River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-03-18
MILL CITY HAS
BOMB MYSTERY
EXPLOSION TEARS AWAY FRONT
OF CHOP SUEY HOUSE.
Highbinders Are Suspected = Revolver
Firing and False Fire Alarm
Disturb Early Morn
ing Hours.

/ Minneapolis, March ia deafen'
ing explosion that rocked the sur
rounding buildings, attracted the at
tention of late pedestrians and
brought dozen detectives and uni
formed officers to % Sixth street
S, occurred at Yuen Faung Lows chop
sued house, at o'clock a. m. Sunday
In the first confusion it was believed
that an attempt had been made to
blow a safe and that something had
gone wrong with the soup or nitro
glycerine used by the yeggmen, for
the entrance to the Chinese restau-
rant was entirely wrecked. which
seemed to indicate premature ex-
p1osion.
Investigation showed, however, that
robbery had not been the motive. The
outrage had more the appearance of
having been planned and executed by
someone who had a grudge against
the proprietor and who wanted to re-
venge himself by destroying his
enemy's property.
The door at the foot of the stair
way that leads to the second floor,
where the restaurant is located, was
blown out; the door at the head OF
the stairs had been torn from its
hinges and splintered, the pieces
crashing through a glass cigar case
standing Immediately inside the en-
trance, smashing it into a thousand
pieces; the large plate glass window
in front had been forced out by the
concussion and lay smashed on the
small balcony; the lath and plaster
in the hallway and on one side of
the room were entirely demolished,
while carvings, clothes racks electric
lights and other fixtures were torn
from their places.
When the place closest up for the
night at o'clock. Yuen left for his
home. Four men, Hi Lung, Sam Chug,
Qui Tow and Wa Kee, slept in the
place and were disturbed at o'clock
by someone who tried to enter. The
stranger refused to desist in his eff
forts when told he would not be adj
mitted and Hi finally ran to the rear
window and blew a police whistle,
also firing off a revolver to attract at
tention. Immediately afterwards the
explosion occurred.
1t was evident that bomb had
been placed at the bottom of the up
per door, which was indicated by the
burns in the floor and on the walls.
The explosive used was powder, for
the place fairly reeked of the smoke.
Apparently no attempt was made
to rob the place, although there was
more than $500 in the cash register,
which was only few feet from the
entrance. The most stringent in
quiries failed to elicit any informa-
ton from Yuen, but it is surmised
that the "Highbinders,' secret Chi
nese society," may have been respon-
| sible for the outrage, as it is asserted
| there are two factions of Chinese in
the city that are always at daggers
| drawn.
The proprietor said that he was not
aware of having made any enemies
while he has been in business here.
! One man refused to pay his bill Sun
| day morning and was put out OF the
place. but the police are not inclined
| to believe that a man would revenge
| himself in such manner on a thrilling
provocation. Another man who Is
said to have uttered threats against
Yuen on several occasions is also be-
! ing sought. The police know who he
is but have been unable to locate him.
It is asserted that the man is dement,
ed and on that account, they say, 1t
is probable that he may have con-
ceived the insane idea of blowing up
the place.
When the explosion occurred, Ernie
Simpson, 622 Hennepin avenue, who
happened to be in the neighborhood,
turned in fire alarm and soon the
street swarmed with firemen; but no
fire resulted and only members of the
insurance patrol remained to clean up
the debris and watch the place until
daylight.
Among the officers who were at
tracted by the explosion, which could
be heard for Is blocks, were Detec'
tives Fox and BezansOn, Sergeant
Johnston and Patrolmen Healy and
Nolan. They made every effort TO
trace the miscreant who had caused
the disaster, but were unable to hnd
any definite clue.
AS a direct result of the explosion
the Sunday lid came near being lifted,
for the plate glass window in the front
Of g. 7 Johnson's saloon on the first
aoo,. 1uac smashed and it was notice
able that many thirsty pedestrians
looked with longing eyes at the bot
ties of whisky which were thus left
without any protection.