Missouri Death Record Database: Transcript
Sun, Marie Woo
~Female, Chinese, married
~Adult
~Place of birth: China
~Date of death: Aug 14, 1886
~Place of death: 410 E. 10th
~Cause of death: Mal. Fever
~Dr. J. Cooley
A very peculiar funeral took place August 15, 1886 from 410 East Tenth street, the deceased being Mrs. Sing, wife of Dr. Chung Sing, and the first Chinese woman who has ever died in Kansas City.
Late on Friday evening, August 13th, Undertaker Stine received a telephone call to go to the above address, as a person had died at that place and his services were required. When he arrived at the house he found two or three Chinese there and several American ladies who had called to offer their sympathies.
The body was laid out in the usual way and Dr. Sing ordered an elegant rosewood coffin with silver handles and a silver plate, upon which was engraved:" Manie Woo Sing, 16 years old. Died August 13, 1886."
Dr. Sing begged Undertaker Stine very hard to sit up with the corpse all night, but as he could not do so he sent one of his men, who watched the body until morning. Only once did the husband of the dead child wife enter the room, and then requested that the attendant should drop a twenty-five cent piece into her mouth, which request was granted. This proceeding is a part of the Chinese burial ceremony, and is designed to supply the wants of the celestial traveler in the world beyond.
When the undertaker went to fasten down the coffin lid for the last time yesterday Chung Sing stopped him with a motion of the hand, and going over to the corpse he patted her on the cheek as the tears streamed from his eyes. As soon as he could control himself he repeated in a soft tone a prayer, consigning the soul of his wife to the Chinese god. The undertakers were allowed to proceed after the prayer. The only mourners were the husband and his Chinese servant. The latter carried in his hands a large package of manila papers, abut six inches long and two inches wide, which were thrown out of the carriage window all along the route to Union Cemetery and in the cemetery. Each of these slips of paper contained nine holes in the center and were arranged in three rows of three each. The slips were intended to represent Chinese money.Dr. Chin Sing told a TIMES representative last night, stated in pigeon English that his wife was only 16 yrs old, and that they had been married in Pueblo, Col, on January 28. Her maiden name was Sun, and she came from the Celestial empire at the age of 6 years. After the marriage her parents returned to China and he and his bride came to Kansas City. She had been sick for fifty-two days.
The remains were buried, Sunday, Aug 15, 1886 without any ceremony whatever.
KANSAS CITY TIMES, Sunday , Aug 15, 1886
Transcibed by Harold DeGoode, Union Cemetery Historical Society.
Complete article at Union Cemetery cottage.∼THE KANSAS CITY TIMES
Kansas City, Missouri
Monday, August 16, 1886
Page 11
MRS. SING CONSIGNED TO THE TOMB.
The Body of the Beautiful Young Chinese
Bride Buried with Due Solemnities.
At 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Undertaker Stine, accompanied by Dr. Chung Sing and an attendant, drove out to Union cemetery to witness the removal of the remains of Mrs. Sing from the vault to the grave beneath the shadow of a large and stately maple. After the body had been lowered into the earth and the clods were beginning to fall on the coffin box, Dr. Sing directed the attendant in the Chinese language to ignite the substance which he carried in a small box. The attendant complied and the material, which looked very much like American "punk," burned slowly, emitting a pleasant perfume and a phosphorescent glare. This ceremony is performed by the disciples of Confucius under the belief that the perfume will have a tendency to frighten away the spirits of the evil one who are supposed to hover around the grave of a person who has recently departed from earth and who finds a temporary resting place within the walls of a narrow vault where all must lie.
In three days, the mourning husband will return again laden with chicken and delicacies of the Orient which will be placed beside the grave, and a bowl of rice and a pair of chop sticks will be placed at the head of the tomb. This is done in the belief that the spirit of the departed is hungry, and to further show that she has not been forgotten by her living relatives and friends.
The death of Mrs. Sing has attracted much attention from the fact that she was only 16 years of age and very beautiful. The Chinese residents of the city who had seen her pronounced her the most beautiful Chinese woman they had ever seen in America. She was the first Chinese woman who ever died in Kansas City.
