The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-29
CHINESE FREE MAsONs MEET.
Fourteen of Them Ride the Goat mt
the First Convention.

Correspondence Chicago Times Herald.
one of the most unique gatherings ever
held in Wisconsin was the annual gather
ing of the Chinese Free Masons of the
state, and was really the first convention
held, as never before has the lodge been
fully organized and a charter received.
The most conspicuous figure among the
Celestials was Gong Hoar of Baltimore,
grand master of the Chinese Free Masons
of America. Gong Hoar is an unusual
type of Chinaman. He stands over six
feet in hight, dresses in the latest Ameri-
can fashion and is minus his queue, thus
precluding his return to the land of the
rising sun. He is well educated, speaks
the English language fairly well and talks
in an entertaining manner.
The Cinnamon who came to attend the
convention began arriving the morning be-
fore and over fifty Acknowledged delegates
were on hand. They were of all ages, from
old men down to mere boys, and as a rule
they were well dressed. With three excep-
tons all were arrayed in American gar
ments Their shirts and collars and cuffs
were polished so that they fairly shone.
Some of them wore their queues done up
on the back of their heads, while three
or four who possessed extra long ones
let them hang. One had a queue that
brushed the floor.
One of the leading delegations hailed
from Oshkosh, and included four-piece
Chinese band. For an hour or more this
band gave a concert, and, while it served
to amuse a crowd of small boys, the music
or, rather noise, was something terrible
Later an orchestra made an attempt at a
programme, and proved an improvement
over the band. During this time the Chin
amen sat in the different rooms of Sam
Wah KEGS laundry, smoking and drinking
tea. nun Der of spectators tested the
latter and ii was said to be very strong
and of very good quality. Ii was kept
in an ordinary teapot and served In cups
of the very finest china.
AT 4 o'clock Sam Wan Kee, as the lead
ing local celestial and as the head of the
Masonic order in Wisconsin, rendered the
visitors a banquet II was undoubtedly
the grandest Chinese spread ever given
in the state. Sam spared neither time nor
expense in getting it up, and everything
was served i'm true Chinese fashion. A
couple of newspaper men, who had pre-
vailed upon Sam TO extend them invita-
tons, received their fill of experience, but
little of a more substantial nature owing
to their ability to handle the Chinese chou
sticks to good advantage.
At s o'clock that evening they adjourned
10 a vacant store building and the work
of the Masonic lodge was taken up and
continued until o'clock in the morning.
Gong Hoar. as American grand master,
made a lengthy address, telling of the ma
ture of the order, and urging that il be
upheld and strengthened as far as posi-
BILE. A great deal of time was spent in
instructing the members in the work
Fourteen new members were initiated, and
a lodge of fiftY-five members organized.
Sam Wah Kee of Appleton, Wis, was
made master of the state lodge, and the
next convention will probably be held at
Stevens Point
The Cinnamon allege that their organi-
cation while not recognized by the Eng
fish Masons, has a history of centuries,
reaching as far back, at least, as the Eng
fish order has authentic history. 1t is said
that il the Masons' claim is true that
their order originated IN the days Of King
Solomon there has been plenty OF time
for offshoots to be thoroughly established
In such places as the depths Of China and
the wilds of Africa, where explorers have
found societies which bear a marked re-
semblance to the Freemasonry of to-day.
The Chinese order is MOI affiliated with or
recognized by the white-skinned Masons,
though the ban of slave birth which hurt
the negro does not have any effect In the
case Of the yellow-skinned awearers Of the
badge Of the compass and square.