The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-03-27
CHINESE FUNERAL
AT THE CAPITAL
Song, SupplicatiOn and Agony
Alice Samee.
Elaborate Feast Spread to De-
light the Epicures of 4
China Heaven.

the death OF Celestial is announced,
the ultimate disposition Of the remains
is always ex pectautly awaited by Curl
Gus throng Such a funeral WAS con
Quoted in Salem, Tuesday after
noon. and the fact serves as an explana-
ton for the large assemblage that con
eregated at Rigdon & Clough's sundertak
ius parlors at the hour appointed for
the services
When the body was prepared for
burial, 10 cent piece was placed in the
mouth of the corpse add numerous slips
Of paper covered with Chinese inscrip-
tions were deposited in the casket. The
tickets are considered necessary to se-
cure the safe passage of the departed TO
all passports and the coin is required to
gain admission to his future abiding
place. The size of the coin would prob
ably entitle him to a seat in "nigger
heaven"
The exercises we're conducted in the
native tongue throughout, and those not
versed in the Cantonese dialect did not
get the latest details on a Chinese fun
eral. Song and supplication were not
distlnguishable, while the demonstra-
tions to Danish the evil one were ade-
uuate to accomplish the purpose. But
the reporter was impressed with the
fact that the Chinese funeral does not
differ from that conducted by more
enlightened people, iD that the elabo
rateness of the obsequies is governed
largely by the life, the general character
and reputation OF the deceased and his
relations, socially and financially, to the
community. The heather Chinee are
Americanized in that sense.
The object Of Tuesdays demonstra-
ton in local Celestial circles was Lee
Seng. who was divorced from his chop
sticks on the previous morning The re-
mains had been deposited in a simple
casket, provided by friends of the de-
ceased The casket was placed in the
undertaking parlors on Court street
where the services were conducted at 3
o'clock. There were but dozen china
men in attendance. Before the casket,
and spread upon the floor, was feast
hat would serve the appetite Of real
i've chinaman for week. The bill Of
air included roast chicken, several
xnds Of meat, three bowls of rice with
.s many cups of China gin, half doz-
IN buns, the same number Of applee,
package OF cigarettes, sweet meats etc,
md all OF the articles Of diet were in
evidence.
Tee Fong, cousin Of the dead man,
vas master of ceremonies. When every
hing was in readiness, he kneeled upon
he floor and after articulating for a
eW seconds, performed number of
evolutions and arose He
vas followed by four almond-eyed
nourners who immersed the victuals
With small cups Of gin. The chief Of
ceremonies then exhibited his vocal
alent in song that is said to have had ,
Or its purpose the driving away his
atanic Majesty aud those who were
rithin range OF the unframed voice ex-
ressed their firm belief that the effort
roved effectual. The chief performer q
poke for a period and concluded by
lessing the food aud spriJkling more
in over the dishes. This concluded the 9
ervices and the coffin was closed and {
laced in the heaTse. More punk was I
during the ceremonies than
alem's juvenile population will require
1 the next hall dozen independence
Jay celebrations. r.
The Chinese are extremely supsrsti-
ous, being fearful Of the devil par
cularly when one OF their mum.
or dies. From the undertaking
arlors to the cemetery, the master ;
cermonies, who occupied
,at on the hearse, distributed thous- g
nds OF slips Of perforated paper, the !
Iongolians believing that his SatanicI =
Iaiesty will be obliged to pass through a
very opening in each slip OF paper be-
re he can find the spirit OF the de-
arted. Judging from the amount OF
aper that was placed in circulation
the inference may be taken
rat Lee Seung's slumbers will not 90
sturbed on this account for some time.
{ the cemetery the exercises we're not
imposing The food was placed at
le head Of the grave, the casket was
Hered aud while the earth Was being
,plaeed, bon fire was made Of ali the ,
srsonal effects OF the dCseasad. "a re
lnk was buru |, the 70 4 was again
Isssed and the luReral party diebande'l.
A SQUAD OF str Il Arabs Who had last ,
/ for a week in ANTICIPATION of chicken
inner were sOrely disappointed for the
.xton denic them the right 10 partake
the feast. Several women from the
ty, who could not refrain from ad-
ing 30 their curio collection. appropTia-
"a the various articles Of chinaware
tie food
The Chine, will have nothing 10 doi
ith their dead. They will scarcely
andle the personal effects OF a Zee sased
,llow-man and positively decline TO
srve as pail bearers or even touch the
asket containing the remains. When
body has been buried a given time,
be remains are exhumed and the bones
repaired and sent n China. There are
bout a dozen chinamen buried in the
ection allotted 10 that nationality in the
. o. o. + cemetery.
uo,-s. ,rt.t.a