The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-03
GUAM cHuNG,s FUNERAL.
How HIS HeadbOard Was Erected
Over His Feet.
From the Arizona Republican.

From the Arizona Republican.
Guam Chung is dead and buried. He died
at Maricopa a few days ago and was
brought TO Phoenix the next day and pre-
pared for interment by an undertaken He
had been employed by p, NJ Williams for
some time, and was only sick a day or
two before his death, according to infor-
nation furnished by his countrymen. His
funeral occurred yesterday under the au-
spices of the Chinese Masonic lodge, an
1t was an ostentatious event. Guam was
about forty years old, and had spent
about half his life in Arizona. lie was
therefore well known and popular among
his countrymen, and they did their best
to show for him proper respect i'm the ar
rangement of the funeral services
The funeral took place early in the at
ternoon, and after the rtuahstic cere-
monies in Chinatown the big procession
wendell its way to the cemetery, preced-
ell by the Chinese band with beating
drums and various other kinds of So
called music. The Cinnamon followed be-
hind in their usual way. some on foot and
some in carriages and other vehicles
Most of them had cigars, for of all
places for a Chinaman to lay aside his
long handled pipe and indulge in the
white mans cigar, the funeral is cousid-
cred the most appropriate. Besides, a
Chmaman is, above all things else, prac-
tical. The proper place to enjoy smoke
Is when buggy riding, and Chinaman
seldom goes buggy riding, except at a
funeral. Then, too, he realizes that his
friend could be no more dead, even if he
did make the occasion an outing event,
and his chances in the future life are by
mo means improved by the long faes ana
solemn looks of the mourners. Hence the
~ = FSNan
vinegary countenance, but goes to work
practically to give the best that can be
afforded. and leaves with the dead prac-
TALLY everything he had in this world
and as choice a lot of food as can be
scraped up for his spirit journey.
In due time the procession which was
greatly augmented by curious Americans.
reached the cemetery, and the final ere
monies were performed. The casket was
lowered and little dirt was thrown in,
when the high priest stopped the proceed
1ngs for another blessing. More dirt wa :
thrown in and the proceedings were again
stopped and big can of well cooked
food was deposited in the grave. 1t came
to be a question among the curious as
to whether the high priest or the under
taker was the master of ceremonies, but
the latter allowed the Celestial to have
his way Finally the grave was nearly
flied and the undertaken took the head
board and placed it in position The
Chihaman, stopped him and insisted that
the headboard be placed at the other end
of the grave
But, said the undertaken. this is his
head ~"
"oh. heliee," said the Chinaman, "you
put EN- in wrong end to-"
"All right" said the undertaken, "Tr
take him up and put him in the other
way"
mo" said the high priest, too late
now; think make EN- no difference. put
EN- mark here" indicating that the head
board should go at the foot, so the criti-
cal Chinese visitor would never know but
that the deceased had been properly laid
away, and it was so done.