The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-02-04
MORNING, FEBRUARY 5, 1870. -. -
Prom the ssn Francisco Bulletin.
Chinese Funeral Ceremonies. :
sACmFICEs TO TIE GoDs-rHE MoURNERs
INTMIDATrNG WICKED GODS. ~


sACRIrIcEs TO TIE GoDs-THE MoURNERs
INTIMIDATING WICKED GODS.
Three days since, In this city, Mt his
house on jackson street, died All Poy, a
Chinese merchant. The disease which
bailled the skill Of Chinese doctors and
carried him of was q lingering consump-
ton. Little could be learned Of tho de-
ceased, save that he was born at Canton,
and Mt an early age entered upon mercan-
tile pursuits. He came to this country
and continued his native avocation. He
died at the ago Of fiity-nine years. AT
first tho exhibitions of sorrow were In
private by his relatives and friends. The
remains were placed in o metallic case
for shipment to Canton-the only city In
the world from which Chinaman can
properly or safely ascend to the realms Of
spirits. It was determined that rs the
malignant dcities had manifested peculiar
activity in protracting All Poy's suffer-
ings. particular and extraordinary means
should be taken to appease them or fright
en- them away, and Mt the same time to
propitiate the good gods. The rooms in
which the private exercises were had
were too small, and the leaders of the
ceremonies obtained permission from
Chief Crowley TO occupy portion Of the
sidewalk on jackson street for public
exhibition. Accordingly. ut an early
hour yesterday. man dressed in priestly
robes came out of the house, holding in
one hand a large OK horn. He applied
II to his lips, and, elevating the instru-
ment blew shrill and sharp into all quar-
tiers Of the heavens. This Is supposed to
have started the evil ones into q compre-
hension of the fact that some demonstra.
tion was about to be made against them.
After blowing the horn for several min
utes, the l,riets was succeeded by other
men with bells, and these were jingled
and beaten till the din was hideous. II
was more than the Intervals could stand,
and they rctreated pell-mcll in every di-
rcction. Some flew down jackson street,
some up the street, others into the ada
cont alleys, and still others to the head.
quarters of the Anti-Coolie Society.
While tho bells were ringing, and only
good gods were around in the mir, the
mourners canic out into the street. Then
the coffin was brought out and placed on
the sidewalk, drapcd with red, white and
green cloths. The mouners, OF whom
there were about d,.zcn--sll women but
one were dressed in white robes, with
white cowls on their head. The hair on
the woniens' heads was dishevcled. Sew
eral of them wept in genuine manner,
but the rest howled in such way rs to
justify the statement made by some In Mt
tendance that they were hired mourners.
When the coffin was put down. the mourn
ers filed around it several tines weeping.
wailing and throwing up their hands, and
then all bowed themselves with their faces
to the ground and remained In that pos
ition several hours.
On the sidewalk, below the coffin, were
ranged three or four wide tables, and on
these were deposited the sacrifcial offer
ings. There were five roasted hogs-full
size-with tips of tinscl on their ears, and
wreaths about their snouts. Three sheep,
skinned and laid on large pans, occupied
prominent places. Then there were
chickens roasted whole, with many color
ed candies melted and run over them in
imitation of robes. They were set up
right In edible chairs, with their necks
Strengthened, and fantastic covers placed
ON top of their heads. Their claws were
bent up and made to grasp spears, darts,
and exercising wands. Several roosters
had been baked till they were brown. and
yet the feathers on their wings, the wat
ties on their nccks, and the crcsts on their
heads were not even wilted. These, too.
were ornamcnted with tinscl and paper.
Several large crabs from Meiggs' whalf
lay in the center of tho table, and were
set off with ornaments like NIL the rest OF
the offering. There were numerous pyr-
amids of fruit, also, apples, pears, grapes
and nuts; pyramids Of high-colored,
grcasy-looking cakes; loaf limitations OF
lambs, goats, ducks. &C.. covered with
melted confectionery; piles Of joss sticks
and sacred tapers, with rows Of them
burning, smoking and spluttering on the
borders of the table; strips Of red, white.
and yellow paper bearing mysterious
characters doll-looking images at several
points; and everywhere tinsel. paper.
smoke fumes, and insufierable stencil.
The streets were blocked by tho throng of
Cinnamon, negroes. and "superiors," but
In the crowd next the coffin and free lunch
table Of the gods, women predominated.
They were degraded and diseased look
ing set for the most part, and seemed To
be riveted in their tracks by idle curiosity.
A limo of hacks and n rank of badger
ing hackmen occupied ono side Of tho
street, waiting for their "loads." .HH ''r
At l2 NJ. an old white headed woman
came out of the house, bearing in her
skinny arms q huge load Of tinseled pa
per. She threw it on the pavement, and
taking lighted joss stick, set tho mass
on fire. Then other women brought out
some curious looking images, about two
feet high, and supposed to be represents
tives Of several prominent nnti-coolicities.
Al a ..l n