Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-21

Fresno, Gala, April 20.-A bloody
Highbinder war that has been expected
for several days broke out in China
town this morning, and as result
three Mongolians are in the morgue,
two more are at the county hospital
fatally wounded, and nine are behind
the bars in the county Jail.
The officers have anticipated an out
break for some time, as it was known
that large numbers Of Ratchet men
had arrived here from San Francisco,
but so cunning were their plans that
not an officer was close enough to wit
ness the opening of the battle. The
Chinese had decoyed the policemen on
duty in the district to various quarters
remote from the scene of their intend
ed onslaught.
Upon hearing the first shot Police
man Rapelji, who was block away,
ran to the alley north of Tulare street,
where he saw two Chinese firing into
the body of third Chinese who lay at
their feet. Further up the alley were
at least dozen Chinese running about
and blazing away at each other. AS
Rapelji ran up the alley Chinaman
ran past him, pursued by Hlghblnd-
er. The fugitive made for a doorway,
but was dropped on the steps by bull
let from the Highbinder's gun, which
struck him in the head, killing him in
stantly. Rapelji captured the muir
derer who gave his name as Wong
Duck.
Policeman Morss, who was running
to the scene of the shooting, saw a
Highlander run up to a Chinaman
named Chin Chi, who was standing in
a doorway, and deliberately fired two
shots at him, killing him instantly.
The murderer then started to run,
whereupon Morss ordered him to stop,
but instead the Highbinder threw his
gun at Morsss head. AS he continued
| to run, Morss fired, the bullet pene-
-trating the Chinaman's back, and he
| is now at the hospital not expected
to live.
The fight is a factional one between the
Bing Kung longs and the Suey On Tongs.
The fight created much excitement ana
more trouble is feared in Chinatown. 1t
is remarkable that there were no more
victims, as 50 shots were fired. AT one
Iiuhh
standing on a street corner discharging
their revolyers as fast poss- BILE at the
entrance of a stairway leading to a room
over the store of tine King Yick Company.
Only the prompt action of the officers
prevented more serious riottng. After
quiet had been restored raid on the sus-
pected haunts of the Highbinders was
made, and, in one place were found three
coats of mail and a small arsenal of re-
volvers, hatchets and knives. Nine men
were arrested on suspicion. Three were
charged with vagrancy and three with
murder. One of them had 45-caliber
pistol, five boxes of cartridges and par
of brass knuckles on him at the time of
his arrest.
Three of the victims have been Identified.
One is All Tai a vegetable peddler. He
the dead is Chin Chez, well known
H:ghbinder. and another is Lee On Tong,
a peddier. The trouble which led to the
murders commenced with the conviction
of Tai Chol, who was yesterday removed
to San Quentin to serve a ten years sem
tence for murder in the second degree.
The local Tongs were sharply divided on
the issue. The matter was rendered more
acute when Gee Wing, who had evidently
sold some property on China Alley for
5000, fled from the State to escape his
creditors. number of laborers to whom
he owed sums ranging from so to $50
instituted criminal proceedings. Mean
while the Highbinders had taken the mat
ter up and it is believed that one of their
objects was to blackmail Gee Wing or to
bring about a forcible settlement of the
laborer's claims.