Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-25


We, the guests of the "Epps Hotel"
Hearing with grief you are unwell.
Convened this day public meeting.
And resolved to send TO you this greeting
Circumstances that we cant control
Compel us, Just like "Mohammed' or oIn'
Who was forced unto the mountain 10 go,
because In coming TO him II was slow,
And seeing to-day you are prevented
BY the worse complaint by fiend invented
OF coming TO US. as you do each year,
To speak kind words and bring good
cheer.
We come TO you i'm this "rhyming' letter,
And earnestly pray you may soon be oe'-
ter.
we would also convey our deep regard
For one who fills a position so hard.
Yet who earnestly strives to mitigate
The rigors inflicted by adverse fate;
We realize well were you so inclined,
Or were not possessed Of a.heart so kind,
That many hours would be passed in sad
ness
We now enjoy in comparative gladness.
So we hope dear Sergeant, at this festal
time,
You'l accept our greeting, expressed In
rhyme.
for years
To rule over this house Of "sighs and
tears"
Signed CITY JAIL PRISONERS.
DINNERS FOR THEIR WARDS.
Mrs. Gill has made extensive prepara-
tons TO give her boys an ample dinner.
and Santa Claus pa a visit to her we'll
ordered establishment last night. and
none of the boys were forgotten.
At the almshouse the poor will be
t,fts lob vrb will no
followed by an entertainment. and the
hospitals. which have one and all re-
ceived a host OF presents of different
kinds. viii be RECALLED sumptuously.
Special dinners will also be served at
ell the charitable Institutions.
PRISONERS GIVEN THEIR LIBERTY.
The spirit of the great festival is abroad
over all the city, and there is every
present indication that the day will be
celebrated more generally than ever.
Justice Crutchfield started the ball roll
ing in the Police Court yesterday morn
ing by saying: christmas is time of
JOY, and l believe we ought to do all we
can TO brighten the lives OF those about
us; and II has been my custom for years
10 give their freedom to as many of those
behind prison bars as can be safely
done"
Those to whom clemency is extended
are among the unfortunate persons whose
very constitutions seem to be respon-
sible for their little crimes None of
them have been guilty of greater crimes
than those which men and women wredk
against themselves. and nobody has
suffered for their crimes but themsel es..
The following is a list of those who were
released:
VIII tie Moses Bowler. John Harmon,
Joseph T. Jones. Thomas Kane. Charles
Rosser, Ed Salmon, Pat. Willis, Alonzo
Sinfre.
Colored-Lewis Archer, Moses Ander-
son. Robert Allen. John Cousins, King
Howard. Rosa Mayo. Lena May. Emma
Payne. Rennie Clark. Gertrude Quarles.
Edmonia Mathews, Phillip Johnson John
Warner, Halls Patrick.
TURKEYS AND CONTEMPORARIES.
The old custom of giving Christmas
boxes" seems TO grow in favor with each
succeeding year. The name. as well as
the custom. is a survival of the ancient
method of collecting aims for distribu-
ton among the poor. by placing a huge
box at the entrance to the churches. into
which the faithful as they pass dropped
their offerings. to alleviate the cares and
poverty of the poor. The custom has
now become very general, particularly
in the South and the merchants and en-
ployers of labor generally. not only pay
their hands off before Christmas. but
some Of. them give ia each employee
useful gift. This custom has been OBJ
served for years past by the Allen &
Ginter Branch OF the American Tobacco
Company. and yesterday was no excep-
ton to the rule. At the Kinney Branch
OF the company the 200 employees were
assembled shortly after II o'clock yes
terday and addressed by Manager w. j..
Walker. who wished them the compli-
ments of the season, in the name Of the
company. and in so doing made a plea
SAINT. fve-minute speech.
When the manager had concluded his
remarks the hands formed a line TO the
cashiers desk and each one received his
money. and in addition thereto check
with number on it, Then the fun be
gan. There was a rush for the room
in which the toothsOme turkeys were
placed i'm a long line, their necks all
pointing one way. and upon each a card
bearing the words compliments of the
season" and number. The men and
women gathered eagerly around the fine
birds. looking for numbers to correspond
with checks they held. and there were
numberless ordinations and expressions
OF appreciation of the kindness of their
employers.
At the Allen & Gnter Branch. on the
corner Of Cary and Seventh streets. each
employee was presented with a four
pound box of choicest candy.
The c. f. Sauer Company entertained
all their work-people to a sumptuous
spread. The menu consisted of five
courses, and was splendidly served in the
factory of the company.
SOME TOKENS OF REGARD.
The clerks connected with the freight
accounting department of the Chesapeake
and Ohio railway yesterday presented
their chief clerk, Mr.. o. ID. James. with
a magnificent carving set in apprecia-
ton Of the high esteem in which he is
held by them.
At the Whitlock Branch of the Ameri-
can Tobacco Company. Mr.. John NJ.
Fasset. foreman of the packing-room, was
presented with a handsome diamond
initial ring.
The employees of the Machine Works
presented their employer Nike w. Cof-
fee. with a handsome ebony god-headed
cane. beautifully carved.
The janitors and elevator-men at the
City Hall presented Superintendent A. c.
Calder with handsome umbrella
Mr. J. Wilson. assistant Superintendent
OF the Richmond Traction Company was
presented by the employees Of that line
with a handsome chain and charm.
THE sHRINERs' DISTRIBUTION.
The mobiles Of Acca Temple Mystic
Shriners. always mindful Of the suffer-
ings and needs Of others. and ready TO
render assistance to needy brethren. or
sisters either for that matter. assembled
at the Masonic Temple yesterday morn
ing. and distributed 200 baskets, all WELL