Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-06-05
A STRANGE CEREMONY.
The Queer Manner in Which Alice, the An
gel" was Welded to Charles Jamison In
San Francisco.

The Queer Manner in Which Alice, the An
GEL" was Welded to Charles Jamison in
San Francisco.
The San Francisco Call of recent date
says: Charles Jamison, an interpreter of
Chinese and English, born in China but
educated in this city, was married last
night, "a Ch6nOSSe, to young Chinese
girl named All Gay, which being trans
lated means "Alice. the Angel" This is
the first marriage according to Chinese
rites that has ever taken place IN this city.
Miss All Gay, who is about eighteen years
of age, was Iew days ago placed in
charge of two matrons, who busted them
selves in instructing her in her duties as
wife. A number of the relatives of the
groom yesterday morning sent Miss All
Gay presents of cakes, on which were
printed notices of congratulations and
wishes Of prosperity in her new sphere of
life. A large number of merchants and
the president of the Six Companies Wis
tied Chinese restaurant on Jackson
street, where banquet was to be given
after the Ceremoney, and deposit with the
proprietor sums of money varying from
one to ten dollars to be given to the groom.
Each individual donation was wrapped
In strip OF red paper and marked with
with the name Of the donor, and the pack
ages when endorsed were delivered to the
groom, who according to the custom of
his country, was in duty bound to seek
out the donors and extend to each a per-
sonal invitation to the banquet One
hundred and eleven Cinnamon made do
nations, and as the groom had to invite
each one Of these he had no light task be-
fore him.
The groom had selected for his future
home two rooms on the first floor of the
old Baptist Church building on Washing
ton street. Those he fitted in part with
Chinese and American furniture. On the
walls were hung number of large strips
of red paper, on which were stamped
Chinese proverbs relating to marriage and
married life. On table in the first
room were lacquered trays, containing
Chinese dried fruits and sweetmeats,
while on others were tiny cups for tea.
There were also on the table Chinese
ornaments and several water-pipes.
Yesterday afternoon, at about five
O'Clock, the female chaperones conducted
the girl in their charge to the rooms of
her future husband, but before she
crossed the threshold of the door they
threw a heavy handkerchief over her
head, and shut out everything from her
sight. This they told her was to warn
her that in entering the married state
she was cropping in the dark future, but
that, placing implicit faith in the hus-
band, and relying upon him to guide
her, she need not fear of making a mis-
step. She was then conducted to the
first room, and then to the room adjoin-
ing, where she met the man who was to
become her husband. He was standing
by bed IN the room, and as she ap
preached the handkerchief was removed
from her head, and both sat on the edge
of the bed. In sitting down he intention
ally sat on a portion of the silken Skin
she wore. She made no attempt to re-
move the garment, by allowing him tt
remain seated On her garment gave proc
that she was his captive and willing tt
submit to his orders. Had she, however
drawn her garment toward her it would
have been proof that she would not b.
submissive, and would not obey him I'm
less she felt inclined to do so. The pal
then knelt before a small altar from
which hung ancestral tablets, each Offered
prayer, after which they went into tn,
other room, where they seated themselve
One of the chaperones poured tea
into two of the cups, and offered these t,
the groom and BRIDE, telling each to TAX
sip. This being done, they took tn
cups again, mixed the contents, and re
turning them to the pair, told them II
drink, saying that as their lips had touch
ed the beverage, they would draw inspir
alton from each other by partaking O
the mixture.
The bride, accompanied by the cha
perones, followed by the groom and som
relatives, formed a procession and left tn
house, amid the explosion OF fire-cracker:
and marched through Stout's alley to tn
restaurant on Jackson street, where tn
guests were waiting on the third floor
As the party assembled the stairs an OF
chestra played'an air which stretch c
imagination might construe into a wed
ding march. As the bride entered tn
room where the guests were assembled
she was supported by the two chaporone'
and had her face hid from view by larg
fan. She was led around to each of th
guests, and as she approached curtsie
three times. The guest returned til
.curtesy, and then recited proverb,
which the bride replied. After havin
gone through this ordeal Ill times, tt
party sat down to banquet gotten up
the highest style of Chinese culinary al
The first course, which lasted nearly tw
hours, being over, the bride was escorte
to her home again.
During the evening Gail reporte
who had attended the banquet, was aske
by the gaoom to pay visit to the Bird
On the way to the brides home the groo
said: 81 have been married in the trl
Chinese fashion to please my Chine
friends. The ceremonies. last sew
days, and at the capitalization of the Sc
enth day / will go before a justice of Il
peace and be married in American fas
ion. Now, before you see my wife I mu
give you some Instructions. When W
enter the room you must take seat, al
then the old women who have charge
the bride will bring her from the 9th
room and she will offer you cup of t
and some sWeetmeats. You must ia.
the offering and say thank YOU for
you did not take it she would look up
your refusal as an insult. The report
expressed Willingness to follow
structions, and after having been sho1
to seat in the bridal house, was reque