"Three Thibetans. Tibetans or Tribesmen. They used to come down to Chengtu [Chengdu] to trade. Also the missionaries often took trips into the Tribes Country and the C. I. M. had chapels there. Three young Tibetan men pose with their walking sticks.
"Kindergarten, probably Chengtu [Chengdu], early 1920's." Little children are shown seated in a semi-circle in their classroom. Three are seen building a structure with blocks in the center area. Two teachers look on.
The altar area of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Chengdu is shown from the back of the church during a worship service. Banners in Chinese hang on the front walls.
"Rough road leading through a narrow gorge in the O. Mei Sau, a well known mountain in the far west of China Szchwan [Sichuan] Province. Black Dragon canyon near the Flying Bridges. W. E. Manly, Plainfield, Bremer Co. Iowa." A narrow gorge path is constructed of wood planks on top of tree poles that span the stream.
"From our windows. Pagoda at Tzechow (Tzechung). Roof in foreground mission residence." The top levels and roofs of the pagoda at Tzechow are seen in detail. Intricately carved railings surround the porch on each level. Curved poles of bamboo on the roofs create a corrugated effect.
"W. E. Manly with a village group, probably church members. 1930's." W. E. Manly is depicted with a group of men, women and children from a Sichuan village.
"Arch over main highway. Road only for foot passengers or horses. No wheel vehicles were used then. Arches were in honor of widows who did not remarry." A prominent stone arch with relief decorations in the stone and dragon sculptures on each of the roof levels is shown above a road paved with large stones. A man alongside a horse are seen in the foreground.
Several Western men and women, possibly missionaries, pose with two Chinese monks and some bystanders. Bundles tied for transport are seen in the background.
"Chengtu [Chengdu], about 1907? Front row: W. E. Manly, Bishop Lewis, Jim Yard." Chinese Christians, possibly clergy, pose with Dr. Manly, Bishop Lewis and Mr. Yard at Chengdu.
"West gate, Chung King [Chongqing]." The fortress-like entrance to the city is shown from the steps outside. The high stone wall protecting the city can be seen on the left side of the photo.
"Bridges at Wen Jiang [Wenjiang]." Two suspension bridges are shown at a mountainous river junction. A city wall and rooftops of buildings are seen in the foreground.
"(Image of) The weeping priest, who brot the spring of water to the hill-top nearly a hundred years ago. Tsicheo [Tzechow]. R. C. R." A young boy is shown standing next to the statue. Additional idols can be seen in the background.
Whang Mien wedding. 1935 or '36. Florence Manly behind the groom. JB." Family and friends are shown togther on the steps outside a building after a wedding ceremony.
"Wax tree. Wax trees at Omei [Emei]. The wax is formed by an insect. It is very hard and is used for the outside layer of tallow candles." The tree is depicted with the wax on the branches.
"Water wheels at Chengtu [Chengdu]." Two water wheels are shown side by side along a river bank near rapids. Tall supports for the water pipes can be seen in the background.
"Sedan chairs crossing narrow stone bridge. Two large water-wheels. Bamboo pipe conveying the water shows clearly." Two types of litters are shown on a bridge near a large water wheel. Rapids in the river can be seen in the background.
"Water wheel for raising water from river and pouring it into trough to carry it to fields." A bamboo wheel with fins and pipes for collecting water is shown in rapid water at the edge of a river.
"Water wheels. River current diverted." The mechanics of the traditional water wheels for irrigation are shown with the three wheels. The pipes for delivering water to the troughs can be seen at the top of the wheels.
"Water wheel - irrigation." A large bamboo water wheel is shown on a river downstream of rapid water. A long pipe or trough is seen extending out from the top of the wheel.
"Project. Model of waterwheel to develop power mounted on float. By. W. E. Manly." A small scale model of a water driven power generator is depicted. The wheel is mounted on pontoons.
"Field lookout to scare away thieves or wild boars from corn fields." A small hut with a grass roof built at the top of four tall poles is shown at the edge of a corn field.
"County government in the Buddhist cave at Tzechow during war." Men are shown working at desks below an auditorium in a Buddhist cave temple. People are seen in the tiered seating area and several larger than life statues sit in the front sections.
