Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-10-29
A BRloANp PRIEST.
a Loyal and Patriotic Duddhist Leagus
for Purposes of Robbery.

A Loyal and Patriotic buddhist League
for Purposes OF Robbery.
The most disturbed portion OF the
province OF ChelSiang embraces some
districts within the prefecture OF
lIangchow, which border upon Kiingsu
Ind Anhui. The CONFORMATION OF the
country. which is intersected by
streams and covered with dense
jangle, affords safe retreat for bands
OF robbers. whose doings have caused
u.uch trouble to the authorities. Some
two months ago n number OF despe.
rudoes, headed by strolllng Buddhist
priest, made their appearance in tho
Linan district, and, having procured
supply of arms, engaged In prepara-
tipns for an insurrectionary movement.
The military authorities. having OBJ
tsined secret information OF their in-
tsntions, moved troops against them,
a0d battle ensued In which the priest
~ the head OF his men. who were
armed with foreign muskets, made an
obstinate stand against the oppos-
Ing force, but was obliged 10
the end to seek safety iu flight
He and a number OF his follow
ers were subsequently captured, and
in their possession were found an oath
OF allegiance to the cause woven on
piece OF red silk, false seals. and other
formal emb!ems Of authority. The
priests evidence, rs given at his trial,
was TO the following effect: He was
thirty three years OF age, q native OF
Anhui. and had neither father nor
mother alive. Being without family
membranes. he came TO Chekiang as
q peddler in medicines. lost his capital
and took to a rowing life. He and
twelve other men whom he met In his
travels formed themselves into n sworn
brotherhood under the style OF tho
Loyal and Patriotic League, ofwhlch
he was to form the head. Each MEM
Der was to invite his friends to join
the cause, and an entrance fec OF ono
dollar was levied to provide for the
working expenses Their motto was:
Help the poor and bespoil the rich.
join heart and hand and play the part
OF valiant men," Being afraid of APP
prehension by the authorities. who
were keeping n sharp lookout Tor him.
he abandoned society for u time,
shaved his head, and became priest.
The abbot OF the temple which he
joined being Ignorant OF his
antecedents kept him for few
days rnd then sent him on
n begging mission to procure funds
for the restoration OF the temple. Be-
fore leaving the abbot gave him ten
dollars to covor his expenses on the
way, but as soon as he got 10 the foot
Of the hill on which the temple was
he gave up all thoughts of re-
and proceeded to join his
former companions. Their number.
however. was too small to organize
successful rising. and to give the move
ment u more important character he
purchased for himself an embroidered
thcutrlCul CoStuinc' uuu pioCuiSu ihlSo
seals, banners and other devices by
which he worked upon tho maglna-
lions OF the simple rustics 10 the end
he was captured, after n severe strug-
gle, by the imperial troops. He has
been summarily decapitated under the
regulations promulgated for the pun
ishment OF local brigands, and us
warning to others his head will be ex-
posed In the district which was the
scene OF his offenses. A number OF his
coniederates have been similarly dealt
with, and the officers who effect
ed their arrest have been recommended
to the throne for the bestowai OF fitting
rewards. Picking Gazette. y ~