St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-25
THE HEATHER DEAD.

Onearfhin1 shipment for China-Ah
Sans R-surrecIf0n Contract.
There may be something rational in the
desire of the Chinese to have their bones
molder into dust 10 the soil Of China, but
there is nothing human about the manner 10
which these bones are dug out Of the sand 10
the city cemetery. There are just now being
exhumed the bones OF several hundred Mon
golians 10 be sent back to the Celestial king
dom, In accordance with the so.emn cove
nant made by the various Chinese companies
with each of their members. From Nov. Il
until yesterday there have been resurrected
at the city cemetery about $50 collins, with
their decaying contents, and this number
will probably see a large increase before the
year expires. The cause of this wholesale ex-
humation Of bones Is said to be cor nected
with c. c. O'DOnnell's election as coroner. II
seems that his anii-Chinese decentralization
hss had some influence npon the living Cni-
Lese, that in particular they are afraid be will
carry out bis threat Of preventing the trans
fer of human bones 10 the land of their birth.
and that for this reason they were undolng
the undertaker's work as fast as possible be-
fore the doughty 0'Donuel assumes charge
Of the mOrgue department Of the munich
pality. Others, however, deny that appre-
hensiou Of that kind has anything TO do with
the matter, but say that a combinatio of cir
cumstsnces has brought about the transplant
tatiOn movement. These circumstances are.
first, that November and December are
lucky" months; second, that a large num-
Der OF the dead are "ripe," having been In
the ground for two years or more; third, that
the finances Of several Chinese companies
are in nOurishing condition; fourth, that
freight TO China is low, and. fifth, that human
bones have not been, aud are not likely 10
be. declared contrabaud Of war by the French.
But whatever may be the cause, the fact Is
that one SAM" northumberland Chi
nese, has taken a contract 10 resurrect sew
erai hundred Of bis deceased countrymen.
aud that be is now at work carrying out his
contract. He has pitched tent In the plot
of the FOok Yam Tong company, and every
morning al o'eloek he begins blowing a
Chinese Imitation OF Gabriel's trumpet, with
TIE result that towards evening several wagon
loads of bones, and sometimes more than
bones, come rolling into town. Yesterday
All Sam was digging up the woneuis cur
ner In the plot Five living Chinese women
were ready to welcome the planted ones back
10 light and whenever a cover would be-
Knocked of the decaying collins these crle s.
tial beauties would eagerly bend over the
contents, without regard 20 the direction OF
the wind, and begin 4 search for the Jewels
and money OF the late lamented. Generally
The bodies proved 70 De swzthed In so mucb
cloth and hlanketing that poking with q stick
would not reveal the treasures, and In
such cases the MongoI dame would
daiutily deposit their cigarette upon the
collins edge and dive into the horrible
mass with their fingers. The first article
looked for generally was the coin which Is
placed in every Chinaman's mouth that be
may get TO heavens gate with sufficient toll
10 purchase admission. To search for this
in the depth Of gnDning skull aud to fiud
IL was pronounced as good luck bv these
danes, who were said to be respectable mar
ried women, as otherwise they would not be
permitted 10 enter the burr Il plot set apart
Tor the lords OF creation. Tue money found.
the earrings were the next prize, aud II by
chance little bit Of cartilage adhered TO
the bit Of silver aud jasper the living hands
would pluck it away as II IL was = sweet
m0rsal OF prime roast pork Then the las
per bracelets would be disengaged from the
bones of the hand and forearm, and this
done, the professional bone-picker would De-
gin bis WORK. These bOne-pickers plainly
were not men Of sentiment They went 10
work 10 matter-of-faet way; smoking cigars
furnished by the friends OF the deceased.
Their hands were their tools, 40 matter how
repulsiye-looSing were the contents Of
cOfin.
Beginning at the feet, these men pick out
OF the coffin every bit and silver OF bone,
carefully MASKING any soft substance be-
tween their hngers 10 make sure that not
even trace Of bouy structure remains In the
land OF the white devils. The bones are
tien cleaned after fashion. and n Il is
found that even Joint OF the small toe Is
missing, the grave, the coffin and the ground
are thoroughly searched. When all the
bones have been found they are wrapped in
pieces OF muslin, each part OF the body by it.
self, aud then the whole Is placed in a little
zinc-liped box. which Is ostenslbIy the pack
age which goes to China. II Is only ostensi-
bly, so, because the law compels the Chinese
10 solder np.their cases before they leave the
cemetery, but when these same cases reach
Chin aiown IL is said they are unpacked into
large boxes and then shipped to China snd
freight paid on these By measurement Quite
often these zinc boxes, which are supposed to
have been sent to Chinz, return to the Gene
terry for another 10 voice OF bones. a proceed
ing which is not encouraged by the superin-
teDdent
Our sutocratic statutes declare that two
xAs-s suffice 70 reduce Chinese corpse 10