Subject (Geographic):
Sichuan Sheng (China)
Subject (Topic):
Buddhism; Temples; War; Customs and traditions; Religious practice
"For Dr. W. E. Manly with kind regards from Rob't E. Brown. 1926 (about). Left to right: Back row - Spencer Lewis, Bertram Rappe, Front row - Mr. Crawford, W. E. Manly." Four gentlemen are depicted in jackets and ties.
"New Year Caller. Chung-king. Residence at Dzen Jah Nqai. Callers at Mrs. Manly's house in Chungking. A sample audience for a Bible woman to address. Note the children. Probably 1899 or 1900." Women and children are shown seated on the steps and porch wall of a brick building. All are dressed in heavy coats and pants. One child is barefoot.
"Typical village street." Clothes hang from a line draped across a village street while animals are seen wandering freely near shops. A large stone arch spans the main street.
"Rapid. This must be on one of the smaller rivers. Does not look wide enough to be the Yangtze. Typical Szechuan [Sichuan] village with plastered houses, tiled roofs." The homes and buildings of this village are shown built into the base of a hill above the steep rocky land leading down to the water.
"Chung King [Chongqing] ฬถ upper or west end." The city is shown built on a hill extending down to cliffs above the river's edge. Boats can be seen along the water beneath the cliffs. Farmland is seen opposite the city.
"From the south bank of Yangtze. Upper part of Chungking [Chongqing] that was severely bombed first week in May 1939." Terraced hills and fields are shown along the river opposite upper Chongqing.
"Two Preachers and their Families. Li Tien Yuen and Chang fa Go." An extended family is shown posed in a garden. An older woman is seated between two younger women with the children in front, while the men stand in the back.
"Road between terraced rice fields." A narrow stone walkway is shown at the edge of a rice field. A man and horse along with several porters are shown standing in the road as they travel up through the watery fields.
"Tribesman riding pony, border country, Szechuan [Sichuan]." A man from the mountain border area of Sichuan is shown mounted on a pony outside a village wall. Two people dressed for warm weather look on.
"Quaker missionary group going up Yangtze after Boxer rebellion. Sitting on edge of 2nd boat is Miss Elsie M. Hunt, who was teacher in school for missionary children." Several boats are shown tied up at the edge of a river. Narrow planks are seen leading from the boat to the shore. Children of missionaries are seen at the back of one craft.
"Mountain back-carrier with large timber." A man is shown carrying a large log on his back as he pauses to rest. Part of a wood brace can be seen against his back with a piece extending up to the support the timber.
"Method of carrying cotton. Bale of cotton with two-man carry. Must have been near Chinese New Year, because the Lo-han mask was used at that time." Two men are shown transporting a very large bundle of cotton tied to bamboo poles on their shoulders.
"Baskets being carried to market at Kuanhsien; rope bridge in background." Two men are shown supporting woven baskets stacked high on their backs at the side of a road next to a river near Kuanhsien [Guan Xian].
"Load of grass. American Dispensary, Chungking, China." A young man is shown carrying a large bale of grass on his back. There are several lines of handwriting on the back of the postcard.
"Coffin & bearers at Dzen Jah Nqai, Chungking [Chongqing]. Rig for 8-man load." Men are depicted transporting a casket over a dirt path. The solid wooden coffin is suspended by ropes from large wooden poles that are supported on the shoulders of eight men.
Subject (Geographic):
Sichuan Sheng (China)
Subject (Topic):
Transport; Customs and traditions; Religious practice
"Tzechow pagoda ฬถ Old missionary residence in background." The top four levels of the pagoda are shown next to a tall tree on a hillside. The roofs of the pagoda are corrugated and curve up at the corners.
"Threshing rice." Farmers are shown in a rice field harvesting and threshing the grain by hand. Workers are depicted beating the bundles of straw against a screen fitted in a wooden box. The caption is handwritten on the back of the postcard.
"Threshing grain." Two workers are shown in a paddy beating bundles of grain against a tall screen. The screen rests in a wooden box where the grain is collected. A third person is shown cutting the rice plants.
"Sin Chi Su with his agricultural boys. Fertilizer buckets at right. 1940's." A sharply dressed young man wearing a fedora is shown with several young boys working in a vegetable garden. The rooftops of a few small buildings, possible mission buildings, are seen in the background.
"Temple at Tzechow." The temple is shown above a lower courtyard where many large urns are stored under awnings. The multi-storied center entrance topped with an ornate curved roof is striking against the background of trees.
