The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-25
A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Day Of Joyous Feasting and Ex-
changing of Gifts
POOR AND SICK REMEMBERED.
Santa Claus Brings Happiness to Every
Home-Presentations to Several
Public Onfcials.

mastide have triumphed over all attempts
on the part of the weather. Snow, rain
and frost all seemed TO have consp!red to
form strong contrast to the Christmas
merry-making which will prevail in every
house in the city today. The people have
risen to the occasion, and Christmas is
even more cherry and gay than usual. Not
only was Christmas eve celebrated az every
home in the city. but almost every asso-
citation in the city gave some sort OF an
entertainment in honor OF the day.
On no other day in the year are distances
eliminated to such an extent, and friends
in far distant parts Of the country brought
together by interchanges of presents and
kindly messages. The Northern Pacific
Express Company alone yesterday received
over ] GOO packages, ell Of which were de-
iivered before midnight. The Wells-Fargo
and Great Northern Express companies
were also overworked, and for days past
every train was overloaded with presents
directed to every city Of the United States.
In spite of the rain crowds OF shoppers
thronged the sidewalks yesterday after
noon and later in the evening. needless OF
the steady rain, the crowd was consider
ably increased. The average man, who
had put off purchasing his Christmas
seen rushing wildly about with his arms
full of packages and nesi.ating at every
corner, regardless of the drenching rain.
trying to recollect what ne had forgotten
and where he should so to get it.
The shopkeepers did their best to
brighten the dreary aspect of the streets
and the decorated windows and bright At
tractive interiors were in marked contrast
10 the rain and darkness without. Almost
without exception the stores had made
preparations for Christmas and the win
dows exhibited every variety of display.
at a little after O'Clock a crowd of
nearly 200 little boys and girls began
TO assemble in front Of the Seattle
Savings bank waiting to be presented with
deposit books. Before , O'Clock there was
happy, good-natured crowd of little ones
baDterlng one another and anxiousiy
rafting the door. When the door vas
finally opened the crowd surged in and
fairly mobbed those who were distribut-
ing application slips. The desks were soon
crowded with youthful iinanciers, gravely
filling out blank applications for deposit
books. which were forthwith presented to
them with cents deposited to their credit.
At the city Offices there were many
pleasant surprises yesterday afternoon.
Superintendent W. f. Wilson. of the city
water works, was presented by the en-
ployes OF the Office with handsome silver
tea and coffee set and saiver. The set con-
sisted of five pieces. with satin finish and
beautifully embossed, upon which was the
following inscription:
Presented To Superintendent and Mira w. T..
Wilson by the employees of tho Seattle Water
WORKS, Christmas. iS92
City Treasurer Adolph Krug was also
handsomely remembered in the form of a
handsomely embossed silver tea set of five
pieces. 1t was presented by the employees
of the Office, and bore the inscription:
christmas greetings, 1892. John ]. knott,
Max Muller, William II. Graft"
At the other offices, Superintendent of
Buildings j. G. Helm received box of
cigars. and City Comptroller J. NJ. Carson
presented each of his two assistants with
fine fat turkey.
II is among the poor. however. that
Christmas presents are most acceptable,
and the Bureau of Associated Charities
was engaged in sending out donations
which had been received during the past
week. The board OF friendly visitors had
made a careful list OF persons 10 whom
presents should be made, and Yesterday
members OF the board were superintend-
ing the delivery of numerous packages and
bundles. These donations compre-
hended almost every conceivable arti-
Gle OF use or comfort from
coffee pot 10 sewing machine, and from
a pair al shoes To a bed quilt. TOYS,
picture books, candies and canned fruits
ana vegetables were being put up III bun
dies and directed to the recipients. Among
ho r,1a in, ~,
chanical toys, dolls cradles, dolls. and a
thousand and one things which will be a
source OF wonder and amusement to the
little folks for many day. Some of the
articles were not quite so acceptable, such
as WORKOUT shoes, shabby clothes and
other articles which had 10 be deposited
in the ash barrel. The intention OF the
donors was doubtless good but the articles
were unfit 70 be used as presents
st. Marks and Trinity Episcopal and
the Plymouth Congregational churches
were handsomely and lastly decorated
Nreaths. festoons and banks of evergreen
ahounded and produced an effect peaceful
and refreshing 10 the eve with their depth
OF dark green coloring.
The Plymouth Congregational Sunday
School society yesterday remembered the
prisoners at the city Jail by sending TO
each inmate, with the execution of three
Cinnamon who cannot read English.
handsome Christmas cards ana scrlptural
readings appropriate to the occasion.
Without exception the prisoners expressed
their gratitude and Alicnzo neIicott. who
is imprisoned for insanity on 4 charge
preferred by his wife. wept ike child
and. returning the card 70 the taller. said:
flake ii 20 my poor wife" The prison
ers Will have a turkey dinner today.
Deputy Collector of Customs u. A. Nc
Kenzie was presented with beautiful
gold badge yesterday aS a Christmas gift
from the other employees of the custom
house. The badge is a five-pointed gold
star of the regulation size. On the face is
inscribed. ~. :. Customs" and on the
back, ID. \. Mckenzie, Christmas, 1892"
The presentation was great surprise 10
Mr. Mckenzie. for the inspectors had it
all arranged beforehand and straggled
into the office about O'clock. They were
all seated around conversinc. when Mai.
s r. Nettleton, special agent OF the treas
ury department. arose and said
presume. Mr.. Mckenzie, that you are fa.
Tnilisr with the saying tia. this world IS ful az
surprisesS aIn reminded that this IS true. be-
ing called upon ST this time BY INV co-woTSers
IN the department. of which you stand a. The
speech e. you on the eve OF the anniversary Of