, 1859-11-26
Thanksgiving ut the Chicago Reform
school.

0[1AVSA*
I.ssr+, Editors An intination came to rs
few days since, that At the Reform School On
Thanksgiving (our Gorern0ra Sunday, there
would be exercises ofan interesting nature We
started of this morning SO rs to 10 on hand.
On our ns1irnl We vere informed that :" all
things were ready" and at l. Nth boys were
assembled in the Chapel, '4hith 10 found very
neatly decorated with evcrgreens.
At the rear end Of the room Was portrait Of
Washington Suspended between tHo national
flags in the middle of the room, large arch Of
eYerg.eene, in The csnter Of which hung fine
photograph Of the worthy Superintendent, over
which was the motto " We are alt one family :"
on the left, "Excelsior;;" On the right, "our
motto is onward and upward"
The exercises Of the day were commenced
Next. prayer BY Mr. E. .. fade, of "Chicago
Theological Seminary" who afterwards read
the first psalm, following hereading BY app1o-
PIRATE remarks, and, jud ging from the attention
paid BY the boys, they weIe muck interested.
tie was then followed BY otbsn, after which oc-
curred scene Of more than ordinary interest 4
Ind, not fat from II yeass Of go arose, and ed-
dressing himselfto Ills fellows gave brief his
tory Of the institution, af!udinE p te tine when
be, with others. we're takea Inn the Jail four
years since, and when soon afl1{n consequence
Of the fire which destroyed r4r building, they
we're obliged to t.ke shelter }z3he," Old Pink
iinog House, how kindly thet9ssre treated by
institution since, and Of bis attachment to it,
closing by presenting to Ar. u. a fins gold hunt.
ing watch, engraved on the iu&ide Of the case,
Presented '' to Rev. D.. E Nichols, Of the
Chicago Reform School," &c. Coming Is it did
as token Of respect and affection from the fell
low teachers and the boys under his care, BONE
Of whem were regarded bJ the Police OF the
city At the time when they we're committed; as
being among the most hopeless IN our city. 1t
told volumes in behalf Of the influence be hns
already acquired over them.
To this Ar. y. made brief aud touching re-
ply, and with much feeling spoke Of the poet,
e1horting the boys to good dction in the future
during which it became difficult for him to re~
press bis emotion; in fact there we're but few
dry eyes in the room, and fex once, if never be-
fore, lads whom the most of Us are apt 10 regard
as being *hardeoed in sin, Furnished satisfac-
tory evidence that when approached in the right
way, they are not entirely insensible to the joys
and sorrows Of others.
At the close Of Mr. Ms remarks another
graduate Of the school, 4 young man perhaps
90 years Of age, Was 'pernitt.d to speak" for
himself
lie said that the c. r. 8. had sared Aimsdf and
others from the State prison, and probably saved
them from the g1o1es. and that he felt to ftiotte
that his steps were ever directed thither.
A.G. Throop, Esq, closed The exercises by
encouraging the boys to act well their part in
life. and to strive to BECOME useful citizens,
making use Of illustrations and arguments such
~ are calculated to benetit1he lads, and fayora-
bly, to impress their minds and understaudiugs
After singing several pieces, came "feast Of ia.
rhings"- chickenG, ducks, ETC., too nu-
merous to mention, which. although they came
last, rridtnky we're not lta1t in the affections Of
the boys, if one might junge from their counte-
nances :" rs they sat at meat"
Where nil these good things came from, we
do not know, but were sure Of cue thing,
somebody has had hand in the matter,''
and made 100 boys happy for once, If they nevez
were before.
The arrangements web all made and the
room decorated By the Fs, and attended too
by committees from Il own number. "Afl
things were done With eucy and in order
and spoke well for the ness tact Of the lads
having the several depaa Tents in charge.
aAmorg the invited guest& were quite number
Of boys, graduates from Ythe school, who had
returned to enjoy the festivities Of the day, and
who as they parted from &heir old mates, aud
especially from Mr, NJ 6yinced their attach
ment for him, "yet sonk1ing most Of all for
TIE words that he spoke, that they should see