The herald., 1895-08-25
THE BONES OF CHINAMEN
Old Graves Opened and Their Contents
Removed
To Be TAKEN from the City Cemetery to Their
Nativ, Land, There to Receive De-
cent Burial

The Chinese have recently been engaged
in disinterring the bodies of their de-
ceased countrymen, who we're buried in
the old city cemetery on Hill street. The
graves of the departed ceiestials were loca-
ted in one corner of the burying grounds,
apart from the rest of the tom bs. There
were twenty in all, ana they have most Of
them been resting there since early days
OF the sos. No records have been kept
by the authorities. and the present SEX
ton, having come into office since their
internent, knows nothing of them except
in general way. Ths chinese them
selves seemed to have pretty good idea
CT the business, so they began about "a
week ago to remove the bones of their
departed ones and ship them back to
their native land.
Tbs old graves were opened one by one
and their curious contents revealed to the
many visitors who daily frequented the
place to watch the operations. Many of
the graves were very shallow. not being
more three ana half feet deep. The
collins were all mora or less destroyed
from lack of protection by being enclosed
in an outside WOODEN box, as is the case
IN other graves. In several places the
graves OF unknown men Of another race
were opened the mistake being disclosed
when the coffin was opened and the abb
sence OF queue noted. In such cases the
lid OF the coffin was replaced and the
| earth thrown back in its place.
When genuine China grave vas found
it was easily recognized by the narrow
ness OF the coffin. These were made ap-
parently of common wood and in very
plain fashion. No ornaments were placed
on the outside except the handles.
Inside, however, they were different.
There were the decayed remnants OF
silken robes and few oriental trinkets of
brass or silver. In the mouth of the par
son was found number of coins, gold or
silver OF bronze, according to the rank of
the deceased. 1t is the custom in China
to place collection of jewels and coins
the event that the dead one is plebeian
only. :, coin of silver or bronze is fed to
his departed spirit.
In removing the bones great care was
taken to keep each individual collection
separate. The skeletons were not in
very good state of preservation, some of
them having been in the ground since
men killed in riot between set OF
roughs and the Inhabitants of Chinatown.
The removal of the bones of the dead
heathens from their present resting place
is made IN accordance with an ancient
religious custom which forbids that the
remains of dead celestial shall remain
in any other place than his native land.
Although a mans troubles are supposed
TO end when he departs this life. it is
otherwise with the Chinese. The most
elaborate ceremonies always follow the
death of native OF the Flowery king
dom, often lasting for a period Of years
and entailing the expense of vast sums Of
money.
The bones now being prepared for ship
ment, notwithstanding that they have
been in the ground for wears, are not
considered to have been buried, but will
have to go through an expensive cere-
monial when they reach their native SOIL
the assurance Of eternal rest in the great
hayond