Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-25
night BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
Holiday Shoppers Made Things Lively
in the Retail District.
Merchants Report One Of the Big
gest Days in the History Of Their
Business-Scenes and Incidents.
Entertainments Last Night.

The traditional Santa Claus, with
rudy, smiling countenance, and ven
cradle whiskers was the central figure
in the dreams of Young America last
night. How many stockings were out
of their usual place, it would be hard to
determine, but if the throng of holiday
buyers and the number and dimensions
OF the packages which they carried.
would be of assistance in solving the
problem, it may be safely stated that
there were few homes which the patron
saint of the little folks did not enter.
The past week has been a perplexing
season for the real Santa Claus. for the
annual message TO that ubiquitous indi-
VlduaI made manifold demands upon
the family purse and it was difficult
TO make selections which We're certain
TO please. The happy hearts OF the
young people, and the bright faces
winch Will bear mute evidence of CRATE
rul hearts, prove that Santa Claus is
the most popular, as we'll as the most
Christmas eve was an ideal day for
shopping, and thousands took advant-
age OF it. Merchants in some lines COM
pialned last week that the season was
SLOW, but the last two days more than
offset any dropping off in the sales for
the season, as compared with previous
years. The retail district presented
lively appearance from early morning
until nearly midnight. 1t was a red
letter day for many merchants. and not
a single complaint was heard by the
reporter who made a four of the BUSH
ness houses after the rush was over.
Last year Chrlsm3s purchases were
largely OF useful nature. but Ibis wear
novelties and odd concerts in jewe!ry,
ornaments, art work, and bric-a-brac.
found ready sale. This is REGARDED by
merchants as an indication that money
Is more plentiful
Every retail store on Main and Marx
ct, and interesting streets. from Te1fb
TO the Creek, was thronged with custo-
mers during the day, and in a score OF
instances the clerical force was found
to be insufficient.
The jewelry, confectionery and tov
stores, as matter OF course. captured
the bulk of the trade, but sales were
heavy in other lines. The florists were
literally cleaned out" the demand for
Christmas greens being almost unpre-
cedented
The Second ward market was the
Mecca Of the housewife during the af-
ternoOn and evening. but the groceries
secured fair share of the holiday trade.
There was n&troub,e in finding articles
for the menu for the Christmas dinner.
The hotels have fairly outdone them
selves III this respect. and many guests
have remained in anticipation of a feast
for the inner man.
That never falling business barome-
ter, the electric railway. had all the
business it could handle notwithstand
ing the quarantine on the Ohio towns.
Most of the down town cars were nlled
before they reached Twelfth street. and
at Sixteenth standing room was at a
premium. The passengers had their
arms filled with bundles. and the cars
probably carried as much money value
as in any single day in the history of
the road.
1le social SIDE Of the celebration Of
Christmas commenced last night, Balls
We're given N nearly all the halls IN the
city and many more VIII take place be-
fore New Years.
The Hearne Tabernacle, on South
South street, was scene Of merriment
uncOnfined between the hours of Z and
10 o'clock. 1t was the annual Christ
mas treat of the pupils of the Sunday
school, who were out N force, many Of
chem accompanied by their parents. \
large tree occupied the most ccasp.cu-
Gus place on The platform. and was dec
Grated in a very handsome manner,
with candies. fruits and presents. The
distribution took place under the direc-
tom of the Rev. B. c. Bar-'ebaugn.
About SIS worth Of hats and caps,