New-York tribune., 1891-12-27
All QUONG IN CAMP.
HOW HE LIVES. MINES COAL. AND DIES.

HOW HE LIVES. MINES COAL, AND DIES.
Rock Springs, wyo. Dec. lO.-Life is never dull
in a Western coalmning camp When everything
else fails there always remains the oppor unity oi
seeing how the garrulous foreign population uepor"
itself Something surprising Is always ABOUT u pdp
pen and one lives he verge OF the unexpected n
population comprising 500 Chinese miners ana TWO
companies of United states troops to quell the dis
,urtanceS between the Celestials and the mass OF
ignorant European immigrants forms variety cal
culaed to furnish plenty OF excitement, and 10 kock
Springs excitement Is the absorbing passion The
people thrive upon il chey have become ahdicted 10
IT, and consequently must have H. Riot' uSea % oe
common occurrences before the troops were stalohed
here but now the disturbances are less serious III
the last riot which occurred a few years ago. twenty
or more Nsre killed. and the Government had 10 pay
dearly to appease the anger OF China. There are
men In the mines to-day who delight TO tell their
narcIpation In the affair and according to their own
accounts they had no hesitation In using the Chnamen
As targets or chasing the wretches no the WOODS
where they left 10 wander about at theT ow"
sweet will until death from starvation put an emu ~
their misery. But such Occurrences are not cohnio
now The Chinese dspoed 10 be peafetui
and all would be serene II the rowing meddllns
whites were less obstreperous. The Heatheh 'nhee
NJ Rock springs is either a washse-washee or coal
miner His wages are lower and he does less work IN
day than rhe white but Chinese iaithfulcss s ho
10 be beaten. He manages TO get INTO tle 'hihes d.
carly as 3 O'Clock each morning ana WORKS uu''
In the afternoon lie works with painful slowness'
but is paid according to the amount OF coal mihed'
and earns more than enough for MS support,
Chinatown Is distinct quarter OIL the CAMP i.'
shantes-for the structures cannot be dgnired Win
the term cabin-sre small two room anairs, ana eaeh
Is infested by a gang Of from ten 10 hlteeh' ii'
mode of living Is by far the cheapest Tor 'he IN
divdual expense In way OF rent are thus rc'uoeu
10 a minimum dozen may sleep in one room, tho
beds being arranged in sometimes three or tour
deep Lack OF ventilation seems TO be no oblectoh'
rs fresh air /, not regarded essential IL Is
fortunate that the gangs designated by NUMBER
for the names all have striking similarity, ana seem
10 be either Sing. say, Fat or 0uons. AS limited
number of appellati0ns signifies large nuuloer oi
owners for each, Chnaman Is better known by 'hs
number Of his gang. Then, too, they all look alike
They have identical cues, dress alike, ana IN every
way present the same monotonous slihiiarS '""' 10
confusing to the ordinary white man.
An OuonC thinks he Is more advanced thah inc
average American. lie follows the stnctest reguii-
tions in his Of living ana eats drluhS anu
sIecps according to exact rule. He never takes MS
luncheon into the mines 1t is served freshly pre-
pared by the cook At noon, one may see the COOKS
approaching the mines, each with two large cas Vi
chow-c and several miners lamps eraeeiunS
balanced ON a pole carried the shoulder The
chow chow includes the luncheon Of rice, meat tias
was once fresh the chopscks, ana drhh Vi gin i'i
each man under the chefs lurlsdictlon' I"o ho"
pn nm tho most incessant chatterng when using tha
chopstcks regardless OF the danger OF accidehus 10
the trarhea The heather cling with persistent teiaey
TO their religious Observance Tmlrsday' ,he Nh'e''
sabbath and Sunday spent in smoking OPIUM ana
gambling Fan-tan. OF course, is the only popular
game and il is PLAYED with religious zeal that wouia
he cradtable TO any devotee A Chinaman hau re
Gently saved several hundred dollars for uip W
china lust as he was ready 10 start he was ehtIcsd
10 play farewell game and it is needless 10 add 'ha'
he tiIl works in the mines. Every evening aiVer ie
turning from work, the inmates oil the mouse ''t was
,at vacant shoot of bunch Of frecrackers TO drive
r,v any stray devil that may be lingering near
rh candle IN front OF the Joss is kept burning Tor
savor,l hours and tapers lighted and placed Iuse
outside the door 10 insure the occupants against III
fcrnsl intrusion. o,-.
The funerals are fantastcay cermonous AFFAIRS
Cbnamen have a great horror 0 illness lhe'
will never assist comrade injured IN tle MUS
nor administer 10 the wants OF the slcK
am, rear no circumstances will they touch the body OF
, denarted companlon. After the prehminaries OF
mineral which are arranged by white man. the ceie
monies really begin FrecraekerS, horns ana AL SORTS
of orchestral accompanmcnts 60 OH simultaneously inc
evil spirit keeps at respectable distance ana the sha
hoy collects ready t. assist in the obSeques. Inc
marching procession - ufdttt W oS"'N'i
whose grctesquely figured, triangular flag displays
binaton Of colors that for gayety aud variety of
bues rivals the aurora boreals. After prolonged incan
tations AT the grave the corpse is placed foot or so
underground and the mound surrounded by hnbrshds,
lest the evil spirit shou return and take possession OF
rho s,ul once a week meat aud fruit are placed on
the resting place OF the departed for such disposal as
the soul may deem fit 1t is disputed question whether
the soul ransmigates to the small boy who eats as
noSSibln and carries the remainder
avay n insure full supply next week. Once year
all graves are opened and the bones In each placed IN
a small oblong tin can. This work Is done by tho
ChInamen although they refuse to touch the body I'm
mediately after death. Probably the joss" grants
specIa forgiveness 70 those thus engaged Nter each
set of bones is placed In its box. the whole lot are
shipped to China and the soul ~ resny 10 occomo
absorbed in the divine essence
There Is one Chinese woman In camp she Is a YER
liable curiosity. she has succumbed to the refining
Influences Of Western civilization, and has taken bold
stand on the question: she eschews skirts
and Is ready TO vCtc. But her attention Is not wholly
,tven IN dress reform. she has furnishing poultry
farm and as her brothers fond Of fowl, Miss Sing
has a snug little income. There are many attractive
little Chinese shops where all Of fancy articles,
clothing rice and gin are sale opium Is handled
secretly. Cigars may be had but woe unto him who
slaughter house preferable 70 the fumes u Chinese
cigar. The gin is manufactured Of rice and Is likewise
peculiar In ts way -,---
few OF the Chinese have adopted the American
dress and have become nsturallzed but the majority
Intend l. return 10 Cnina aud retain their national
cues and beliefs. Under different surroundings they
might show stronger inclination 10 become natural.
zed but 10 be compelled 10 seek protection against
their inruding Whit neghbors BY the aid OF United
States troops is not exactly conducive 70 profound
| admiration for American citizenship. Measures have
J b aiken TO advance their morals by suppessing
"a ing and establishing schools. few have learned
10 wife their names, and nearly all are being renamed
| for convenience. 1t Is no trouble 70 find John
Brswn Charley Ross or Jshn h sullivan ip camp.