Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-31
ORPHANS SCARED.
..e BUILDING TAKES FIRE JUST AS
,se ANNUAL CELEBRATION BEGINS.
match Thrown on ths Canvas Produces
,Blaro asd Great Esci,emeat-
No serious Ielary.

Tt.., cane very near being terrible
.....,,aphe At the Male orphas Asylum
..fav afternoon. Only the most tho
.r.s soo.8ess and oomposure on the part
, tst.x q those present ayerted serious
-.-. , the bui.hng by Gre and the IN
...., passiblo death Of soma Of those In
.,semblagc.
...asion was the annual dinner aud
l.-...ess celebration of the orphan boys.
t.r- fxed Tor the exercises 10 open
-. clock, ana they began about thirty
.t,pol was throneed with one Of
-rest and most brilliant gatherings
enabled within It's walls. Among
nbers Of the board present we're
81. Parker, Messrs James Gordon,
o.. =. lets. Robert T.. richardson, Tho
60. rold. and u. q. Davis. 1
-r ihe wcllkuown guests we're
,.- tyson. Rev. Drs- BiedsOe. Cooper,
and IAadrum. Alderman Capers.
Thomas tunninGhan, Messrs. J.
~usht O.. Harvey Clarke, iiliAm
.-rr. j. NJ. Fossett. Mr. G. Werner,
... A Gentry. Mr.. Thomas G. Gun
Mr. Clarence q. Burton, Nand
the boys who have graduated and
-.,G1e Richmond were present.
rHE ExEEClsEs oPLs.
. rrraiue ode had been sung. Rev.
o. ..-- had prayed. Santa Claus had
.... th.anch with his address, the boys
.' ana the Lords Prayer was beiDg
when IN the attempt 10 ignite
r -Et the match was by accident
.. .- .re cotton drapery that formed
--.E-.s,ue- Ia "a second II was en-
..f ., tamcs that leapod 70 the cell
I---..fiv a panic eusued, as well u
r- .he r1om which was crowded.
-. q for the door. and some per-
. .. from the windows. Most Of
ru'e. however. remained calm, and
... gentlemen and larger boys az
-..t O. work 70 queu the fire and 20
.rirr Nr. y. q. Davis. Rev. DR..
.- Alderman Capers. Mr.. Herbert Dal-
Ma. NJ. Fossctt and in fact, all of
-...- and directors were very active
...- r9 rs. =
r.-,-rr. HEt-rsFD. AND TBAMPLED on.
Us ur-. there was the usual screaming
-.f.-sl ladies' came very near faIutinG.
were painfully bruised ana
...i uu. In very short time, how
.-. .. ere was put out and order re-
z, was then found ont that the
-~Irs injured. and they but slight
.-- Eer Dr. Kerr. Mr. Davis. and Mr.
f..-- Iue rear window looking out on
..-.. was wrecked aaC number OF
.-rap-d that way.
... Unfortunate accident had the eject
.. -.s s.u- up the exercises and most ot
... people took their leave.
...- uas matter OF the deepest regret,
r.... -.zramne was one Of the best ever
-... The attendance the largest and
. ..,t.u-uished.
uCl THEY FAD UINSEE-
''-s. Gll manifested a remarkable cool
-.- ana u her efforts 10 keep order vas
.. --.. uded by Dr. Parker, Messrs.
.r SOD. Todd. Elicit. Gordon, Mayor
Ar. Werner. Mr. William /.
-H. and Others.
s. s.au as possible after quiet was re-
- Mrs Gil formed the boys in line
... -a ay were marched down 90 dinner.
.. such q feast II was All enloyed
L-.ivas hugely, Notwithstanding the ex-
e'...u: through which they had passed.
r.is diu.Dg--O0m was visited by the
rl # Directors and the visitors and all
loud 10 their praises Of thegoOd order
f.e .Ncel.suce Of the dinner.
-,-r t1ls the annual dinner OF tho
,- and the invited guests took place.
.ts one OF the finest ever spread at the
.-.Uu1u. Alter dinner the boys and
. guests repaired 20 the chapel, which
ueeu put IN perfect order and the in
..-Ipted programme was fully carried ont.
MEDALS AND oIHZB FRIzEs.
g.. ilF. cooper. on tHN1iI OF h iFfeuA 10
,.. orphans. presented the gold medal for
.AeuCe of conduct 10 Gussle Schultz.
l. also presented books, on behalf OF
1'- ID. o. DAVIS, 10 Emmett Archer, Willie
-ey, and Eddie Hall.
..y Dr. LaudIam, on behalf or Nr.
f.. -as J. Todd. presented books to
re Crump. Frank Crostlc, and Arthur
stanley.
Nsyar Ellyson addressed the boys in his
.-.a. happy style. Both Of the speeches
..r. r.eEan; and appropriate.
tlr. James A. Gentry, on behalf OF DlTs.
..I presented Dr. Parker with a dressing
-Tr Ald Mr.. Robert +. Richardson with
.-.f handkerchief On behalf Of Rev. Dr.
-- who hAi ~ leave, he also pres nted
3, 90 Richard Tucker. Arthur Seatou,
..r George SOuthall, members OF the
h4tc-school class Of Mr. herr.
Alderman Cspers paid a beautiful tribute
tI.- G.lI. which was loudly appiauded.
n- Parker, on hIs own behalf, presented
... ,r,l with an elegant dressing-case.
tl- exercises closed with feTyent
PRAYER of thanksgiving by Rev. DR.. Ian
...u.
Despite the unfortunate FIRE the exer-
..- were fu.l Of interest and the evening
apply spent.
NUgEs AND INCIDENTS.
After the exercises were over number
.t quests aud graduates fingered and there
r.. music and pleasant conversation until
.'e nuur.
Il.u. the Ere ali the water gave out IN
... a.Lu. and this Il q great argument IA
t...r ., Their water supply. for which Mrs.
. .ls long been appealing.
t.e bows large and small, acted well
s.. were kept under perfect control, and
...- tle 1-ac3es and larger boys rendered
.l service.
By. James 4. Gentry had written very
t- .'F Christmas carol 10 be sung by the
tut this was dispensed with after
.l-a
l,e smallest boy in the asylum. Tommy
,I..-. Lai Little wagon given him by 1T
IIa Lyuham. Only two years old; tie
..l .u 81 % IN all the excitement, and that
e.. 0l. of the few gifts saved. as the
t.-. .-a- tree was entirely destroyed.
... damage l. very small and wall all be
-.rai to-day and the day will also DO
served 4s one of praise and thanks
-"-- fuT the narrow escape OF the instl-
artl