Omaha daily bee., 1885-09-16
A horrible Chapter Of Chinese Filth

n aNrrID Die Cnapter Or OnineSe EIIth
SAN Francisco, Sept. l5.-A horrible dis
covery was made in Chinatown to-day. In
formation was given the city coroner that
fightful strt nch was being emitted from
cellar on Pacific street. He went, forced hil
way in and found the floor covered witt
human skulls and bones partially covered
with fasb, in the last stage of greea putrifac-
tion. Among the deceased mess worms were
crawling, while ths floor was wet and Shiny
with liquid exuding from the remains. Ia Oh
inner room the coroner found number OF
Chinese engaged in boiling down the remains
of the bodies, while oFher Chinese wsre en-
gagged in scraping the boiled bones and pack
ing them in boxes for shipment to China II
is estimated the CELLAR contained over three
hundred dead bodies which have been taken
secretly from various cemeteries throughout
the state. As an instance Of Chinese in.
genuity it In said that those in charge of the
operations, fearing the stencil from the boil
ing pot would be 30 great as to attract atten
ton outside, procured two living sknnks so
that the odor of the latter might overcome the
former. The coroner conhscated all the re-
mains. :,
The discovery this afternoon of the horrible
Wholesale practices ct Chinese committed ur-
der the very nose Of the city authorities has
created deep and lnten.e ex.itsment. The
knowledge that such u mass of putrifaction
was lying exposed in the very heart of the
city, while az the same tims the drainage and
sewers in the citv are known to be in an un.
wholesome and filthy state, created feeling
of fear for the health of the city.
After all the boxes containing the remains
of the dead Cinnamon had been removed to
the morgue the city coroner was interviewed
In regard to tie matter, and stated that when
he arrived in the cellar In which the boxes
were stored and the purified remains which
had still to be boiled were lying, he set to
work with hatchet to break open the boxes.
There were some sixty bodies in all. Each
Of them Contained q tin case, in
which were carefully rolled up In oiled cloths
o number OF human bones. The smaller bones
and long strips OF skin were wrapped up In
separate parcels aud placed within larger
one. On the outside Of tbs box was label In
Chinese characters indicating the name of the
person while living, 30 the remains c uld be
claimed by the relatives on arrival Ia China.
After having opened several cases. the cor
oner conclut led to seiza the whole lot and re-
were called, and while the cases were being
placed In wagons some boxes rolled off to the
pavement, breaking and leaving the bones ex-
posed to view. The crowd who'll had assembled,
having learned the cause of the excitement,
jumped in the bones. and in their Indignation
Jrod them under foot. Police officers quickly
interposed. Loading without further inter-
ruptiop, the remains were removed to the
morgus. Most of the boxes containing the
remains We're on examination found to havs
come from cities In the interior of the state.
The remains were shipped from there to San
Francisco 10 common tea boxes. Those that
come from the interior are boiled and prepared
before shipment, 30 that no odor is perceptible
on the route. OnIy thoss removed from San
Francisco cemeteries had hs still on them
when brought to the preparation cellar. 1t
was the intention TO have shipped all on the
steamer City of Pekin, which sails Saturday
next. 1t is rumored that the Chinese Six com.
psnies will brlpg an action against the coroner
for removal of the boxes and remains.