The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-09
A REMARKABLE LAYOUT.
ELABORATE OPIUM PIPE NOW IN
THIS CITY.
The straugs mud EvsntfuI History of
the Oldest Layout IN the
United States.

Sincs the publication in The HERALD
a few days ago OF an article showing the
extent TO which opium smoking is car
ried on in this city, considerable talk
has been INDUCED in about the dens of
Chinatown and the depravsd and de-
graded specimens OF humanity who fre~
quent them.
Speaking o! the dsns and tho layouts
used by Opium smokers, o well-known
gentleman OF this city whose busine 81
makes him frequentsr of Chinatown
Gays that there is now in this city what
is probably the most remarkable end
also the most expensive Layout in
America.
The present owner of the layout ia not
anxious that his identity be made
known, though he is not victim Of
the long draw" himself. The gentle
man who gives the information declares
that it Ia the oldest pipe of the kind in
the United States and possibly in the
world. lie history can be traced back
for 50 years. and it is known to have
been uaed in Europe, Asis and Africa.
1t is known that ns early So 1914
Chinese mandarin of Ming Pc dreamed
dreams with this pipe by his side. In
moment OF generosity he gave il to
Dung Wung Sang, a faithful attendant.
1t was handed down as an heirloom in
the Sang family, and at length waH
brought to this country in 1878.
Previous to this time the pipe and its
owners had enjoyed responsibility of
character. Soon after the pipe reached
San Francisco it began a checkered
career. 1t was stolen by gambler,
taken 90 Chicago end sold to George
CLARK, another devotee OF the green
cloth. Clark brought it to New York,
where a Chinaman saw it and recognized
the "hoodoo" on it. He bought it for
$40.
Some unknown persons again took the
Layout" west, this time to Sacramento,
where it fell into the hands of "Big
Dick" Simms, we'll known character
in the shady circles of the west. He
took it to Chicago once more and sold it
to DR.. Kane, who gave it to John Wall
lace. an expert western "bunco" man.
Wallace in turn gave it to George Apo.
who ia now wearing the buckskin in
Tom" Gould's play. In the Tenderloin.
Apo developed great affection for
the pipe. go great Cnat ne Carried III
with him on many off daring enter
prises. II was his solace during his
three years. stay in Canada, and it was
only when he was forced to serve term
in prison that he parted with it. A Mr..
Trip was the custodian of the pipe uu-
til Apo was released. when he at once
rsgained possession Of bis favorite. He
traced it's history, wrote and subscribed
to it. and gave the pipe and accessories
to Mr.. Lennon.
There is nothing peculiar in the APP
pearance of the pipe. except that it is
very dark in color. showing that 1t has
been we'll seasoned. 1t has an ivory
mouth piece and powerful odor. The
"hoodoo" on the stem resem bles frog,
fanksd by two frogle;s.
In addition to the pipe, the layout
comprises lamp. needle, scissors, hook
for cleaning out the ashes from the
bowl, and an opium box.
The Layout" has contributed to the
comfort OF women. One woman whose
name is familiar to New Workers often
went to Appo's place to have him
smoke for her. She would lie back in
chair and inhale the fumes which Apo
drew from the pipe. More than once he
had to smoke more than So worth OF
opium to satisfy her.