Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-04
THE COMING MAN.


Three Hundred Chfnnmeu ~ the
wharf with 800 Feet OF Pig Tail.
This morning about nine o'clock q
prolonged whistle from river steamer
announced the coming Of the Mississippi
from 81. Louis, with the " Celestial Van
guard" Of the "ihree hundred thousand
more Father Abraham " coming, coming
from the land Of chop-sticks and pig
tails. In few minutes large crowd
had assembled on the wharf ready TO
board the steamer az soon as abe
touched the bank. The account which
was published in the LEDGER Of Friday
descriptive Of the Chinese in ST. Louis
put everybody on the qui rice, though
the steamer was delayed on the way and
many had become discouraged and
ceased 10 stand watch on the bluff. But
when the steamer threw out her plank
en- immense crowd attempted to rush on
board. Oar reporter Joined the throug,
and after long scramble, strong
scramble and scramble altogether in
| the crowd, succeeded in obtaining q
glimpse of the newcomers.
They are o. swarthy.looking breed,
about the color of a Poplar street car, or,
to use an illustration more generally un-
derstood, the color Of yellow dog. The
| Choo Fsys will please not take any ex-
ceptiona to this comparison, and we pre-
sumo they will not, for We understand
that they are very fond of dog meat, es-
teeming il great delicacy. The coming
man is not prepossessng in his appear
ance, though evidently very good natured
and industrious. AS laboring element Of
our population, they might eventually be-
come us@ll when they are scclimated
fairly and learn what is required of them.
The most Of this crowd of three hundred
is below medium size; they dress like
our own laborers, and at least half Of
them retain the traditional pig-tsil that
heretofore we have only seen on tea
boxes and 10 picture books for children
These tails are mostly bound up in Q
waterfall at the back ofthe head. Soma Of
them who have been in this country three
or four years can speak ineligible Eng
lish, but the majority can get cut nothing
but a tumble Of jargon, which sounds
| Just like the hieroglyphics look on a tea
box. 1t is estimated at a rough guess
that there are FIVE hundred feet of pig-tsi
on the Mississippi. This ia guess work
we confess; but the boxes of dried min
nows, lizards, tadpoles and young rat
are no guesses or joke; and thu
thoughts of dining with the party woul'
not be O joke either. II would be {
serious consideration. They have
good deal of luggage with them of on
sort or another, and seem to be enjoying
themselves.
The negroes crowd around and eagerl,
4
scan the invader of Southe fields. On
of them said: "De white folks brudde
come sure \" Another exclaimed: "Wh
dat id yaller cuss amt no better looki
dan we ia r. and thousand ludicrou
remarks we're made.
The entire party is destined for tn
Central Texas railroad, where they, vii
get thirty dollars per month in coin an
board themselves. They are under tn
charge of Major W. Il. Rhes, formerl
ofthe Avalanche and Gen. ]. G. Walker
of Texas, the original importer G
Chinese laborers, Koopmanschsp to tn
contrary Notwithstanding. Gen. Wake
is the man to apply to for Chinese ID
borers. Major Rhes will remain her
some days, and can be consulted on tn
subject, The steamer Mississippi, CON
mauded by the urbane aud popular mas
ter, Capt. Nat Green, with Creighton,
prince of good fellows, at the deak, wi
leave this afternoon about five O'Clock
Until that time the Chinese can be see
Mt the foot of Monroe street free of charge