Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-03
THE HEATREy DEAD.
Unearthing a Shipment for China-Ah
SANS Resurrection Contract.

From the San Francisco Chronicle
There may be something rational in the desire
of the Chinese to have their bones moulder into
dust in the soil # China, but there is nothing
human about the manner In which these bones
are dug out of the sand in the City cemetery.
There are Just now being exhumed the bones OF
several hundred Mongolians to be sent back 10
the Celestial kingdom, in accordance with the
solemn covenant made by the various Chinese
companies with each OF their members.
From November II until yesterday there have
been resurrected ut the City cemetery about $50
collins. with their decaying contents, and this
number will probably see large increase before
the year expires. The cause of this wholesale
examination of bones is sad to be connected
with c. C. O'DonnelI's election as coroner. II
seems that ODennells autj-ChineSe denuncia-
ton has had some influence upon the living
Chinese. that in particular they are afraid that
he Will carry out his threat of preventing tie
transfer of human bones TO the land of Their
birth, aud that Tor this reason they are undoing
the undertakers' work as fast as possible before
the doughty - Donneii assumes charge OF the
mor2ue department OF the municipality. Others,
however. deny that apprehension of that Kind
has anything TO do with the matter. but say that
q combination of circumstances has brought
about the transportation movement
These circumstances are. fir>t. that November
and December are "lucby" months; second that
a large number 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 a Furnishing condition; fourth. that
freight to China is low; and fifth, that human
bones have not been. and are not likely to be-
declared coptrahand of war by the French. But
| whatever NAV be the cause. the fact is that An
Sam, a seui-AmericaniZed Chinese. has taken a
contract to resurrect several hundred of his de-
! ceased countrymen. and that he is now at work
! carrying out his contract. He has pitched tent
/ in the plot of the Fo0k Yam Tong company and
| every morning at O'Clock he begins blowing a
/ Chinese imitation of GahreIS trumpet, with the
result that toward evening several wagon loads
| of bones. and sometimes more than bones, come
| rolling into town.
Yesterday All Samwas digging 1.-THE woman's
| corner in the plot. Five living Chinese women
| were ready 10 welcome the planted ones back
/ to light. and wheneyera yerwould be knocked
| off the decaying collins these Celestial beauties
! would eagerly bend over the contents. without
! regard to the direction of the wind and begin a
| search for the jewels and money of the late la
mented. The first article looked for was gem
| orally the coin which is placed in every China
mans mouth that he may 90 to heavens
gate with sufficient toll to purchase admission.
Inc earrings were the next prize Then the
jasper bracelets would be disengaged from the
/ bones of the hand and forearm. and this done
/ the professional bone picker would begin his
/ work.
Beginning at the feet. these men pick out OF
/ the coffin every bit and silver of bone care
/ fully MASKING any soft substance between their
| myers to make sure that not even trace of
/ bony structure remains in the land of the white
devils. The bones are then cleaned after
| fashion, and il it is found that even Joint OF
/ the small toe is missing. the grave. the coffin
| aud 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
itself, and then the whole is placed in a little
Znc-lined box. which is ostensbly the package
which goes to China.