Sun, Marie Woo
~Female, Chinese, married
~Adult
~Place of birth: China
~Date of death: Aug 14, 1886
~Place of death: 410 E. 10th
~Cause of death: Mal. Fever
~Dr. J. Cooley
A very peculiar funeral took place August 15, 1886 from 410 East Tenth street, the deceased being Mrs. Sing, wife of Dr. Chung Sing, and the first Chinese woman who has ever died in Kansas City.
Late on Friday evening, August 13th, Undertaker Stine received a telephone call to go to the above address, as a person had died at that place and his services were required. When he arrived at the house he found two or three Chinese there and several American ladies who had called to offer their sympathies.
The body was laid out in the usual way and Dr. Sing ordered an elegant rosewood coffin with silver handles and a silver plate, upon which was engraved:" Manie Woo Sing, 16 years old. Died August 13, 1886."
Dr. Sing begged Undertaker Stine very hard to sit up with the corpse all night, but as he could not do so he sent one of his men, who watched the body until morning. Only once did the husband of the dead child wife enter the room, and then requested that the attendant should drop a twenty-five cent piece into her mouth, which request was granted. This proceeding is a part of the Chinese burial ceremony, and is designed to supply the wants of the celestial traveler in the world beyond.
When the undertaker went to fasten down the coffin lid for the last time yesterday Chung Sing stopped him with a motion of the hand, and going over to the corpse he patted her on the cheek as the tears streamed from his eyes. As soon as he could control himself he repeated in a soft tone a prayer, consigning the soul of his wife to the Chinese god. The undertakers were allowed to proceed after the prayer. The only mourners were the husband and his Chinese servant. The latter carried in his hands a large package of manila papers, abut six inches long and two inches wide, which were thrown out of the carriage window all along the route to Union Cemetery and in the cemetery. Each of these slips of paper contained nine holes in the center and were arranged in three rows of three each. The slips were intended to represent Chinese money.Dr. Chin Sing told a TIMES representative last night, stated in pigeon English that his wife was only 16 yrs old, and that they had been married in Pueblo, Col, on January 28. Her maiden name was Sun, and she came from the Celestial empire at the age of 6 years. After the marriage her parents returned to China and he and his bride came to Kansas City. She had been sick for fifty-two days.
The remains were buried, Sunday, Aug 15, 1886 without any ceremony whatever.
KANSAS CITY TIMES, Sunday , Aug 15, 1886
Transcibed by Harold DeGoode, Union Cemetery Historical Society.
Complete article at Union Cemetery cottage.∼THE KANSAS CITY TIMES
Kansas City, Missouri
Monday, August 16, 1886
Page 11
MRS. SING CONSIGNED TO THE TOMB.
The Body of the Beautiful Young Chinese
Bride Buried with Due Solemnities.
At 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Undertaker Stine, accompanied by Dr. Chung Sing and an attendant, drove out to Union cemetery to witness the removal of the remains of Mrs. Sing from the vault to the grave beneath the shadow of a large and stately maple. After the body had been lowered into the earth and the clods were beginning to fall on the coffin box, Dr. Sing directed the attendant in the Chinese language to ignite the substance which he carried in a small box. The attendant complied and the material, which looked very much like American "punk," burned slowly, emitting a pleasant perfume and a phosphorescent glare. This ceremony is performed by the disciples of Confucius under the belief that the perfume will have a tendency to frighten away the spirits of the evil one who are supposed to hover around the grave of a person who has recently departed from earth and who finds a temporary resting place within the walls of a narrow vault where all must lie.
In three days, the mourning husband will return again laden with chicken and delicacies of the Orient which will be placed beside the grave, and a bowl of rice and a pair of chop sticks will be placed at the head of the tomb. This is done in the belief that the spirit of the departed is hungry, and to further show that she has not been forgotten by her living relatives and friends.
The death of Mrs. Sing has attracted much attention from the fact that she was only 16 years of age and very beautiful. The Chinese residents of the city who had seen her pronounced her the most beautiful Chinese woman they had ever seen in America. She was the first Chinese woman who ever died in Kansas City.
