Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-16
TELLS WEIRD
CHINESE TALE
LINEMAN DESCRIBES CITY
UNDERGROUND
QUARTER is sU5TERRANEAN
MYSTERY
Electric Workers Story of Plant Be-
meath Houses StartIes Police Off,
ciaIs, Who Immediately Be-
gin investigation

Information that Chinatown, as it ap-
pears to the casual observer, is but
blind and that the real Chinatown, the
place where the dark tong plots are
Matched, is far below the surface of the
streets, and that only the highest officers
of the tongs are aware of the methods
of entrance, has been carried to the police,
Officers working out of the central
station are now doing all in their power
to run down the clews which have been
given them and hope within day or so
to get the truth of the story.
According to officers connected with the
department, this information was gained
through a chance remark dropped by
lineman in the employe of well known
local firm of contractors.
This man, according to the officers,
was heard to say that he had at one
time been employed to string wires for
electric lights and telephones through
subterranean passages and rooms.
officers were Immediately detailed to
seek out this man, and within a few days
learned his identity and took him to the
police station.
Tells Remarkable Story
There the following story was told the
police.
Seven years ago l was employed by
firm of contractors in Los Angeles. one
night my employer approached me and
said that Chinese merchant had re-
ouested him to send reliable man who
would not object to being absent a
week. to do some work for i'm.
''I agreed to go. The following day
met the Chinese merchant and with him
went to Chinatown. We walked down
Apablasa street until we came to curio
store, which we entered
There l was informed that 1 must
submit to being blindfolded before they
would allow me to start the work.
was frightened, but as they had offered
me exceptional wages l agreed.
after covering my eyes with hand
kerchief 1 was led up one fight of stairs
and down another until my mind became
so confused that l could not tell If
was on the street level or the fifth
story.
"At last we stopped and my guides
tied a rope around my chest. 1 was
then lowered many feet downward until
at last my feet touched solid earth.
In subterranean City
"When the bandage was removed
found 1 was in a long passage dimly
lighted with candles. My guides then
explained to me what they wished and
showed me tools, wires, globes, genera
tors and motors; in fact, everything nec-
essary to carry on the work. 1t had
evidently been provided several weeks
before.
| "I was told what was wanted, and fol
nearly ten days / worked through the
| passageways and rooms. At last l com
pleted the work and notified my EN-
| ployers that / was ready to go home.
"I was then provided with a goot
| sum of money, much more than haC
been promised me, and Informed that l.
| 1 went to another city L would find 6
| good position awaiting me.
"I did not hesitate to take advantage
of the offer, and the following morning
left Los Angeles. 1 have been absent
from Los Angeles until about week
ago, when 1 returned
II did not mean that my remark
should be carried to the police. as all
the time 1 was working in China town
l was treated with the utmost consid-
Grafton by the men L met.
1.-The rooms in the subterranean city
were well fitted up and furnished nicely.
There was plenty of room there to house
a large number of men, and 1 also know
there were several entrance ways.
"I could not find my way into the
place, however, and all I know about it
is that it was there seven years ago."
Police Guard Secret
The police at the present time are
keeping secret the identity of the man
who told this story, and did not wish
it to leak out until they had time to
make a thorough investigation.
During the last two days patrolmen
from the central station have investigat-
ed all the buildings in the district, but
have been unable to find any clew which
causes them to believe the underground
city is there.
Men familiar with conditions in the
district laugh at the story as told by the
wireman and say some person is endeav-
oring to perpetrate a hoax on the de-
partment.
The officers continue to search, how
ever, and say It is probable strange
finds may be made soon.