Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1885-03-20
A GOD DETHRONED.
OG'living His Usefulness a Chi
nese Joss Is Deposed.
The High Priest Hits Him with a Club ana
Knocks "isIm Into the Fire"-A
Summary Method of DIspos-
ing of n Useless Deity.
IS. 7. Cor. Palla dolphin pre.s.l

Is y. Cor. Psila tclphin Press.
IL Is a well known fact that among those
who are acquainted with tie character OF
the Chinese that n Monaghan is Of u very
treaeherous nature and on all occasions
will bear watching. THIS treachsry is not
only noticeable among the poorer classes
of the RAGS, hut it extends into the circle
OF their priests AID oftentimes marks their
most solemn relig ious festivals.
A case OF this character took place in
Chinatown, San Francisco, a few nights
since, whea one OF the Chinese societies
lured one Of their many gods to the fatal
board, and there destroyed him Ia a most
iSnOininious manner.
IL appears that one Of the spirits in the
Joss House had been n source of great an
noyance for year past, and he was con-
tinually bringing the members OF the So
ciciy into trouble, 50 IL was resolved that
he should be summarily destroyed. Oi
course the immolation OF the evil one was
hazardous undertaking and could only
be successfully carried out by treachery
and strategy combined. Preparations foi
destroying him had been going ON for tw,
days previous 70 the very night tho evi
spirit was doomed u meet his destruction
nc LII y AH N4lt must hAsI91 lHt
carrying out OF the treacherous work. A
chilly fog had rolled in from the ocean.
aud the wind sighed mournfully around
the roOkCries in the Chinese quarter. The
light Of the moon was obscured by the
heavy fog. and all without was bleak and
dreary. About eight O'Clock the member
OF the society formed in procession head.
Ell by the priests and marched out from tn,
temple. A hideous innge representing the
evil spirit was horne in the procession IN
attendants, and by taoir side was a mum.
Ler OF Mongols carrying L-azicrs Of l. hted
coal. The musicians, mock mardarins ane
Lantern hearers followed in the rear Of the
image and rendered their selections with
telling effect ON the nerves of the few
white people who were in attendance
notwithstanding the incleinency Of tn,
night
The procession marched through the al.
leys and by-ways in Chinatown, and ai
various points along the route punks an6
candies were lighted and placed by ths
sidewalk, and mock money was consumed
In tho braziers.
While tho services were being carried on
In the temple the Image was left in a hall.
way sitting on throne. His right hand
was uplifted, signifying that he would
strike down the members of the society
who were planning his death, were it not
for the Intervention Of the Great Joss. a
dozen circular paper frames, in which were
placed lighted tapers, were standing IL
front Of the doomed image, showing the
twelve lesser spirits who were powerless t<
help them, inasmuch as he was powerleSs
TO help himself, and on table about hall
dozen feet away from the evil one was ar
assortment Of nuts, candies ard confcc.
tionery and piece of pastry consisting OF
three hands extending FROM one wrist
The hands represented the benign power
by which the god people were protected
from the vengeance of the evil spirit, who.
by this time, was supposed to be chatting al
his power of rtvenging himself having
been taken away from him. An attempt
10 conciliate him was made by placing
bounteous repast OF the choice morsels il
front of him, and when the high priest anc
his assistants had concluded their services
before the Great Joss, they gave tho evi
spirit their attention.
The image was carried out on his thrun,
ard placed al tue head Of the banquet
table The banquet was commenced, anc
"Afu ~ WhS NJ NV nelGnV, one OF the prleSN
ignited a bonfire, and in q few minutes tn.
street was in "A tlgze for a distance of about
thirty feet. Wien the fre was at it,
height the high Priest cautiously emerged
from the temple, and crept up behind tnt
uns1specting guest, who had been lured K
the banquet table 70 lie assassinated.
The priest drew a club from under tn,
folds Of his garb, and held it aloft in the
air awaiting the signal to destroy tn,
spirit. The priests were all cycling theii
bowls, when a clang on the gongs an.
nounced that the opportune moment had
arrived. The high priest struck the image
with the club and knocked it into the fire.
and in n moment il was in blaze. His
throne then followed him and il was de-
Stroyed. Then the high priest sprinkled
water on the ashes, and musicians burst
forth in an eGr-piercing strain ard the
priests cried forth in tones Of joy. Thus Il
WAS that the evil one was treated. The
priests returned 10 the temple and informed
the Great Joss o. the success of the scheme.
and thanked him for having prevented the
evil one from being able to protect himself
agains; their wiles. The Celestial specA-
tors took their departure for their dens and
In short time were unconscious from
opium smoking.