The Mystery of "Ding Long" (13)
Enter the "Golden Mountain Box" in the former residence of Longma Wanchang and others
Chan Ka Kee
On October 10, 2023, the author entered Ma Wanchang's former residence in Qianqiuli Village, Baisha Town, together with Ma Wanchang's great-grandson Huang Changquan, and Huang Zhirong and Huang Xiangguang, cadres of the Overseas Chinese Federation of Baisha Town, Taishan City.
In addition to the well-known photo of Dean Lung that proves that Jin Longma Wanchang is Dean Lung ("Ding Long"), nearly ten "gold mountain boxes" were also found on the second floor of the former residence.
"Jinshan" is the customary name of the overseas Chinese in Wuyi for United States. Back then, when overseas Chinese in United States returned to China, they put all gold, silver, fine and soft items into this large box and transported them to their homes. A box can only be carried by 2-4 people. "Jinshan Box" is a symbol of overseas Chinese wealth. (Excerpt from Baidu Encyclopedia)
A "golden mountain box" brought back by Ma Wanchang from the United States upstairs in the former residence Photo by Huang Zhirong
Ma Wanchang went to United States in 1875 and returned to his hometown in 1905 after leaving United States, where he stayed for 30 years before and after the United States, including more than 20 years in the service of Carpentier. He followed Carpentier to Hong Kong and other places for business on several occasions, and several times he returned home, got married, and had children. According to the October 13, 1901, New York-English newspaper New York Tribune, which I found, "He was married and had three children. ”
Because he has returned to his hometown many times, it is not surprising that there are many "golden mountain boxes" in Ma Wanchang's former residence.
In addition, several relics suspected of being Ma Wanchang were found in the former residence:
A broken glasses, an awl, and a toothbrush.
The suspected relics of Ma Wanchang were found in the drawer of the altar table upstairs of the former residence
From the analysis of the broken condition of the glasses, this should be an item that Ma Wanchang once used. The toothbrush had the trademark "Xingpai Toothbrush" on it, as well as the manufacturer's name "Zhaoxing Chang厰製".
Check online and get a picture of the same toothbrush on 7788 Collection:
Xingpai trademark toothbrush during the Republic of China Image source: 7788 collection network
In a corner of the former residence, a pair of brown leather shoes with soles were also found, which were obviously foreign leather shoe styles, and were also suspected to be leather shoes brought back from United States by Ma Wanchang. Unfortunately, I was not able to take pictures that day. Judging by the color on the bristles of the toothbrush, this toothbrush, which is suspected to be a relic of Ma Wanchang, is likely to be an old toothbrush used to brush leather shoes.