The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-17
SURPRISING HIGHBINDEaS.
Police Of San Francisco Determined to Subdue
the Banded Chinese Assassins of that City.

SAN FRANCISCO. March 16-Never since
the Chinese first came to the Pacific coast
have the San Francisco police been so en-
ergetic in their efforts to suppress high
binders and their methods rs now. This ac-
tlon was brought about by the fact that
within the last ten days, during one of
the periodical wars between the highbind-
er societies. three Chinese have been shot
and killed on the streets or Chinatown.
and one fatally wounded. The highbinder
societies are composed of the disreputable
and criminal Chinese, who band together
and levy blackmail on their more respecta-
BILE countrymen. One of the chief sources
of their income are the earnings of the fe.
male slaves. The ability of the hlg binder
tation for bravery. SO they do not murder
in secret, but do their work openly on the
streets in q theatrical manner. If they are
caught and punished by the law they are
they generally do. they are heroes. The
present highlander war was caused by one
society encroaching or another's preserves.
Accordingly one of tho poachers was shot
as warning to the others He was not
killed, but was SO seriously wounded that
his society had to have . life from the
other side. According to highbinder
ethics, when q member OF society Is
killed his death must be avenged by
the killing of some one else. 1t does
not matter who. as long os be IS connected
with the society that started the fiRht.
The society. or tong. whose man had been
wounded therefore killed one of their I'll.
walls. and thought they had avenged mat.
ters. but the other tong thought different
ly. They bad merely wounded man,
while one of their members had been
killed, so they killed one of their oppO-
nents. and the latter retaliated In kind.
The police have been constantly raiding
Chinatown for the past few days. and every
known highbinder and those whose looks
proclaim them ench is searched for arms.
and if none are found they are kicked. and
cuffed. and dubbed until they disappear
vaded. their idols and decorations
destroyed. ana everything known to
inventive police is done to hunti~
late them. AS result of this
policy the Chinese laborers and merchants
who at first looked with horror at the po-
manner now hoot and jeer the discounted
highbinder as be is propelled from the Wig
orous toe of the policeman. the consul
general has united with the chief of police
In his efforts TO crush the highbinders. The
Chinese consul-general is much in favor Of
the Chinese method In dealing with these
wretches. In China the highbinder is de-
capitated when caught and If he escapes,
and refuses TO surrender few OF his near
est relatives have their heads cut off. The
consul general IS so much in earnest about
the resent killing that he is about to recon-
mend to his government that the relativ es
in China of oil known San Francisco high.
binders be treated in the manner above
stated. All proclamations in Chinatown
unless they bear the oonsups stamp are to
be taken down, and thus one hIghbinder
method of terrorizing Will be ont Of.