The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1860-10-11
SINGULAR CEREMONY IN 4 CALI.
FORNIA COUkT.sA ADMlNlSTERI
TIE OATH TO CELESrIAuS.


A number of Chinese were recently ar
raigned before Judge Creanor, Of tho
District Court of Sonora, Tuilumne coun
ty, for the murder of one of their coun-
trymen at Big Oak Flat, some months
since. The Sonora Democrat thus de-
'cribes striking scene in court during
the trial:
When the witnesses were placed upon
the stand, considerable difficulty was cx-
perienced with regard to their taking the
required oath. The interpreter-au in
telligent Chinaman, who took the obliga-
tion in the usual form--informed tho
court that, in order to administer an inn
be necessary to conform to the custom of
the Chinese, which was by cutting chick
ems heads off and going through certain
other ceremonies, such as burning paper.
candles, &c. This announcement, it
must be confessed, rather staggered the
court. Judge G. had never before been
called upon to anything Of the kind, al
though he had seen ten years active SER
vice on the bench in California. and it
was somewhat of a poser with him low
to 60 about it, Finally, after being sat
isfied that By no other means could they
be made to understand the solemnity and
import of an oath, the requisite number
of shanc chais were ordered, and pretty
soon they made themselves hcard in
court.
Then followed a scene which attracted
the attention Of all, and which we shall
not soon forget.
The chickens we're taken out on the
balcony Of the court room, and there the
half dozen witnesses repaired, after each
received piece Of marked yellow paper,
about the size of a mans hand. On the
railing of the balcony, four colored can
dies, each six inches in length, were
lighted, on the right and left Of which
were bundles of thin sticks. (we believe
they are called Joss sticks also on fire.
Pretty, soon after all the preiminarics
had been satisfactorily arranged, ono Of
the Cinnamon stepped forward, and after
mumbling over some words, the exact
meaning Of which we failed TO c0mprc-
h'hh, hhtit uIou oic ltS ~ i"tu itbII W
a chicken with one hand, and the hatch-
ct with the other, and in 4 twinkIinr
dealt The former blow across the neck,
which put an end at once to its earthly
career. Then rising, i'm acdiatc'y after
the consummation of this bloody act, he
bowed reverently three times before tho
lighted alter, which probably represent
ed his joss, lighted his yellow paper, cast
it on the floor and retired. Another
came forward, went through the same
operation, each sacrificing chicken, un.
til the whole number were thus sworn to
tell "the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the TRUTH" so help them
Joss. After the ceremony was over, tho
trial proceeded in the usual manner, with
the exception Of there being little more
gesticulation and loud jargon than is
general in the court All this Jossing
was very funny and novel to the "out-
side barbarians," who seemed to relish
ish it greatly, although John was in no
wise disconnected at their eager curiosi-
ties and derisive smiles. 1t was one of
the scenes which are not witnessed every
day, even in California, aud We doubt
lean union such prccStdtpng! tp !hs uA Aver 9va;
transpircd. Truly may it be said, that
our people enjoy many sights to which
their brethren Of the Atlantic States are