The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
CHINESE DEMONS ROUTED
MOY KEGS GUESTS ASSIST IN DRIv-
ING AWAY EVIL SPIRITS.
Leaders of Chinese Colony Entertain
Their Occidental Friends at a
Characteristic Banquet.

If there were evil spirits lowering In the
neighborhood of Moy KEGS restaurant on
East Washington street last night they
surely were frightened away when the
$4,000 firecrackers deafened the neighbor-
hood. Moy Kee and his wife, with the
assistance of many friends, succeeded in
burning up many boxes of fireworks. A. A.
Young, collector of customs for the port
of Indianapolis, was present to collect
duty on Chinese demons attempting to
cross without paying duty. Judge Allen,
of the Circuit Court, was present and
held Roman candles in the air while col
ored fireballs shot from the end of the
long paper sticks. Superintendent Taffe
helped keep away bad spirits by lighting
the first long string of firecrackers.
The occasion the banquet given
by Moy Kee and his wife to a number of
prominent people of the city in celebration
of the Chinese New Year. Although he be-
gan the celebration Thursday, he de-
ferred the real good time for his Occidental
friends until last night at o'clock. At
that time the place was beautifully decor
ated, red predominating. Mrs. Moy Kee
walked up and down the long room clad
in gorgeous Chinese silks and beaded head
gear and assisted in receiving the invited
guests. Moy was respondent in his pea
cock feather hat, large silk blouse and
new felt shoes.
MRS. MOY KEE RECEIVED.
The visitors were quickly shown to places
at the tables by Mr.. and Mrs. Moy Kee.
The greetings of the New Year were given
and Mrs. Moy Kee accepted them graceful
ly, bowling and fiuttering her little yellow
fan. Judge Allen and his family were
last in arriving and when they were seated
at the first table Moy gave orders to his
Chinese servants to prepare for the feast
No one present knew what was coming.
1t was voted that Judge Allen act as
POSTMASTER. He declined. saying that he
did not understand the Chinese language,
In favor OF A. A. Young, who, because he
was seated in the north room, said he was
afraid he could not make himself heard.
Superintendent Taffe was next appealed to
would have TO be given to the bad boys
who were at that time trying to apparent
ly break down the front doors.
Dong Gum Hong led the walters in with
the first dish and Moy, trying to express its
meaning TO the guests, gave an unpro-
nounceable name. which was accepted as all
right, even If they were not sure of it,
1t was kind of soup which contained
many kinds of meats and vegetables When
all had partaken of ii they congratulated
Moy on his cooking. Moy by this time no.
ticed that his visitors were not inclined to
taste his wines and he insisted on many
cups of the haki-saki being drunk This
was followed by cups of Rosebud" wine
which had a taste like wood alcohol
The wines had their effect and the con-
versation waxed apace. Some of the dishes
served were merely tasted and then pushed
back by the guest, who would invariably
| ask what it was. Moy and his wife were
kept busy running from table to table ex-
planning the dishes. The dish that met
with most favor was the roast turkey
with dressing and mashed potatoes.
EVIL SPIRITS ROUTED.
The supper lasted for several hours, and
| then Moy again assured his guests that
each would have to assist in driving away
| the evil spirits. Men and women were
| taken into the north room, where their
| arms were filled with different kinds of fire
| works. In front of the store Moy had ar
| ranged long pole set in a barrel To this
pole he tied punches of firecrackers In
| each bunch there were 10000 firecrackers
| Superintendent Taffe was chosen by Moy
| to light the first bunch. Each firecracker
| had in IL the volume of noise usually found
| in an American-made cannon cracker AS
| the fire crept up the bunch the most deaf
| ening noises rent the air, eliminating in
| giant explosion of an octagonal box at the
| top containing various kinds of figures.
While the frecrackers were exploding
each guest was engaged in working his
| arms trying to explode the Roman candles.
| In the middle of the street Mr. Young was
! toiling over a dozen cannon crackers in his
efforts to light them. Judge Allen had
| grave fears for Mr.. Young's safety as he
stopped over the pile of explosives, and
/ several times the judge shot Roman
| candle at him to keep him away from
harm.
When the din finally ceased. about an
| hour later, Moy Kee and his wife stood in
the doorway of their place and smiled
blandly on the group outside. Moy Kee. in
his broken English. said he was sure no
| evil spirits would trouble him for the next
| year. He said that since the celebration
| no one had talked of death sickness,
/ and from the amount of health foods he
| had eaten he WIS sure of living through
| the next year in comfort
| At Quong Lees store on North Delaware
| street firecrackers were shot off in large
| numbers. Quong was assisted by number
| of his countrymen, who, while the crackers
1 were exploding, raised their voices in in
| vocation 10 Confucius.