The Troubles of Charley Loo

Americans of today often struggle with the acceptance of the millions of migrants entering the United States. But native born Americans of the 19th century were no less threatened by the boatloads of immigrants who came by the millions and poured into the United States from around the world. 

They were particularly intolerant of those whose customs and rituals  were far different from their own. They responded by exerting not-so-subtle pressures on newcomers who failed to conform with what they believed was the traditional "American way of life." Those who persisted in what was  termed strange customs found themselves, at the very least, harassed, ostracized, or the but of jokes by neighbors and the local press.

And so it was in May of 1896 when a Fremont (Ohio) Daily News reporter arrived at "Chinatown," then known locally as 313 Garrison Street, the site of the Chinese laundry. He was there to investigate a disturbance that had awakened the neighborhood, and filled the "air with flying pig tails, flat irons, and Chinese swear words."

After much "pig-tail talk," the reporter learned that Charley Loo and his brother were arguing over money. To resolve the matter, the Loos sent for One Lung of Toledo. But it seems One Lung was more interested in Mrs. Loo than in settling the dispute. A "free-for-all" between One Lung and the jealous "washee-washee proprietor" broke out. The police finally gained control and "once more peace reigned supreme in Chinatown"...but not for long.

By noon the following day, the News reporter was rushing back to 313 Garrison, where the drama continued. He and Dr. Thomas found Charley with "barely a pulse and eyes protruding from the sockets." So distressed over his wife's infidelity, Charley decide to end it all by taking "enough opium to kill several ordinary  men." Despite Dr. Thomas' efforts, Charley passed away within hours. 

Struggling to understand the "Chinese chatter," the reporter and undertaker Tschumy attempted to carry out the Loo family instruction as best they could. In fact the customs they found so strange were traditional Tao burial rituals. After the widow washed the body with "buying water," she dressed Charley in his finest clothes, hat, and best sandals. She placed a coin in his mouth, a fan in one hand, a handkerchief in the other. Coins and colored paper surrounded Charley's body as it lay in Tschumy's plain, black coffin with feet toward the door.   

Arriving at Oakwood Cemetery, the Loos prepared to burn Charley's possessions. All was about to go up in smoke when Charley's brother pulled an item belonging to One Lung from the "bonfire." Nothing of the man who had destroyed the Loo marriage must be allowed to enter the "spirit land" with Charley. Ridicule began to give way to respect as the reporter attempted to help Tschumy and the Loos  make Charley's "transition" to the "spirit land."

But it seems the drama would not end! Rumors soon flew around the city that Charley's corpse had been stolen from Oakwood Cemetery. Finally, Loo's brother insisted the body be exhumed. Charley was still there. But he would not remain there forever. Thirteen years later, Loo's brother ordered Charley exhumed once more. This time his remains were bound for China on a ship commissioned by relatives to return him for burial in his homeland...May you always rest in peace Charley Loo!