Daily Republican., 1889-08-05
The Festival of Departed Souls.

| Apous clOck yesterday Afternoon
two coaches drove up to Lee Bing's laun
uiy, az NO. 6l2 Orange street, and few
minutes later ten Cinnamon, each dressed
in blue and carrying parcel In his hand
emerged from the laundry and were sooI
g, ated. five In each coach. They were
taken to the Wilmington and Brandywint
cemetery, where they formed procession
and marched TO the grave of Sam Lee, in
Tie southwest corner of the grounds.
| Upon reaching the grave they kneeled
down. and for i've minutes sang a wierd
chant. They then arose, and each opened
his parcel and laid the contents on the
grave.
| A large roasted duck was placed at the
mead, bag con ontaining quart of peaches
IN the centre, while other fruit and
flowers were spread In different places.
Each oil the men then made q short
epeech, after which four candles, made
oi RED wax, with sharp points aud orna-
nented with gold paper, were driven in
the ground at the loot OF the grave and
lighted, All present then began to laugh
aud talk, and shortly afterwards the
candles were extinguished and q bonfire
started on the path near the foot of the
grave Bundles OF paper, supposed to
oe Cninese prayers, were distributed
among the participants, which were
placed upon the fire that burned for
nearly an hour.
Cigarettes were also put in the FIRE.
and some were smoked by the CelestiaIs.
VINO seemed to take great pleasure In the
ceremonies. Finally large red sash
was fastened around the h. adstone and
allowed to remain there. The duck and
i.uit were removed from the grave and
again wrapped up, alter which the cele-
ofants iell on their knees, and upon ris-
ing returned to their carriages. They
were driven to Lee Blng's, where all the
eatabl.s which had been used on the
grave were destroyed, for fear that Sam
Lees spirit would come in search of
them.
The party then removed their blue
robes and INDUCED IN general jollifica-
tion, which was continued until late
hour last night.
Sam Lee kept the first Chinese laundry
In this city, and was located on Fifth
street, near King, where he did thriving
business. He was taken sick with pneu-
monia, and died about seven years ago,
when his remains were taken In charge
By the Celestials from Philadelphia, As
sam mad become somewhat tAmericanized
and dispensed with his cue, these men re-
fused to look upon his body after his
oAs "hSh tbC SoDiu WAS CLOSED
aud carried into the street they threw
number OF small coin on II to furnish
him with sufficient means to pay his en-
trance fee at the gates of Paradise. When
the coffin was placed In the hearse there
we're several articles thrown 10 with 1t,
which were afterwards placed In his
grave.
There were no carriages, and no one,
except the driver of tho hearse, accom-. |
panied the remains to their last resting |
place. AS soon us 1t had turned IN |
Market street the two Cclestials returned |
to the house, and packed up everything
they could find belonging to Sam, which
they carefully nailed up in boxes. They
then took come red paint and obliterated
his name ON each OF his signs to prevent
bis spirit finding the place again. When
this was done they gathered up every
thing and departed for Philadelphia.
Among Sans Effects was an ugly little
idol, which it was said he worshipped
every day.
Yesterday wns what is known as the |
festival of Hong ling or departed ssuls,
and Is observed on the first Sunday OF |
April and August, at 2 p. M, every year.
1t is held In great veneration by tire Chi
nese in all parts of the world, n, they
believe that the spirits of their departed
friends then return, and partake OF the
Iood placed on their graves.