The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-23
HIGHBINDERS.
Christianized Chfnaman Tells of
Initiation Methods.

Christianized ChfBaman Tells of
Initiation Methods.
San Francisco Newsletter.
Few people. even in San Francisco have
q correct idea of the Chinese Highbinder
and the cause Of the frequent wars in the
Chinese quarter. The word Highbinder Is.
perhaps. a localism, and il has no especial
meaning. 1t was applied by the police TO
the societies of Chinese assassins because
they did not know the names of the socie-
ties. According to the statements of a
Christianized Chinese to one OF the mission
teachers, there are i'm this city several
such societies. with a membership OF from
fifty to perhaps two hundred each. They
have names indicating that they are
bands of brotherhood" but the members
are professional assassins and will kill any
one for pay.
They are bound by oaths. like the car
bonari of Italy, and traitor meets death
at the hands OF one of the members, who
is selected by lot. The organizations differ
i'm detail. but the main object OF all is the
same-to rob and murder The organization
of one Of the largest Highbinder societies
in the Chinese quarter is partly described
by this Christianized Chinaman. who was
certainly member, but who said that his
cousin told him. They are a chief a Sec
ond chief, secretary, an ''introducer" and
eight swordsmen. The candidate for adj
mission unplaits his queue, indicating his
abject submission TO his superior officers
He is then led into the room by the
Official introducer, red robe In thrown
over him and he il required TO kneel under
an arch Of eight swords One Of these
swordsmen places the blade OF sword upon
the back OF candidates neck as an indi-
cation of his fate II he betrays his associ-
ates. The chief, dressed in req. sits on Q
small platform. which is draped In the
same color. and TO his right IL the book
containing the oaths. passwords and signs
OF the order. IL IL said a few years ago the
police captured one Of these books and had
it translated The society then adopted a
new manual. There are number OF oaths.
the principal one binding the members TO
obey the orders OF the society without
question. and the rules prescribe penalties
for refusal.
When the candidate is taking the oath
his finger Is pierced with needle and the
blood drops into a glass OF wine held by
the member who stands sponsor for him.
They both drink from this glass. sgnifyinx
that they are OF the same society and OF
the same blood relationship" The grips
and passwords then communicated TO
him, and he is now fullnedged Highlander
An assassin for pay
When the society receives a commission
TO Kill a man a good Ratchet man il ee-
lected to do the bloody work. Or. IL IL In a
war. the society details a number OF its
best shots The blood money goes into the
common fund and is used for the defense
of criminals. care OF the wounded and pen
sions IL sent TO the state prison The sur
plus Is divided according 10 the rank and
services rendered. III highlander Is killed
while i'm the discharge OF his bloody work
the society gives him large funeral. sends
his bones to China and pays his family a
small pension. a society will not abandon
any of its members in trouble. and viii fee
a lawyer as long as IL has a dollar or can
get funds by forced loans threats OF as
sassination.
These societies levy tribute upon mer-
chants. and IL not paid robbery or perhaps
assassination follows They terrorixe the
depraved women and collect from them
sums weekly; also from the owners OF these
women. III the owner refuses 20 be black
mailed they steal or forcibly tale one OF his
women and hold her for a reward or sell
her TO some other bagnio keeper. Some
times the bagnio keeper hires a rival So
ciety 10 protect his dens. Then there Is war
between two Highlander societies.
When one society invades the district OF
another war Is the result. The rival
bands OF outlaws have the Chinese quarter
divided. and IL Is violation OF treaty 10
plumber or murder In each others territory.
The gaming houses are also steady source
OF revenue. paying an agreed sum weekly
TO be let alone. The highlander societies are
a terror TO the merchants. who would glad
~ see them driven out OF the city Then
peace would reign in the Chinese quarter.