The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-26
OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS
HOx The Happy season Was Celebrated
in Richmond.
TIE POOR AND NEEDY PROVIDED FOR
Busine.s Generally suspended and All TN
Pleasure Bont-seryices in Bat Few
Churches Dinners for the Prisoners
Arreat for the old soldiers

may be To those VINO observer mo ""I
quietly and properly none but happy re-
collections remain. memories OF a oay
spcnt boz the bosoIns OF thciT iaml"es .,
surrounded by their friends. visions Oh
a bountcous repast float through 'heH
,,inde and there Is no rcmorse :or any
rnlsGccd.
Tl.c unpleasant memories arc the por-
ton OF those who looked TOO often upon
the wine while IL was red. ana me oss-
uog while ~ Was white. they WA DC en-
gagged TODAY m rcpsnting or their SINS
Of commission and In arranging TO turn
over now leaves for the coming year.
WAS LIKE SUNDAY
Yesterday might well nave Deeh ms
taken Tor Sunday except lot lhe 'hces
SAINT reports OF ire crackers which filled
fhc air. The majority OF the stores were
closed. ana but little business was done
by those that remained open, FOR the
buyers had invested an their money on
Christmas eve and were engaged IN en-
Joynr ihc supplies they had secured.
Yesterday was probably as quiet
Christmas as the people OF kchmond
have ever enjoyed. There was. Of course
a good deal of drinking. but there was
little dis0Tderly conduct. The ponce
were as leniout as possible ana the num-
Der Of arrests Was not large
The majority OF tho Christmas ser
vices In the various churches Will be held
to-day. when musical programmes. as
heretofore printed in The Times, viii be
rendered. Some Of the churches held
their Christmas services yesterday, which
were largely attended, notably the eXer-
cises at ST. Peters Cathedral.
As is usual on this festive season. spe-
cial preparations were made at all of the
hotels 10 set before their guests elaborate
dinners. The menus yesterday consisted
Of all the delicacics Of the season, de-
iishtfully cooked and served.
MANY GIFTS.
Gift-eivIng was probably more univer-
sally praoticed yesterday than ever be-
fore. and there were bat few who failed
to receive "a token Of more OF less value
from their friends
Yesterday morning was the time Of all
others when the children were happiest.
All over the city The peep Of day FOUND
them out of bed eagerly exploring the
contents Of well-hned stockings and
bringing 20 light packs Of Iop crackers.
Roman candles. dolls, horns candy and
everything calculated TO delight the
youthful heart
The poor Jared sumptuousiy yesterday
In many instances for the Ladies city
Mission and Citizens Relief Association
had given their attention 20 every case
of which they received notice, fuel and
provisions being freely distributed among
them.
One home which was made happy by
the lborality Of generous citizens. was
that of a poor family living al PODS Park
avenue A citizen who lives not very far
from that place was informed that
family consisting of a mother and three
year-old child were without food or fuel
and almost destitute OF clothes.
I'm short while be had taken MP a col
lection OF $40 with which he bought
plentiful supply of food. The mother
Is anxious and willing 20 work TO sup
port her family. but has been prevented
heretofore by lack of clothing
A RED DIETER DAYl.
Tho prisoners in the pcnitcniiary found
yesterday Tcd-letter day. No work was
done in the shoe shop. but they were
permitted 10 Lct as much enjoyment as
could be found behind granite
wall. ana bars OF steel. For din
ner tlcy were given "a Ulenu-
fpl SUPPLY o. pork pie. with access
sories-a dclcacv which is said 20 be
more highly appreciated at the peniten-
tiarv than any other
The inmates OF the nv JAIL who were
not so fortunate as 10 receive their
freedom AZ tho hands Of Justice Crutch-
field. had n made MP 20 them 10y city
Sergoont Epps in tho shave Of an excel
lent breakfast and dinner
Yesterday was day % happiness at
the Almshouse and 30 good things 20 eat
can make people forget the woes of life.
then the inmates were free from care. for
Superintendent George b. Davis. VINO
ever has the comfort and happiness Of
fhoee under his care at heart set before
them n fc1st ff Tor "a king.
The veterans defenders Of the South. who
are spending tho sunset OF life in peace
and quiet 40 Lee Camp Soldiers Home.
were treated 20 n most excellent and
abundant dinner yesterday by Comman-
dant Bigger
TIE MESSENGER BOYS.
The annual subscription taken up yes
tcrday for the benefit Of the Western
Union messenger boys. who so faithfully
serve the public, assumed much larger
proportions tnan usual and was welcome
20 the little niehthawks.
The CITY Hail. usually such a hive OF
industry. was Yesterday deserted by ALL
Did I say all7 Yes. all but one for
chief of the Hail Force Henry Adams
kept his lonely vigil during the day and
Major y. A. Griffin watched through the
night The courts and municipal offices
were an closed. and the officials for one
day IN the year had complete rest.
Yesterday was a day Of entertainments
and social pa~tics. both at private homes
and AZ tho clubs-the Wcstmoreland.
Corar Cnwcalth and Albemaric keeping
open house
THE SOITY MAYOR.
A. has been his custom for years past.
MnNcr Richard NJ. Taylor Yesterday eX-
tended opcn-handod hospitality To his
friends and all We're welcome 20 his hand
some rcsidcncs No. So west Grace street.
Tho genial Mayor was kept busy all
day receiving his friends whose name is
legion. each one being greeted in that
hearty manner which has rendered the
Mayor so popular.
The members OF the Ladies' Auxiliary
OF Lee Camp contributed their share to-
wards the pleasures and needs Of the de-
serving poor during the Christmas holi-
DAYS ON Thursday they distributed
forty-eight baskets filled with groceries
and other provisions among the families
Of INDECENT Confederate veterans
The members OF the two communicates
KniEhts Templar. met az the Masonic
Temple az noon yesterday. as IS their
custom on Christmas day 20 pay their
respects % the Grand Master OF the
Grand Encampment. Warren Ia Rue
Thomas. OF Louisville Ky. by sending
him an official tclcgram expressing the
best wishes Tor the day.