Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-25
THE POOR REMEMBERED.
Baskets Stuffed With Good ThInEs-seven
Hundred Christmas Sacks Dlstribured-

Baskets Stuffed With Good ThIngu-Seven
Hundred Christmas Sacks Dlstributed-
Plenty at the JaiIs.
The person who walked into the long base
ment Office of the Association for the Improve
ment of the Poor, at No. rs Fourth avenue,
could not fail to see that Christmas was near at
hand. Along the wall on the left there lisa
plain bench. 1t has been occupied for the past
two days; occupied by poorly-clad people with
sad faces. Even the boys and girls wore sad
expressions. There were more children than
grown people, for the fathers or mothers in the
families aided by the association are generally
either sick, old or injured, and must send their
children for the benefces Of those who remem-
Der the Door. The OCCUPANTS Of that bench
constantly were changing. As the one at the
further end from the door arose and went to
the counter, newcomer wandered down the
steps and tremplingly slipped into place at
the end Of the line. Everyone carried basket,
empty on entering, overstuffed on leaving.
Behind the counter there were women with
kindly faces bustling here and there. poking
into boxes and diving into barrels. The poor
set their baskets on the counter and they were
flled. Smiles fitted over the pale faces, but
the smiles were sad ones. The lady behind the
counter was not near enough to the applicant to
hear the heart-thumps when the basket was
heaped up with good things.
Over two weeks ago the association sent 700
Christmas sacks to merchants and people
known for their charity. These sacks bore
verses from the Bible. BLESSED is he that con-
sidereth the DOOR" and I'VE should remember
the poor" There was printed on each sack an
shoes to either Of the four offices of the asso-
citation, from December Is to "a. The responses
have been generous. In many cases the sacks
were filled with provisions. Sometimes the
Laid roosn fs,fs 1..v,%
a barrel of groceries or large box of pro-
visions or clothing. In other instances money
was sent, which was expended by the Associa-
tion in the purchase of Christmas bounties.
There were many gifts outside of those sent
with the sacks. A class in the Point Breeze
Presbyterian Church, of which Miss Martha
Wilson is teacher, sent big box and 81 stock
ings filled with candy. The East Liberty Pres
byterian Church sent three baskets full of
sweetmeats-stuffed stockings. Charles ].
Clarke contributed 500 worth of toys. A girl
of IA sent six boxes of dolls and candy, and six
glasses Of jelly, all the products of her own
work.
Those who received donations presented
themselves at the various Offices with notes
signed by the visitors for the Association. The
work of distribution was concluded at O'Clock
last evening. The offices will be closed to-day,
but tomorrow will be open for the distribution
Of good things sent in by the Shadyside Pres
byterian Church, the Fourth Avenue Baptist
Church and other congregations
At the Temporary Home for Children, on
Washington street. there Will be a Christmas
tree and dinner for the IL little ones now kept
there During this afternoon the representa-
tives Of Gusky's are expected with presents Of
toys.
The City Department of Charities yesterday
sent $50 pounds of turkey, three barrels of
cranberries. four barrels of apples eight boxes
of oranges and large lot of candy to the City
Poor Farm, for the $50 inmates there No
special distributions will be made to the 1000
residents of the city who are more or less de-
pendent uDon aid from the Department but the
poor who ask for help will receive more ienient
inquiry than is the rule. Among the gifts re-
ceived at the Department Office yesterday, was
a box containing Il dolls, elegantly dressed, to
be distributed to the children of Door families
The maker and donor is daughter Of Mrs.
Emma ]. House.
The inmates of the county jail viii be given
something unusual in the dinner line. The
friends of the prisoners have been very boun-
tiful in the eatables and presents sent to the
Jail. Yesterday baskets and bundles were re-
ceived from A. NJ. until noon. and the same
hours will be observed to-day. The donations
of yesterday were the largest ever received on
a similar occasion at the Jail There are I80 in
mates in the stone castle to-day
The 95 patients OF the Homeopathic Hos
pital, on Second avenue, were well remembered.
Last evening Christmas tree was set up IN
the chapel 1t was covered with candles and
pretty things. About 40 of the patients were
able to go down stairs and enjoy the sight An
appropriate address was made to them by Rev.
w. R. Mackay Dainty gifts were then made
to each of the patients. At about 1870 o'clock
to-day Gusky's agent VIII visit the hospital and
give presents TO the dozen children.
The branch of the w. c. I. U. known as the
Swift Union held a levee at the Holly Tree Inn,
in Allegheny, yesterday, and distributed more
than 100 dinners to the decerving poor of that
city The dinners were yet in the raw state,
and consisted of a turkey, cranberries, celery 4
and the other accessories that go to make up
Christmas feast. all neatly packed in paper
sacks.