Connecticut western news., 1888-11-21
HIGHBINDERS.
A Chinese Organization for Mur-
 der and Blackmail.
Crimes of the HatChet Society
 in America.


 have so far boon carried on with great skill and secrecy arc an organization of Chinameu dating back to tho Tai Ping or long haired rebellion, which was entirely subdued, it was thought, some thirty years ago iu the Flowery Kingdom. The Highbindcrs belong to the Triad Society, which has been compared in China to tho Nlhilists in Russia On entering it the Chinamen ren nounces all obliga. lions to his family, his gods and his fellow-men. Thcnceforth he is the creature of his supcriors ia the Order. Political conspiracy and tho raising of funds to bring about restoration of the Chinese dynasty in place of the Manchoo emperor now on the throne arc or were tho prime objects of the Highbinders through their parent order, the Triad Society. Hence its close relationship to the Nihilists.
 But blackmail pure and simple, en : forced with the scourge and the long knife, has long been the main object of the Highbinders in tho United States. The trial of six Cinnamon in St. Louis for blackmail and murder year or two since brought out this fact clearly. In Ss. Louis every Chinaman not affiliated with the Triads was assessed 75 cents blackmail a week. The assassin ation for which the six Highbinders were tried in St. Louis was peculiarly atro- cious.
 The term Highbinder, as originally used in San Francisco, where it was first heard in this country, meant thugs. The Triads were then supposed to bo in the land of tho Celestials what the Thugs are or were in India. But 1t was discovered shortly that whereas religion is the prime motive of Thuggism, pol itics started High bindery, which speed lily devoted itself to tho congenial task of blackmailing. By and by tho High
 
 Society, and murder for money was recognized as the chief object of Its existence. Chin amen were rom owed by the Hatchet Society in San Francisco at $60O head. Tho oath and the ritual of tho Highbinders were demoniac ia their fcrocity. Tho cult camo east to Denver, then moved on, murd ering, to St. Louis, then to Pittsburg and then to New York. h New York its operations have boon conducted with the utmost secrecy and success
 The case of the six Highbin ders tried for tho murder of Low Johnson in St. Louis, called tho attention of the entire country to the spread of this hideous order.
 Tho murder of Johnson grew out of his assisting the police in breaking up the gambling business of the Chyo Coon, or Joe Gong, the leader of tho Chyo faction in St. Louis. Coon and his friends agreed to pay 5000 for the removal of Johnson. A distinguished member of the H.tchet Society in Frisco, An Lung by name, and a High binder, who had served a tcrm in the San Quenta Penitentiary, was sent for to do tho removing, but, there being a hitch iu the matter, he didn't start in time, so that Chyo Chiagk, Quong Seng and others not so eminent in tho profession undertook thu task. They found Johnson asleep in bcl, chopped him almost 10 pieces and then stood the body on it's head in bucket of rice and locked it up in closet. They sent Quong seng away with $15, promising 10 send him m ore, but he was captured.
 He gave the police the entire story in the case, and through fear at having violated the oath of tho Hatchet S)cie- ty and dread of their vengeance, he went crazy in jail. Joe c ong and Chy Chiagk wero senten ced to death. The Chinese element ia New York and S,n Fransisco has never since been quieted. Tho feeling in Mott street was such that the Highbindcrs were liable to be called at any time, tho presence of An Lung, the past Grand Highbinder, being an indication that the Hatchet Society is ready for bush css.
 Another case of Highbinding was that of Sing Le', at Troy. A Chiaaman at Montreal borrowed $500 from another and Sing L,e was a witness. When a Chinaman borrows money it is with the understanding that hc will pay it when he can, provided the one making the loan does n ot want to go home to China. Then he asks for tho money, and the borrower must pay it back, or if he docs not bo held responsible for what ever trouble may bcfall tho lender through delaying or preventing his de- parturo for hom'. The borrower in this instance refused to pay back the money, and tho lender entered suit for it in Montreal. Tho c,se was called. and Sing L~e was tho most i'm. I~rtant witness. When tho case was concluded Sing Lee went back home to Troy, N. Y. The lender went thcrc and circulated pretty freely, giving the namo of Chi ,amaa known as a missionary, who was thon iu Ohio. He called on Sing Lee, on the day and at tho hour Sing Lee was paying his rent. When the landlord left he attacked Sing Lce, killed him, stole all his money (e7oo>. and then wrots oa pisos of