The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-24


Ready For Christmas.
In spite of the gloomy weather and
the disagreeable slippery sidewalks,
the streets were thronged all day yes
terday with ladies making purchases,
men attending to the great rush OF bust
ness. children carrying bundles and
packages to the postoffice, the express
men delivering parcels, and everything
and everybody had an appearance that
impressed one with tho idea that some
important event was going to take
place.
Tomorrow is Xmas and it bids fair to
be one of the livliest over seen in Roa-
noke.
THE STREETS AND STORES.
The dea lers in holiday goods say
they have never before had such an
enormous trade. This is an evidence
that the time honored custom of giving
presents has lost none of it's former
prestige as the means of making this
day of days the happiest of the year.
There were to be seen On tho streets
yesterday loads of evergreens and
Christmas trees for the Sunday. school
entertainments, and many of the ladies
were busily engaged decorating the
churches.
THE EXPRESS OFFICE
was one Of the busiest places in the
city. 1t was crowded with mon. women
and children of all ages, sizes and col
ors, and all conditions of life to be
found in Roanoke, and all with pros
ents for friends and relatives, and &C.
casionally young man would drop in
with package, tho address of which
he did not want every one to see, and
blushed perceptibly when the bill clerk
called so loud that all could hear the
name and address Of the parcel.
Manager Buckner expressed himself
as being agreeably surprised at the
amount CT ira flic, and, notwithstanding
his approximations that business would
be poor as a result of the dull times for
the last three days, more matter has
been both received and sent than ever
before in the history of Roanoke. Yes
terday morning the whole end of the
express Office was filled with bundles
of every description, from turkey COB
bier to jug OF Paul Jones' corn
whiskey. Mr.. Buckner thinks he has the
most efficient corps of assistants in the
service.
L. c. Buckner, brother of Manager
Buckner, is cashier; p. p. Chapman bill
clerk and A. II. Williams money clerk.
Every department was rushed with
work and every man about the estab-
lishment had to hustle to receive and
deliver the unusually large amount of
freight But Mr.. Buckner has his
work so systematized and every man
knows his duty SO we'll that everything
went along like clock work.
j. G. Edwards has charge OF the de-
livery department, and although it
seemed impossible for the great heap. of
express to be moved in q day, by five
o'clock in the morning there was but
few bundles in tho office. On Tuesday
nights train there were three ear loads
OF express, and tho route agent on the
Norfolk and Western said the express
this season is the greatest the road has
ever carried. 1t is evident from these
facts that the people have united their
purse strings and in spite of the cry of
hard times are intent on having good
time and enjoying Christmas.
AT THE PosToFFIcE.
While great amount of holiday
goods have been sent by express, prob
ably the most valuable, consisting of
jewelry and other valuables, have found
their destiny through the mails. For
the last several days there has been an
enormity of matter handled in the post
office here, never before known IN it's
history. The past three days twenty
five extra size mail pouches have been
filled with packages besides the regular
mails. The business in the money
order and registry department as we'll
has surpassed all previous records.
Amid all the stir and hustle result
ing from this increased activity re-
markably good order prevailed through
out the day Bet few drunken men
were seen on the streets, and but few
arrests were made by the police.
THE SMALL BOY
is evidently right sin it," and has
already begun to set off fire crackers,
shoot snap pistols, and alarm the ma
tives" With his tin horn and drum.
The schools have all suspended and
will not open again until January 4.
Many of the teachers have left town
aud gone to their homes to spend
Christmas, but will return in time to
resume their work the FIRST Monday in
January.
THE ELKs CHRISTMAS TREE.
The Christmas tree of the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks, No. 1917, of
Roanoke. was partially trimmed last
night and will be completed in time for
a public exhibition at No. 2i4 Salem
avenue formerly Young's furniture
storey tonight. Messrs. E. R. Wood.
ward, exalted ruler; Harry Gensler.
secretary; Elias Mahoney, J. E. Null
caire, S. III. Vaughn and others of the