Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-22
CHINESE MASONIC BURIAL.
interesting Service Over the
Grave of LOi MOng Bang,
Killed in n Coal Mine.
Cor. Courier-JournaI.

COMO, COL, Way lz,-InlS funeral
was very interesting, the burial of a
Chinese Mason being a rare occur.
renee. A few weeks ago, at the burial
Of a Celestial, a mob prevented the
usual peculiar mixture of prayers and
provisions. On this occasion the
Sheriff guaranteed to them full pro-
lection in the observance of any simple
and inOfensiYe rites. L0i Mong Bang
was killed 10 a coal mine by the tall
ing of large lump Of coal. lie was a
CHINESE FREE MASON
in good standing, and as the "Masous"
are very claunish and f~ervent in their
mystic ties" they we're determined
to make this a swell affair."" The
coffin was placed on a stand in the
street, and two tables in a row On one
table was the roast pig and teacups full
ofwhisky. The other was laden with or
anges, bananas aud Other fruits and a
variety Of candy. Mats we're spread on
the ground for the mourners to kneel
on during prayers. On each side of
the coffin stood a standard bearer
holding a flag of triangular shape with
a black and rad triangular in the cen
ter, and by the side of the standard
bearers stood Masons holding parti
colored wands like exaggerated sticks
of peppermint candy, such as are often
used to decorate confectionery win
dows Christmas.
Incense sticks were burned, filling
the air with odor that was ''unpleas'
ant" to say the least. The
police formed a circle around
them TO keep off the usual Gu
rious crowd. The Masons conducted
the ceremony. | don't knew how it
appeared to the initiated" but |
could not see any resemblance to the
ceremonies performed by that order Of
Mclean men," They were clothed
in white tunics of coarse cloth and
bands of the same material around
their hats; tri colored badges around
their arms.
THE SERVICES
consisted Of prayers aad nominations.
The Masons knelt on the mats, recited
prayers, fourished joss-sticks and
poured a very little whisky on the
ground, then walked around the table
in tread-mill style. while the "Wor
shipful Master" chartered like a mag
pie. After fully an hour of such
exhausting labor. the coffin was placed
in the hearse and the procession
moved of, guarded on both sides by
police and the Sheriff, and headed by
a hack. in which was a Chinese band"
consisting of a big gong, triangle, flute
and tom-tom, which we're played Wig
orously. The musical effect" was
terrific and succeeded in setting some
horses wild with fright. A Chinami IN
was stationed on the hearse, who from
time to time threw out pieces of devil
money" a singular article Of the
heather to keep the "eyil spirit" of
until the dead are under the ground
and safely out OF his power.
AT TIE CEMETERY
the eatables were spread on the ground
and the mats we're again put down.
The body was lowered into the grave.
At the foot we're the burnin joss.
sticks and candles. Prayers were
made by men in long white robes aud
white turbans. Then all the China
men went through a form of kneeling
and bowling aud the women did con
siderable weeping and wailing. Pts
tolls we're fred off and fire crackers
we're plentiful. Small pieces OF candy
we're distributed and the distributor
gave to every recipient a nickel as a
token Of good luck" The flags and
banners we're buried 10 the grave.
Every Mason threw in a handful Of
dirt. The mats and regalia were
besped together at the foot and
burned. The rest of their traps they
picked up and returned to the city.
The c%onyeyaDces and expenses Of the
funeral must have cost the Cinnamon
several hundred dollars. Their
lodge" in Denver is said to be very
\ atronO EOOT. HTTIg