Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-25
UNIVERSAL JOY AT HOMESTEAD.
A Little Fortune Distributed in Cloth ng
Candy and Books.


HOMESTEAD, Dec. 24-The Relief Commit.
tee at this place finished up it's business this
evening. Since o'clock this morning they
have been at work distributing the Christ
mas treat which the great firm OF Kauf-
manns' had sent up from Pfttsburg for the
children of the locked-out men.
Early this morning the wivesaHd children
OF each family we're on hand. Tho fact that
kaufmanns' had Christmas gift for every
child was not long kept secret, and the lii
tie building on Fifth avenue, known as the
"CommiSsary," and from which all supplies
for the Homestead families are given ont.
was crowded all day long. The heads of
families were not generally represented
their wives and children usually appearing
and obtaining whatever was needed.
The most touching sight of all to-day was
the appearance OF O little fellow from the
hills above Munhall station. His brothers
had been out OF work since the memorable
strike of last spring, and his appearance
was extremely ludlcrous; his cloths hung in
tatters and his hair stuck straight up
through the top of his very ragged cap;
without hesitation, however, he marched
along manfully by his mothers side, and,
alter receiving a package of candy and
q fne picture book, was taken
back and provided with a complete
new suit of clothes and warm plush cap,
all of which were from the original consigii.
ments of Kaufinanns'. The last seen OF this
unique specimen was flash OF black flying
up Fifth avenue toward the Homestead
depot and cheering for Kaufmanns' with all
his might and main.
The amount of candy and books dfstrib-
uted to-day was remarkable. 1t took two
men going as busy as bees from o'clock
this morning until tonight to supply the
steady influx which greeted this generous
Christmas greeting OF Kaufmanns'; and is Is
sure thing that tonight every boy among
the Homestead strikers is busy blessing the
enterprising firm who bave caused such
gladness and rejoicing.
1t was sight to move the most indiffer-
ent to compassion-the sight of little chill.
dT.n1 md rF Fnrr al 1rNeEN
skeptics in regard to Santa Claus whose won-
derful presence they never expected to hear
of, and then, ut the last moment when he
bobbed mp serenelv, at the instigation Of
kaufmanns', there wus joy unconfined
Taking into consideration the cloaks,
wraps and shoes which Kaufmanns' sent up
last week, and which amounted to at least
$640, it will De seen that with the candy and
books distributed to-day, this great Pitts
burg house has given at the very smallest
calculation s., 900 worth OF goods.
The above contributions nave excited gem
eral comment and is tonight the talk OF
Homestead. 2. G. Wagner, Assistant Secre.
tary of the Relief Committee, in speaking of
the matter to-day said: "1t is wonderful the
amount of good that has been done by these
contributions; particularly the Kaufman
donations, which, coming at the most oppor-
tune moment, have reached the most needy
cases and have thus been the source OF
special communication"
Secretary Hatfield, who distributed the
supplies personally, and who knows more
ABOUT the INSIDE or the S1Cuut1On than any
man in Homestead, said this afternoon:
"This candy and these books have been the
cause OF more genuine rejoicing than any
thing we have handed out to-day. 1t was
the right thing at the right time, and many
n Homestead hreside will be happy tonight
which but for the generosity OF Kaufmanns'
would have been the abode OF gloom and
While walking along the streets of Home |
stead the writer encountered several parties |
Of women and children. each weighted |
down with pa ckages and bundles of books |
and candy. They seemed much frightened |
np and talked very hopefully of the future. |
be to Kaufmanns' we are enabled |
10 give our children n happy time on |
said ono. "My poor little boys |
nave had no candy for many a long day and
they never expected it, SO this treat comes
Is Godsend TO them"
1t will thus be observed that Christmas
Day in Homestead will not he such mock |
ceremony as it would have been il liberal
lrms like Kaufmanns' had not responded |
As it is the expectation of q
joyous holiday is fully real
Z0d.