The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-27
A RAINY CELEBRATION.
CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AMID
WATER, WIND AND MUD.

the Ardor Of Young America and the
City Resounded With the Noise o
Fireworks and the Glare of Bonfires
A Great Pyrotechnic Display By
Mayor McDonough.
Yesterdays celebration of Christmas wa
somewhat dampened by the miserabl,
weather, but nevertheless it was a merry
one.
IL seemed as II Old Probs gave himself
undue exertion 70 furnish the meanest con
ditions at his command, and he succeeded
remarkably we'll The rain, which started
Christmas night after 10 O'Clock, continued
during the entire day, accompanied by q
raw, biting wind, which made those not oil
the internal warming" character seek their
houses and hearthstones as soon as their
business on the streets was completed.
The bad weather, however, had no effect
on those who celebrate Christmas by drink.
ing everything in the Intoxicating line they
can find. the fun-loving negro race, or the
small boys, whose sole delight at this season
is in the noise occasioned by the explosion Of
fireworks and the blaze Of mammoth bon
hres, consuming barrels and boxes, which In
most instances have been surreptitiously Sc
cured for weeks ahead.
The saloons did a thriving business all
day and up to midnight Men trudged
around In the mud from one saloon to
another TO accept the Inequalities usually
extended by these places at Christmas time,
generally following up the free drinks with
! purchased ones of a similar or even stronger
character.
HOW THE NEGROES CELEBRATED.
The colored folks pasronized the corner
| groceries and the barrooms on the eastern
and western sides Of the city, filling their
ssomachs with the stuff peculiar to those
places, and afterwsrd went Keeling about
the streets regardless of the rain, blowing
tin horns. yelling, shooting flrecrackers and
enjoying themselves as only they are
allowed once a year. Occasionally they
turned the fun into fight. but. taken as a
whole, they kept we'll within the bounds of
the Law.
The boys paid little heed to the city ordi-
nance prohibiting the setting off of fireworks
north of Liberty street, and there was
almost rs much noise from this source In
that section as within the limits where the
boys are allowed to turn loose all sUrts OF
fireworks to their hearts content. The
police were not to blame for the violations,
though. as the youngsters watched their
opportunities while the blue-coats we're out
"
There will be many swelled heads among
the celebrators this morning, accompanied
with colds, which may carry some to the
grave as result of their disregard of health
In knocking around in the rain and mud to
celebrate Christmas In merry manner.
The ladies remained indoors mostly, but
the gentlemen resorted largely to the clubs
and hotels.
AT THE DE SOTO.
The De Soto proved to be a very popular
gathering place. Many toasts were drunk
and merry songs were sung and everybody
wished his nelzhbor Merry Christmas and
O Happy New Year.
The De Soto's handsome lunch which was
on exhibition during the day was much ad-
mired. The whole lunch was an artistic
creation of which MoAllister himself, that
prince OF gourmands, might have been
proud.
The center-pisce was large wild goose
with arched head and outstretched wings,
as IL just rising from the water.
Before being turned over to the cook the
goose had been skinned completely and after
being made ready for the table the skin was
replaced in life-like manner. An i'm
meuse salmon occupied the center of the
table with the goose, looking natural but
made entirely of salads. On each end of the
table were large pyramids Of jelly in which
Of various objects carved entirely
from yellow rurnips. Roast turkeys
whole roast pigs and fine hams, with smaller
dishes, filed up the remainder Of the table
The lunch was served from TO 10 o'clock
and was highly enjoyed by the patrons of
this house. The entire lunch was the work
Of the De Soto's chef, U. Nsssi
The two Harriss, Harry Bailey and Harry
Kennedy. the De soto's genial dispensers Of
liquid Refreshments, we're In their element
in serving the crowds that filed the place.
They received many compliments for their
skill and dexterity.
THE PROTECTING DISPLAY
It was at night that the town turned itself
loose. though. Every square was ablaze
with bonfires, and the bang aud sizz Of fire.
works was incessant. All the squares south
of Liberty street were lighted with bon
fires aud filed with boys doing their level
best to make as much racket as possible.
They were very successful in their efforts.
There were the usual number Of combats
between rival squares, with the usual
number of small casualties in the
way of burned fingers and
blackened eyebrows and few broken heads.
Nothing serious was reported from this
source, however.
Troup square, as usual, carried Off the
palm for the fireworks display. Mayor
McDonough Is the good genius of all the
| boys on this square, and his annual Xmas
donations Of fireworks is something that
makes the boys hearts glad. The fun began
early and lasted several hours. A ire
mendous bonfire lighted the square, and
over 100 boys exploded cannon crackers
and fired off candles and sky rockets to
their hearts content. 1t was regular
carnival of fireworks, and from a short dis.
lance 1t might have been mistaken for an
exhibition of the Fall of Pompeii
ALL THE BOYS FOR HIM.
The mayor is solid with the boys, and IL
it was left to them his majority next month
would be overwhelming. A number of
friends gathered at Mayor Nc
Donough's home on Price street
after the exhibition and drank
his health with their heartiest wishes for
his success In the present campaign. Polit-
zeal subjects were tebooed, however. and A
few hours given up to enjoyment.
AS long as Mayor McDonough had his
eye on them the boys in Troup square kept
to their bounds. but no sooner had he left
than the mtschieyous spirits began preps-
rattons for an attack upon their rivals Ia
Madison square, south of the De Soto.
There has been tremendous rivalry for
years between these two squares, and two
or three fights between the boys of each
square can be relied upon for every Christ
mas.
The smaller boys Of Madison SQUARE had