The morning call., 1893-02-20
FIGHTING TONGS.
A Furious Battle Between
Highbinders.
TWO OF THE WARRIORS SHOT
Windows and Doors Riddied With Bull
lets-TOurists Fly Panic Stricken
From the Scene.

Every white friend of the peaceful, In
dustrious blandly smiling Mongollan will
learn with deep regret that the highbinder
societies are again at war and that bloody
battle was fought in Chinatown yesterday
morning, In which two of the eombatants
were shot and severely wounded. They
will deplore the fact that the battle was
fought while the picturesque streets of the
Celestial quarter were thronged with East
ern tourists. many of whom fed panic
stricken from the scene and all of whom
will possibly depart with the impression
that the Chinese is no blacker than tn
sentimental Californians had painted him.
The first guns were fired at l o'clock in
the afternoon in Lee Suns house
of i'll fame, 23 Ross alley. The
place is one of the most notorious in
the Chinese quarters. but fourishes in spite
Of the police. One Of the inmates is a
rather handsome woman who stands near
the top of Lee Suns list OF assets. She
cost him about $500, but he would not part
with her for twice that amount.
Several attempts have been made by
highbinders to extort money from the wo-
man and her owner. but all have failed be-
cause Lee Sun is member of a powerful
society which Will stand no nonsense from
its rivals.
1t is apparent that they were off their
guard yesterday, lulled to security by the
thought that no orthodox highbinder should
murder or levy blackmalI during the new
year holidays. wherein they fatally erred.
At o'clock six members of the Bow Sin
Scar society of hghbinders, entered the
house. Four of the ruffians held large
reyOlyers and took possession of what
might be called the receptiOn-room. The
other two entered the wOmaDs apartment
and demolished everything in sight. A
stand laden with flowers ana fruit, gilded
idols and smoking punk was overturned.
The chairs we're smashed and jar full OF
dirty water was thrown upon the decorated
ceiling and walls. Highly elated with their
work the men departed, firing three shots
as they went. One of them was rec0g-
nzed as Quock K laborer employed in
the Oakland jutemil Quock Ri Will be ar
rested if he is caught.
There was no other occurrence worthy OF
mention during the aftern oOn. but when
night descended three members OF the Suey
On Tong and three representatives of the
Bow Sin Scar hlghbinder societies met on
Stockton street, between Washington and
Jackson, for the purpose of killing each
other They went at it right cheerfully.
and for several minutes the air was full of
powder smoke, flying bullets and impious
ejacuatioDs.
The members of the Chinatown police
squad, who heard the rattle OF the artillery,
thought that twas but the discharge of fire.
crackers and did not so near the scene OF
conflict.
But there were many tourists and eiti-
zens who fled panic stricken from the scene
Of the conflict because they had little faith
in the accuracy of the marksmen. After
the battle three shots were heard. but the
police thought that they came from the
-.oI, q hfr,bh ,s1ar fIox
roof emptying the chambers Of his weapon.
Half an hour after the smoke of battle
had cleared away the officers learned that
battle had been fought between nine high
binder tongs and hastened TO the battle
ground.
formation concerning the affray, but in
every instance were answered with mo
sabee." accompanied by an insolent stare.
Finally one was found. the keeper OF a
grocery at the corner of jackson street and
Virginia alley, who gave them some par
ticuars OF the fight. His windows had
been shattered by bullets aud his paper
lanterns locked as il they had been out all
night in a haistOrm. Detective Cox found
that one of the cOmDatants named An Law
had been shot in the leg and had wandered
into a doorway on Jackson street where he
friends fouEd him there and took bin away
Then the detective learned that Chin boo
Pom, sewing machine operator at 9l9
Jack son street and a musician employed by
the Bing On Tong highbinders. had been
shot IN the side. He was found laying on
| the floor of a room in the third story of the
| building at S24 Clay street an hour after he
| had been shot He said that he was
wounded by Suey Ong. His society and
| the Sueys are at war over the possession of
female chattels and another conflict is i'm
| minent.
The trouble began on the first day OF the
new year. when Suey Ong entered a house
of III fame dressed in most fantastic cos
| tune. He was rdiculed by Bing On on
account of his raZyquilt apparel. and
| threatened to Kill the moeker after the holi-
| days. But the Bings and Sueys, whose
| mutual hatred was iufiamed by this incl
dent, could not wait for the expiration Of
| the new year, but set o'clock yesterday
| afternoon as tile hour for the fight.
The Bow Sin Sears, who are al war with
both the Bings and Sueys decided that they
would be present with their guns, but for
some unknown reason the combat was post
pOned until evening.
1t was learned early this morning that a
Chinese woman, who lives at 1109 Stockton
street and whose name could not be
ascertained, was struck by two bullets
while making his way through the crowd
that surrounded the fighting highbinders.
She was taken to her home and treated
there by a physician.