Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1904 — Thibetian Oddities. [ARTICLE]

Thibetian Oddities.

The ways of the Thibetians are past comprehension, and it is no wonder that the English expedition to their sacred city, Lassa, are meeting with many difficulties other than those due to the natural ruggedness of this extremely mountainous country. Little is known about this strange region, but that little gives it a deci<iedty bad flavor. The people are extravagantly fond of dazzling jewelry of all kinds. Human bodies are fed to bald-headed eagles and dogs. Some are thrown into the river and burned, but as a rule cremation is rare. Small-pox, which flourishes in all countries, regardless of race, language or custom, has piayed great havoc in Thibet. More than G.OOO fatal cases are on record, but the population continues to increase just the same. Several Europeans have entered Lassa since the expulsion of the French priests Hue and Gabet In 1840. Instead of being sent away they were cared for and given much good food—poisoned. Once two foreigners and a foreign woman came within a day’s journey of Lassa. They were permitted to send for food and were not poisoned, but they were not allowed to enter the sacred city. ▲ woman never realizes that she has dore something wonderful after stepping backward off a street car and escaping with her life.