Missouri Death Record Database: Transcript
Sun, Marie Woo
~Female, Chinese, married
~Adult
~Place of birth: China
~Date of death: Aug 14, 1886
~Place of death: 410 E. 10th
~Cause of death: Mal. Fever
~Dr. J. Cooley
A very peculiar funeral took place August 15, 1886 from 410 East Tenth street, the deceased being Mrs. Sing, wife of Dr. Chung Sing, and the first Chinese woman who has ever died in Kansas City.
Late on Friday evening, August 13th, Undertaker Stine received a telephone call to go to the above address, as a person had died at that place and his services were required. When he arrived at the house he found two or three Chinese there and several American ladies who had called to offer their sympathies.
The body was laid out in the usual way and Dr. Sing ordered an elegant rosewood coffin with silver handles and a silver plate, upon which was engraved:" Manie Woo Sing, 16 years old. Died August 13, 1886."
Dr. Sing begged Undertaker Stine very hard to sit up with the corpse all night, but as he could not do so he sent one of his men, who watched the body until morning. Only once did the husband of the dead child wife enter the room, and then requested that the attendant should drop a twenty-five cent piece into her mouth, which request was granted. This proceeding is a part of the Chinese burial ceremony, and is designed to supply the wants of the celestial traveler in the world beyond.
When the undertaker went to fasten down the coffin lid for the last time yesterday Chung Sing stopped him with a motion of the hand, and going over to the corpse he patted her on the cheek as the tears streamed from his eyes. As soon as he could control himself he repeated in a soft tone a prayer, consigning the soul of his wife to the Chinese god. The undertakers were allowed to proceed after the prayer. The only mourners were the husband and his Chinese servant. The latter carried in his hands a large package of manila papers, abut six inches long and two inches wide, which were thrown out of the carriage window all along the route to Union Cemetery and in the cemetery. Each of these slips of paper contained nine holes in the center and were arranged in three rows of three each. The slips were intended to represent Chinese money.Dr. Chin Sing told a TIMES representative last night, stated in pigeon English that his wife was only 16 yrs old, and that they had been married in Pueblo, Col, on January 28. Her maiden name was Sun, and she came from the Celestial empire at the age of 6 years. After the marriage her parents returned to China and he and his bride came to Kansas City. She had been sick for fifty-two days.
The remains were buried, Sunday, Aug 15, 1886 without any ceremony whatever.
KANSAS CITY TIMES, Sunday , Aug 15, 1886
Transcibed by Harold DeGoode, Union Cemetery Historical Society.
Complete article at Union Cemetery cottage.∼THE KANSAS CITY TIMES
Kansas City, Missouri
Monday, August 16, 1886
Page 11
MRS. SING CONSIGNED TO THE TOMB.
The Body of the Beautiful Young Chinese
Bride Buried with Due Solemnities.
At 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Undertaker Stine, accompanied by Dr. Chung Sing and an attendant, drove out to Union cemetery to witness the removal of the remains of Mrs. Sing from the vault to the grave beneath the shadow of a large and stately maple. After the body had been lowered into the earth and the clods were beginning to fall on the coffin box, Dr. Sing directed the attendant in the Chinese language to ignite the substance which he carried in a small box. The attendant complied and the material, which looked very much like American "punk," burned slowly, emitting a pleasant perfume and a phosphorescent glare. This ceremony is performed by the disciples of Confucius under the belief that the perfume will have a tendency to frighten away the spirits of the evil one who are supposed to hover around the grave of a person who has recently departed from earth and who finds a temporary resting place within the walls of a narrow vault where all must lie.
In three days, the mourning husband will return again laden with chicken and delicacies of the Orient which will be placed beside the grave, and a bowl of rice and a pair of chop sticks will be placed at the head of the tomb. This is done in the belief that the spirit of the departed is hungry, and to further show that she has not been forgotten by her living relatives and friends.
The death of Mrs. Sing has attracted much attention from the fact that she was only 16 years of age and very beautiful. The Chinese residents of the city who had seen her pronounced her the most beautiful Chinese woman they had ever seen in America. She was the first Chinese woman who ever died in Kansas City.
