Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-02-22
BURYING A cHlHAMAa.
The First Complete Chinese Funeral In sa1
rancfsco---A Strange Procession.

EEAUti7CO~--fA AEOCCsot0Hs
The first genuine and complete
Chinese funeral in San Francisco took
place recently. 1t was that of Ow
Shing. late manager of the Wing Wo
Sang company, who was suffocated BY
the fumes of an open charcoal fire.
The funeral is thus described by the
San Francisco Chronicle:
The procession moved in the follow
ing order: First came Chinaman at
tired in a long flowing robe Of light
blue material, which was girded at the
waist with a strip Of white cotton
cloth, the Chinese emblem of mourn
ing. He was followed by two coolies,
each carrying large white lantern in
which was lighted taper. On each
Of these lanterns were Chinese charac-
ters in blue, setting forth the name Of
the deceased and his Office. These
lanterns were carried to light the path
the spirit of the deceased had to walk
in order to reach the gates Of heaven.
Then came two more coolies, each
carrying brass gong, which they beat
loudly and continuously to drive off any
evil spirit which might wish to cross
the path. In addition to the goDgs
these coolies each carried a square
flag Of yellow material. on which were
characters in black These told of
the unfortunate circumstances by
which the deceased met his
death. Next came four more coolies,
each carrying deep red paper banner,
on which were written in characters
of gold the virtues of the deceased,
and the good acts he performed in life.
Then followed carriage containing
four musicians, each playing upon
! wind instrument, which emitted dis
cordant, ear-piercing noises. which
were intended to assist the gong beat
ers in frightening away all great white
devils and small black devils. Next in
order came two Cinnamon, each
carrying a pole across one of his
shoulders, at each end Of which was
censor resting in natural flowers, some
Of which were twined around the
chains by which the censers were sus-
pended to the poles. In each censer
was quantity of perfumed punk and
sandalwood, which was ignited and
sent forth perfumed fumes along the
line of march. After these followed
another long-robed Chinaman, wearing
the emblem Of mourning and carrying
a very long, narrow red cloth banner
affixed to pole, at the head of which
was branch Of laurel This was
what is known as the ancestral banner,
and was the pedigree of the deceased
Then came the hearse, drawn by fur
horses, each dressed with black mourn
ing clothes. In the hearse was the coffin
containing the mortal remains of Ow
Shing. This was covered with large
red cloth as a symbol that the death
Of the. deceased was violent one. On
| the top Of the hearse sat Chinaman
in fun mourning, who distributed par
allelograms of Chinese paper five or
six inches long, each perforated sew
eral times. These sheets of paper are
what the Chinese call mock money,
and each perforation represented one
cash "a Chinese coin. This was de
signed to propitiate the spirits along
the road, which might be disposed to
make disturbances affecting the coffin
or its contents. BY the distribution Of
mock money the Chinese believe that
they purchase the right Of way for the
dead. Behind the hearse, on each
side of which marched pal-bearers in
mourning, were four professional
mourners attired from head to foot in
white. One Of these had his face
covered with white cloth and was led
along by two coolies, who carried be
fore them small tray, filled with food
and tea. After these followed num-
Der Of merchants on foot and car
riages containing friends Of the de-
ceased.