Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-12-26
LOCAL NEWS.

CHRISTMAS The weather yesterday was a
continuation Of the delightful sunshine and
mild temperature that had been prevailing for
days before, and was enjoyed by everybody
Business in the city, except at the market and
the confectionery, toy, book and jewelry stores,
and restaurants, was entirely suspended, aud
general holiday was observed. From Christ
mas Eve until last night the streets were res
onant with the sounds of gun powder-ex-
ploded 10 the various forms iu which that CON-
pound is put up-and Of horns-ot which
every boy in the city seemed to have one, aud
universal hilari,y prevailed. During the day
appropriate services were held III the Catholic,
Lutheran and Episcopal Churches, which were
beautifully dressed for the occasion. King
street was thronged nearly all the time by
crowds of merry makers, maDy of whom, uD-
fortunately had partaken of two much egg
nog, and som: Of whom found their way to the
station house. The inmates OF the Aims House
aud Jail were furnished with sumptuous din
pers by the keepers OF those institutions, and
most of the poor throughout the city had
their temporary wants supplied. BY those
who were better off the day was spent in the
enjoyment Of its usual festivities.
DEATH OF Col CHARLES E. STUART. Col.
Charles f. Stuart died at one o clock on Christ
mas morning after protracted illness. He
had been too weak to talk for some time before
his death, and for several days Immediately
preceding his dissolution was unconscious but
had lucid intervals until the last, during which
he recognized his friends, and falling into a
gentle slumber at the conclusion of the last one,
never woke again, and died SO peacefully that
the exact moment OF his demise was unknown
to the watchers at his bedside. Col. Stuart was
GaS OH
known throughout the State. He had been
Commonwealth Attorney for the city aud
county for number of years, aud at the time
of his death was the Attorney for the Corpora.
ton. He was Colonel of the l75th regiment
of Virginia militia, and commanded that regi-
ment DUNG the John Brown raid. His remains
were escorted to the grave yard this afternoon
by the Masons and large cortege of friends,
having been proceeded during the last few
years by three of his friends and fellow men,
bers of the bar Capt. w. H. Dulany. Col.
G. w. Brent and COL L B. Taylor
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL. The festival for the
children of the Baptist Sunday School came
off last night. The church was handsomely trim
med with evergreen, and in front of the pulpit
were three trees, loaded with weli-h'led CORFU
copias. After the singing of the Christmas
Carol, the pastor made some remarks appro-
pirate to the occasion, aud presented a prize
to Harry Barker for the best drawn map of
Palestine, after which he offered prayer. The
school then sang hymn from Fresh Laures"
called "kriss Kriugle," aud during the sing
ing of this hymn krss made his appearance,
quickly followed by bis old master "Saota
Claus greatly to the amusement OF all the
young folks present They distributed toys to
the children, after which the trees were strip
ped OF their good things; the benediction was
pronounced, aud the children dispersed to
their homes Rarely have We seen young peo-
pie enjoy themselves so much. The reporter
wishes the children may have many returns of
this happy season.