Sun, Marie Woo
~Female, Chinese, married
~Adult
~Place of birth: China
~Date of death: Aug 14, 1886
~Place of death: 410 E. 10th
~Cause of death: Mal. Fever
~Dr. J. Cooley
A very peculiar funeral took place August 15, 1886 from 410 East Tenth street, the deceased being Mrs. Sing, wife of Dr. Chung Sing, and the first Chinese woman who has ever died in Kansas City.
Late on Friday evening, August 13th, Undertaker Stine received a telephone call to go to the above address, as a person had died at that place and his services were required. When he arrived at the house he found two or three Chinese there and several American ladies who had called to offer their sympathies.
The body was laid out in the usual way and Dr. Sing ordered an elegant rosewood coffin with silver handles and a silver plate, upon which was engraved:" Manie Woo Sing, 16 years old. Died August 13, 1886."
Dr. Sing begged Undertaker Stine very hard to sit up with the corpse all night, but as he could not do so he sent one of his men, who watched the body until morning. Only once did the husband of the dead child wife enter the room, and then requested that the attendant should drop a twenty-five cent piece into her mouth, which request was granted. This proceeding is a part of the Chinese burial ceremony, and is designed to supply the wants of the celestial traveler in the world beyond.
When the undertaker went to fasten down the coffin lid for the last time yesterday Chung Sing stopped him with a motion of the hand, and going over to the corpse he patted her on the cheek as the tears streamed from his eyes. As soon as he could control himself he repeated in a soft tone a prayer, consigning the soul of his wife to the Chinese god. The undertakers were allowed to proceed after the prayer. The only mourners were the husband and his Chinese servant. The latter carried in his hands a large package of manila papers, abut six inches long and two inches wide, which were thrown out of the carriage window all along the route to Union Cemetery and in the cemetery. Each of these slips of paper contained nine holes in the center and were arranged in three rows of three each. The slips were intended to represent Chinese money.Dr. Chin Sing told a TIMES representative last night, stated in pigeon English that his wife was only 16 yrs old, and that they had been married in Pueblo, Col, on January 28. Her maiden name was Sun, and she came from the Celestial empire at the age of 6 years. After the marriage her parents returned to China and he and his bride came to Kansas City. She had been sick for fifty-two days.
The remains were buried, Sunday, Aug 15, 1886 without any ceremony whatever.
KANSAS CITY TIMES, Sunday , Aug 15, 1886
Transcibed by Harold DeGoode, Union Cemetery Historical Society.
Complete article at Union Cemetery cottage.∼THE KANSAS CITY TIMES
Kansas City, Missouri
Monday, August 16, 1886
Page 11
MRS. SING CONSIGNED TO THE TOMB.
The Body of the Beautiful Young Chinese
Bride Buried with Due Solemnities.
At 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Undertaker Stine, accompanied by Dr. Chung Sing and an attendant, drove out to Union cemetery to witness the removal of the remains of Mrs. Sing from the vault to the grave beneath the shadow of a large and stately maple. After the body had been lowered into the earth and the clods were beginning to fall on the coffin box, Dr. Sing directed the attendant in the Chinese language to ignite the substance which he carried in a small box. The attendant complied and the material, which looked very much like American "punk," burned slowly, emitting a pleasant perfume and a phosphorescent glare. This ceremony is performed by the disciples of Confucius under the belief that the perfume will have a tendency to frighten away the spirits of the evil one who are supposed to hover around the grave of a person who has recently departed from earth and who finds a temporary resting place within the walls of a narrow vault where all must lie.
In three days, the mourning husband will return again laden with chicken and delicacies of the Orient which will be placed beside the grave, and a bowl of rice and a pair of chop sticks will be placed at the head of the tomb. This is done in the belief that the spirit of the departed is hungry, and to further show that she has not been forgotten by her living relatives and friends.
The death of Mrs. Sing has attracted much attention from the fact that she was only 16 years of age and very beautiful. The Chinese residents of the city who had seen her pronounced her the most beautiful Chinese woman they had ever seen in America. She was the first Chinese woman who ever died in Kansas City.
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Written in Chinese
Gravesite Details
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