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Back in the 1880s, Phoenix was still a dusty, growing frontier town. People from all over the world were building lives here, including a small Chinese community that brought its own rich traditions. One story we came across recently gives us a rare glimpse into that time: the early recorded Chinese Masonic funeral in Phoenix.
The funeral was for a former cook from the mining town of
Seymour, Arizona, who had passed away from tuberculosis. His friends honored
him with traditional Chinese funeral customs. This consisted of incense burning, white mourning
clothes, and even a hired mourner to wail in sorrow. The Phoenix Brass Band led
a procession through the streets, and firecrackers popped in the air to scare
away evil spirits.
It must have been an amazing sight for the people of
Phoenix, many of whom had never seen anything like it before.
Sadly, while tradition called for the soul to return to China, frontier realities were different. Based on the timing, it’s very likely he was buried in Phoenix’s original town cemetery and remained there. When that cemetery was moved to what is now the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, unclaimed graves were moved into a mass grave at Loosley Cemetery.
Today, we don’t know exactly where that mass grave is. It's one of many pieces of history that have been lost to time. We hope he was sent back to China. We just don't know.
Still, stories like this remind us that Phoenix’s history
has always been a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and untold journeys.
Every life mattered and remembering them keeps their spirit alive.
Note - Chee Kung Tong (致公堂) were referred to as the Chinese Freemasons in Phoenix
Historical Source:
The Phoenix Herald (Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona Territory), August 13, 1880.
(Note: Some terminology and descriptions in the original article reflect the prejudices of the era.)
-Want to help us uncover more
stories and preserve Phoenix’s earliest cemeteries?
www.azhistcemeteries.org
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