had anything to do with the murder cannot
be said, but it seems more than probable that
the restaurant-keeper was the victim of
assassin who hired to put him out of the
way.
Last Saturday evening, as was coming out of
the theater, | met a friend who hooked his
elbow into mine and said: Come with NE and
will introduce you to the Schlaraffia. They
have their regular weekly meeting tonight, AMI
it's great fun"
"And what may the Schlaraffa bel" I in
quired.
Its a sort of secret German society which was
a
and has branches in every leading city in
Austria and Germany. 1t is social organiza-
ton, with forms and ceremonies which travesty
the solemn rights of Freemasonry. 1t is six
teenth century society. and adheres closely to the
customs of that period. Its official communica-
tons of to-day are dated 1885 instead of 1885,
and the German used at it's meetings is that of
300 years ago. The largest branch of the society
is in Berlin, and the Emperor of Germany IS a
member of it. He attends the meetings oncea
year. and is said to enjoy himself hugely on those
occasions.
I accepted my friends invitation, and we went
over to Third avenue and climbed up a fight Of
stairs to a long room above beer saloon. A man
in fantastic garb, with long staff in his hand,
met us in an ante-chamber, and placed upon
our heads straw hats. Topped up with oyster
shells We were carried with great pomp and
ceremony down the room, and arraigned before
the grand moguls, who were seated at table on
d little platform. They wore brilliant scarlet
caps and sashes. The president held wand of
was plate of Frankfurter sausage and potato
salad. He was recognized by my friend, who
grinned at him in amable manner, but he
did not relax his features. The expression on
his face was similar to that of police Justice
when he says: '"ren dollars or ten days.
He welcomed us seriously in sixteenth century
German and we drank beer from tall Bohe-
milan glass, saying ''Lulu" touched it to
our lips This ceremony over, We were conduct
ed to seats at a table which extended through
the middle Of the room, and were duly installed
as pilgrims of the first degree. / glanced about
the room and was amused and surprised to re-
cognize beneath fantastic head coverings, the
familiar faces of Germans whom knew we'll
about town Among them were several actors
and singers from the Thalia Theater leader of
orchestra we'll known theatrical costumer, one
or two journalists, and famous pianist These
crowded about us and welcomed us both with the
utmost cordiality. At the presidents right hand
was an enormous owl, on his left small prison
made of canvas with wooden bars and perhaps
four feet square.
What is the prison for2" l asked.
SWELL the president can confine anyone there
whenever he wants. and the prisoner must re-
main behind the bars until he says something
clever or sings good song Then he is released.
See! they're going to put that man in for neglect
ing to drink his beer"
And sure enough amid general merriment one
of the singers was escorted to the prison and
locked up. He sang German ballad delight
fully and was Immediately released Then the
company JoiISu hduuo anu Sang "nlie tho lea0er
of orchestra played an accompaniment on the
piano.
'And now" said my mentor, ''you are going
to see genuine sixteenth-century beer duel be-
tween two principals, each of whom will be as
sisted by two seconds.
The six combatants ranged themselves at one
end of the table, then on each side and before
each man stood glass of beer AT signal each
principal seized glass, drank from it, passed it
to his second, who did the same, took the next
and the third glasses in turn, drank and passed
them along also. The side which finished it's
three glasses of beer first was adjudged the win
ner. At the close of the beer duel there was
more singing, mingled with a great deal of hi
larity and beer. cannot pay higher tribute
to the social qualities Of the Schlarafia than by
saying that when we broke up was surprised
to find how late it was.
I CHANGED to meet an opera singer of nv ac