Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-05-03

Dragon the Cause of Combat.
Although the earthquake that re-
Gently devastated San Francisco was
the worst that ever occurred on the
Pacific coast, the city has been visited
by seismic shocks several times. says
the Chicago Tribune IN the shock
that took place in June, 1898, the city
was thrown into state of panic by a
series of upheavals
Many of the buildings in San Fran
cisco show the effects of the earth
quake, and while no actual loss of life
was reported, considerable damage to
property occurred and many people
were injured.
For several days more severe
shock was anticipated and work was
suspended in factories and stores and
the public schools were dismissed.
The disturbance took place on Sunday
Mt the hour when churches were hold
ing services. and many worshipers were
injured while trying to escape from
the rocking buildings.
The panic was at its worst in China
town, where the Celestials were
thrown into a frenzy of fear. For days
the streets were filed by Cinnamon
offering sacrifices to the wicked god
who was supposed to be trying to de-
stroy the world
The Chinese believe that the center
of the earth is inhabited by a giant
dragon, who must be appeased by
offerings and prayer. His burning
breath escaping from the interior Of
the earth is supposed to cause vol
canoes, and when he moves about the
earth trembles. There is an old Chi
nese tradition to the effect that some
day the earth will be destroyed by the
wicked earth dragon, and whenever an
earthquake occurs they believe that the
monster is not satisfied with the offer
ings made to him and is making prepa-
rations to come forth and sweep man.
kind from the earth.
They believe that the only way that
this tragedy can be averted is by
wholesale burning of incense and
'tjoss1 paper. At the time of the last
earthquake in San Francisco this
strange belief caused many Of the
denizens of Chinatown to go insane
with fear and many strange scenes
took place. At the first shock the
Cinnamon ran into the streets beating
their breasts and shouting incantations
at the top of their voices, but they soon
settled down to the serious work of
appeasing the wicked dragon. Wash
ington square on Kearney street, was
filed with a horde of jabbering Celes-
tials burning their offerings.
Immense bonfres were built in the
square and on Dupont street and valu-
ables Of all descriptions were thrown
into the flames Fine ebony furniture,
imported at great cost from China,
beautiful embroidered silk hangings
and clothing and bales of spices were
fed to the flames, with reckless disre-
gard Of their value.
In Woo Tung alley, where the head
quarters of the famous tongs, or high
binder societies, were situated, the
demonstration took another form. The
pavement was torn up and in a few
minutes deep hole was excavated in
the street. Into this hole valuable
goods of all kinds were dumped and
even sacks of silver coins were emptied
in the hope that the great earth dragon
would be persuaded to stay in his IN
derground home
In all the streets throughout the Chi
nese district thousands of the frenzied
orientals could be seen kneeling hour
after hour, chanting their prayers at
the top of their voices and beating
their heads on the pavement. When
the police tried to interfere and pre-
vent the building of fires riot took
place, and it was soon seen that any
attempt to control the maddened China
men would be foolish, SO the officers
withdrew. The panic in Chinatown
continued during the night and part
of the next day until, persuaded by the
fact that the earth had ceased to trem-
BILE, the Celestials put a stop to their
orgies of sacrifice.
An amusing scene then took place.
The Cinnamon who had been eager to
destroy their property the night before
seemed determined to reclaim their
valuables from the evil dragon, and
the big hole in Woo Tung alley be-
came the scene Of a pitched battle as
those who had buried their offerings
there fought to regain them. 1t be-
came necessary to call in squad of
police to settle the disputes.
While these strange scenes were be-
ing enacted in Chinatown another PAN
lie of different nature was taking
place across the bay in Oakland. The
shock was more severe In Oakland
than in San Francisco, but fortunately
the business houses were deserted, and
no lives were lost A number of build
ings were warped and damaged by the
upheaval, and they afterward were
condemned and torn down.
The earthquake Of 1898 was felt from
northern California to southern Next