Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-05
BAL HONG.
Chinatown Excited Over Her
Alleged Abduction.
Mrs. Watson's Attempt to Res
cue a Chinese Slave.
The Story of the Proceedings in the
Case.
Deputy Sheriff Russelrs Close Call
While Making an Arrest-The Two
Societies Which Are
Interested.

War is imminent between two OF the
big companies in Chinatown, and it
looks as though the highbinders OF these
two factions will have plenty of work to
do ere many moons have waxed and
waned. Late on Thursday night Dep
uty Sheriff Russell, armed with bench
warrant, paid visit to Chinatown in
search of young Chinese girl named
Bal Hong. 1t was alleged in a complaint
made before Judge Smith, that Bal
Hong, who is described as being both
young and comely from Celestial point
of view, was unlawfully detained in a
house of prostitution. The complaint
was made by Mrs. H. A. Watson, who
is specially employed by the board OF
supervisors to do missionary work in
the way of seeking out such cases OF lost
or distressed womanhood. The name
of the street on which the house of evil
fame was located was not given in the
complaint, but it was set forth as 436
- street.
Back of the complaint, however, lies
a story. Mrs. Watson received infor-
nation as to the whereabouts of the
girl from Chinaman of the Chee Sing
society, of which All Now is the head
and spokesman. The Chinaman stated
that on entering the premises which be-
long to the Wong society that he would
be able to identify the girl by her rails
ing a handkerchief to her lips. At a
late hour on Thursday night Deputy
Sheriff Russell paid visit to Chinese
house of ill fame on Fisher alley, and
producing his warrant, forced his way
to the upper floor, and found himself in
dark passage way. He finally CROPPED
his way to the front part of the build.
ing, where he found quite a number
of Chinese women. One OF
these raised her handkerchief to
her lips, and Deputy Sheriff Russell at
once took her into custody. When he
entered the passage way he found several
burly highbinders there who resisted
his passage with the girl. A desperate
struggle ensued, in which blows were
freely exchanged, and finally Russell
drew his revolver and fought his way
out. A great crowd of Cinnamon had
collected in the street, and for time it
looked as though a riot was imminent.
Russell, however, secured hack and
took the girl to the sheriff's office. He
had hardly reached there, however,
when the telephone tinkled and an at
tache of the district attorneys Office
wanted to know by what right or au-
thority the sheriff had made an arrest
in Chinatown. Uncle Dick Barham
pre- mptly responded that the arrest was
made on a search warrant from Judge
Smith, and the attache as promptly sub
sided.
Then All Now of the Chez Ling COM
pany put in an appearance and strenu-
ously denied that he or any member oi
his company had given the information
that led to the arrest of the pair, but
paid Bal Hong. In the meantime the
representatives of both Chinese 30
cieties were quietly sharpening their
axes. and this probably led to the
above declaration by All Now. Further
more, messengers from the Chez Ling
society were at once dispatched to Mrs.
Watson, who positively assured them that
the girl arrested by Russell was not the
woman for whom the complaint was
filed. Acting on this information, the
woman was released from custody.
The second chapter of the proceedings
opened up yesterday afternoon in Judge
Smiths department of the superior
court. when Mr.. and Mrs. Wong Chez
were brought before the Judge to. show
cause why they detained the iair Bal
Hong in custody. Attorney Stephens
appeared for Wong Chez, who is one of
the moet prosperous and respected mer-
chants in Chinatown, and as they did
not know anything of the whereabouts
of Bal Hong they were promptly dis
charged from custody. Wong Chez bears
an excellent reputation.
The affair has stirred up very bitter
feeling between the Wong and Chez
Sing companies. 1t is claimed that the
myrmidons of the Sing company are not
acting in a true Christian spirit in en-
deavorina to get Bal Hong away from
the Wong society, but that their object
is to secure possession OF her themselves.
AS result both factions are ripe for a
row.
La Grippe Successfully Treated.
ST have iuet recovered from n secopd