"Offering candles and incense before the Goddess of Bright Eyes and other gods. Tsicheo [Tzechow]. 1905 or 1906. R. C. R." Candles are shown burning in holders before various deities in a temple.
Subject (Geographic):
Sichuan Sheng (China)
Subject (Topic):
Customs and traditions; Temples; Religious practice
"Idols - I think in temple at Tzechow." Figurines of various deities are shown on a temple altar. A large stand to hold sticks of incense is shown before the altar.
"Temple entrance." The entrance to the temple is shown between trees on a mountainside. The traditional curved roof is supported by columns resting on a brick archway over the walkway into the temple.
"Temple guardians in Buddhist temple, probably at Kuanshien [Guan Xian]. Second from the right is Thunder god." Five life-size statues of different gods are depicted in an alcove behind a rail. A stand holding incense sticks is shown placed before the grouping.
"A band of worshippers with musicians. Da O Si, Mt. Omei. Our rooms were at left side of the court - upper level, but overlooking the lower court. The big tree at back is in the temple, extending up thru Mr. Beaman's rooms. It is worshipped as a god. Ph. By R.R. Gerirce. 1906." White flags are carried during a temple celebration on Mount Omei [Mount Emei]. Monks and worshippers are shown gathered at the courtyard.
Subject (Geographic):
Sichuan Sheng (China)
Subject (Topic):
Temples; Buddhism; Religious practice; Customs and traditions; Musicians
"Temple ฬถ not identified." An ornate pagoda is shown above the rooftops of temple buildings. Niches with sculpture can be seen on the sides of each level of the tower.
"1904 or 1905. The Tze Chow [Tzechow]Boys' School. Several girls included ฬถ one standing in front of teacher on left, 5 in front row. Because of their urgent pleas, F. B. M. [Florence B. Manly] opened first girls' school in Tzechow." Boys and girls of varying ages are depicted with their teacher at the boys' school in Tzechow.
"Taoist priest selling medicines & charms." A Taoist priest poses wearing a wide brimmed hat and patched robe. Around his neck are seen three amulets and a large prayer necklace. A large gourd-like vessel and what appear to be feathers are worn at his belt.
"Pig going to market." A large pig is shown in a cradle suspended with ropes from a long wood pole. Two men support the pole on their shoulders to transport the animal.
"Suspension Bridge, Kwan Shien [Guan Xian]." A footbridge suspended from tall wooden supports is shown crossing a river and flood plain. High mountains can be seen in the distance.
"Ducklings in the act of hatching." Two people kneel beside a cardboard mat to watch ducklings emerge from their shells. Over two dozen eqqs are shown intact. A tall round basket is seen next to the baby birds.
"Typical 'street' children. Middle 1920's." A group of children of all ages and several adults pose on the steps of a building. Most are shown wearing heavy jackets and hats.
A Western man poses in front of a stone building with a lean-to type of roof. Two largewooden poles, possibly torches, stand in the front on either side of the door. Part of a building is seen on one side of the structure.
"Property of W. E. Manly. Missionary to Western China. Please return. 7000. 14125 ft to top Baidie. 14115 ft to top of Pike's Peak." A narrow mountain valley is shown in a mountain range. A small tree and native vegetation are seen in the foreground.
"Road up a mountain, probably Jin Fu San." A narrow stone road is seen winding up a steep mountainside. The area is densely covered in trees and vegetation.
"'Spirit pillars' at wayside shrine." A roadside shrine is shown on a hillside under trees. The cross like markers hold offerings or rock cairns left by people passing.
"W. E. M. with church group, probably at Jienchow, where Mr. & Mrs. Fung lived (he at far left back row; she at far right front row)." Members of a local Methodist church group are shown together outside a church.
"Shoemaker, Photographed in studio by Mr. Davidson of Friends' Mission. Dates from 1890's." A man is shown at work making a shoe or boot. Stacks of cut shoe soles and lengths of cording can be seen nearby.
"Public pipe - The man holding the waterpipe (for tobacco), would sell 3 puffs to all comers, in public places." A young man is shown wearing a pouch for tobacco and holding a pipe for a young woman customer.
"Makers of Idols. American Dispensary, Chungking, China." A man is shown putting the finishing touches on a figurine. Several finished pieces stand on a countertop for sale. There is no handwriting on the back of the postcard.