Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-07-10
Chinese Superstition.

SOME time ago, when writing to YOU,
gave you brief account of the depreda-
tlons OF the tigers to the west of Annoy.
Since then news has arrived of their hay
ing appeared in the mountains that lie
about fifty miles north Of this. From all
accounts they appear to be committing
great havoc, and to have become the ter
ror OF the region they inhabit. In the
course OF three or four months they have
Killed twenty persons, and, of course, an
INDEFINITE number of pigs, etc A certain
temple, which is situated away in lonely
spot among these hills, has been rendered
tenantless and uninhabitable by them. A
short time since it was occupied by three
PERSONA priest laboring man whom
he had engaged to assist him in tilling a
few helds belonging to the temple and the
mother OF the latter One evening. in re-
turning from the fields, they were set
upon by the tigers, and the whole of them
Killed. Such terror has taken possession
OF the country people that they dare not
go out early IN the morning, or after a
certain hour in the afternoon The farm
efs, each morning, are accustomed to as
semble together, and, after beating of
gongs and firing of guns, they feel that
they may go in safety to their fields Va
rlous consultations have been held among
the wise heads, both as to the cause of the
Eruption OF these unwelcome visitors and
the means by which they might be re-
pressed. The result, as is often the case
in such deliberations, has not been very
satisfactory. 1t was at first believed that
these animals would, of course be under
the control of the god Of the earth and
the spirits of the mountains. The elders of
the people accordingly selected spot in
full view OF all the prominent hills around
and there offered sacrifice to these inyisi
bic nothlngs, at the same time implorin,
them to lay stringent I'M functions on tn
tigers that they should behave themselves
IN more becoming manner for the future
The tigers replied to this challenge by the
very next day devOuring another man, and
by repeating the same process whenever
chance gave them an opportunity. After
another consultation among those who
were supposed to know all about such
matters, it was decided that these animals
were not, in reality, tigers after ALL but
| certain powerful demons that, for the time
being, had assumed the form of tigers, in
order the more effectually to carry out
their feelings Of hatred to man It was,
therefore, decided to apply to the Imperial
Tauist priest, who is regarded as the very
nigh priest and Pope OF the Tauist persua-
sion, and who is believed to be able to
, control the spirits, and to have infallible
specifics for bringing them to submission
The wise heads advised that messenger
should be sent to him for yellow paper
charms, to be posted in convenient places
on the hills, which should have the effect
of driving the tigers altogether out of that
neighbOrhood. The less knowing, and
such as werc not initiated into the mys
teries of spirit life, took more practical
view of the matter, and suggested that this
plan would not only be expensive, but also
| risky as there was no certainty that the
| charms of the imperial wizard would be
successful. 1t was proposed, instead, that
foreigner from Annoy should be invited
to come up and kill the tigers. This pro
posal was evidently popular one; for 8
deputatlOn was at once sent to Annoy, who
somehow or other found their way to my
place. They had very sorrowful tale tC
| tell, and they begged me to assist them il
! the object for which they had come tC
| Amoy.-An0y Letter to .Shdnghai Courier