Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-24
THE CHRISTMAS RUSH
POST-MEN AND EXPRESS PEOPLE
PACKED WITH PRESENTS.
Great Preparations for the Celebration OF
the Holiday Season-Ecunions
and Dinners.

"Our business has increased three OF
fourfolJ within the past week" is what
Postmaster Russell said yesterday when
asked by a Dispatch reporter how the
Christmas trade had affected his Office.
The mail was crowded with packages TO
90 to many States. There We're presents
for father, mother, brother, sister, uncle,
aunt, and sweetheart. The employees were
pressed hard to distribute all this matter
and send il away. The force is entirely
700 small, Mr. Russell SAID, for such
an occasion. but he was determined
TO kave tho work dOre even II he
had 30 employ extra men with his own
means The increase began 20 be
felt about a week ago, and has grown
steadily to this time. All day long sat
urdav and yesterday there was stream or
people gong into the Office. Around the
stamn-wndOw there was crowd all dav.
The .uonev-order depart ment was overrun
with work From B. L. Johnson's pub
fishing house and some other establish
mcuts mail matter was sent 70 the Oihce by
the drav-lOad.
Mr. Russell said he is going to mako a
big effort 20 get tue department 70 N
crease his force. which he thinks entirely
too small for a growing city like Hlch-
IlDilu. 1Ut ittAfI-Asll lNA1s 4lD fefiis 10
routes entirely too long. and he particu-
larly wants more men in that department.
THE EXPBEss.
Tho Southern Express Company. as usual
nt Christmas. have had TO rent an addi-
tional building to accommodate Their great
volume Of business. They are using now
the room formerly occupied by the Old
Dominion Specially Company, at No.
s26 east Nam street, opposite the com
pany's Office Mr. Gibson. thcagent thinks
the trade this year viii compare fayorably
with that of last year. when It was r.
markahlr heavy. Hc has number Of extra
men employed and many of the force work
the entire night The company has. TO
handle bueiue-s for thTty-s daily trans
incoming and outgoing.
On account Of the rush Of business there
is some delay in delivering packages III tho
city.
Sir. Gibson incidenOv remarked 70 the
reporter that his company Will soon nave
e. establish larger and moro comnodiou5
quarters ia this Gty. Ihe business J.. IN
creasiug very rapidly and ne thinks they
should have an office like thclr present
one for the money express and other light
business. and IN the rear have large ware
room for tho general business. Then the
expres4-Waeons can drive up TO the door
and unload 10 the rear OF the building and
not have 10 blockade the street IN front OF
the building, ~ ia at present necessary
"' ~" C' - - c-.....
The Baltimore ana ONO i4llres7 N1'lll l'u-
nv have aisot"it tne increase ID u" eN ieS9
busiuoss within the past "eeA' "iu "lo
pushed hard 90 Keep up tner business
WFsT3'orsLANn CLUBS fNrLHrAiNAESI'
Wesimoreland Club VIII have Their usuai
ChusjWas-eyc entertainment to-m@ht'
Tho members arc invited 10 call between
the hours of s and y o'clock.
TIE ORPHANS ANNUAL DINNER.
Tho annual dinner al the Maic Orphan
Aevium takes place December 9th at 3 i
". lhe Board o. Directors vii be present
end there VIII be interesting eheic'''' 3.
Mrs. ON asks for contributors Oh "I' y