The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-19
CHINESE HIGHBINDERs.
The Oaths They Take and the Methods
They Employ.

They Employ.
]. N. Seaman. in San Francisco News Let
ter.
Few people, even IN San Francisco, have
correct idea Of the Chinese highlander
and the cause or the frequent wars In the
Chinese quarter. The word highlander is,
perhaps, localism, and II has no special
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 in this city several such
to, perhaps, two hundred each. They have
names indicating that they are bands OF
brotherhood" but the members are profess
sional assassins, and will kill any one for
pay.
They are bound by oaths like the Carbon
nara or Italy, and traitor meets death
at the hands of one of the members, who
is selected by lot. The organizations differ
In detail, but the main object of all is tho
same-to rob and murder. The organization
of one Of the largest highlander societies in
the Chinese quarter is partly described by
this ChristianiZed Chinaman, who was GER
tainly member, but who said that his
ond chief, secretary, an 'introducer" and
eight swordSmen. The candidate for admis-
sion unplaits his queue, indicating his alb
ject submission to his superior officers.
He is then led into the room by the official
introducer, red robe is thrown over him,
and he is required to kneel under an arch
of eight swords. One of these swordsmen
places the blade of a sword upon the back
of the candidates neck as an indication OF
his fate If he betrays his associates. The
chief, dressed in red, sits on a small plat
form, which Is draped in the same color,
and to his right is the book containing the
oaths, passwords and signs of the order.
In raid few years ago the police cap
tured one of these books and had il trans
lated The society then adopted a new
manual. There are a 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 ringer Is pierced with needle and the
blood drops into glass of wine held by
the member who stands sponsor for him.
They both drink from this glass. signifying
that they are of the same society and OF
the same blood relationship" The grips
and passwords are then communicated to
him and he Is now ful-hedged highlander
An assassin for pay
When the society receives a commission
to kin a man good Ratchet man is select
ed TO do the bloody work. Or, If it is
war, the society details a number of it's
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 states prison. The
surplus is divided according to the rank
and services rendered. If highlander is
killed while in the discharge of his bloody
work the society gives him a large funeral,
sends his bones to China and pays his fam
lily a small pension. society will not
will fee a lawyer as long as it has dollar
or can get funds by forced loans or threats
Of assassination.
These societies levy tribute upon mer-
chants, and IL not paid robbery, or, per-
haps assassination follows. They terrorize
the depraved women and collect from them
sums weekly; also from the owners OF
these women. If the owner refuses to be
blackmailed they steal or forcibly take one
Of his women and hold her for a reward
or sell her to some other bagnio keeper.
Sometimes the bagnio keeper hires a rival
society to protect his dens. Then there is
a war between two highlander societies.
When one society invades the district OF
another a war is the result. The rival
bands of outlaws have the Chinese quarter
divided. and Ii is violation of treaty to
plumber or murder in each others territory.
The gaming houses are also a steady source
of revenue, paying an agreed sum weekly
TO be let alone. The highlander societies
are terror to the merchants, who would
gladly see them driven out of the city.
Then peace would reign in the Chinese
quarter.