St. Paul daily globe., 1892-01-02
CHASED BY HiGHBINDERs.
A Chinaman Appeals for Protec.
tion From "Hatchet Boys"


A Chinaman, dressed in Oriental cos
tune. came rushing into police head
quarters last evening in an excited
manner and inquired for the
chief of police. He gave his
name as Wing Fong Lee, OF
San Francisco, and said he wanted pro-
lection of the police of st. Paul, as his
fellow countrymen were following him
for the purpose of taking his life. Lieut..
SweitZer led him to his private Office
and questioned him further as to his
certainty in the matter. The China
man, from his speech and demeanor,
seemed to be a man of education
and culture. for he spoke En-
glish with perfect fluency, although
much excited. He stated that lie was
born in Carton, China, and was son
to this country four years ago to work
as clerk in the firm of Lee Mug, of
San Francisco, importers of Chinese
fancy goods. While in the employ
of this firm he discovered that another
clerk had stolen some money from
his employer and that he felt
in duty bound as loyal Chinaman to
report him. Upon investigation it was
found that his accusation against the
other clerk was true and the embeZzIer
was promptly dismissed. Wing Fong
Lee soon after received a notification
that the discharged clerk was member
of the Chez Kung Yong, and
they had sworn to murder
him for informing on one of
their number. He explained that the
Chez King Yong was Highbinder So
ciety. while a supposed social OrganiZa-
tiCn it was composed of a dangerous
and desperate band of ruffiians, who
levied blacl1mail and committed murder,
and that the society has different
branches in different cities where they
reigned supreme under the name of zee
Hing.
1.-THE society to which be-
long," said he. "is the Zip Her
company-not highbinder society but
one that is recognized by the respecta-
bic Chinese of San Francisco. l learned,
shortly after informing on this clerk,
that two members of the Highbinders
had been hired to aSsaSsinate me and
was warned if | valued my life
to leave San Francisco. This 1
did Immediately. Arriving in Denver
last Wednesday, and while walking
down Larrlmer street | recognized Yer
Hong Poi, a brother of Tarm Pol, who
was hanged two years ago for murder
ing Fong Hoy.
The man hanged was notorious
murderer. and member of the Cher
kung Tong and his brother in
Denver as 'natchet boy,' be-
longing to the same society.
'Hatchet boys are those paid to kill
Cinnamon who inform against members
of the society. I noticed that this feI-
low was following me, and placed N.Y.
self under the protection of the Denver
police, who saw me safely on the train
Tor st. Paul. Upon arriving here today
| saw several Cinnamon at the union
depot, and they have been following ne
all the afternoon
Wing Foo Lee stated that he had
brother in Duluth and had already pur-
chased his ticket for that point. After
hearing his story Detective Sweitzer
came to the conclusion that the young
man was not laboring under any de-
fusion and furnished the proper escort
to the union depot. After an exchange
of good will, etc., Wing Foo Lee de-
parted on the 1913 train for Duluth.
Established 1870.
A St. Paul Clothing House exclusively
owned and controlled by st. Paul men
Such is the old reliable Boston One
Price Clothing House OH Third street.