The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-15
CHRTsTMAS ~ THEIR BONES.
The Approaching Holiday season brinss
Activity In Business and Social Life.


IYNCHBTRG. VA, Dec. 1i.-Special.-
The Lynchburgers seem TO be getting
Christmas into their bones already ana
the streets wear busy and cheerful air.
The merchants are displaying tempting
wares and advertising the most desirapie
commodities at what they declare are
most remarkably low prices. quantities
OF tobacco are coming In and as IL Is SAID
the weed is selling well the country pco-
ple are eager 10 dispose Of the crop
The warehouse men are busy uh,h a
late hour al night receiving the loads
brought them i'm every sort Of vehicls
from a four horse wagon TO rough cart
drawn by a dismal little OK or mule.
The expression OF some Of the forlorn
little beasts seems 10 indicate that they
would like their owners To raise some
hing they could eat or al least give them
an interest i'm the sale Of the tobacco.
II is a queer scene around a warehouse
about 10 O'Clock al night. the oddly-dress-
ed farmers unpacking their loads by the
light Of pine knots they have brought
from home for the purpose. They seem
quite Obvious of the beautiful electric
Ught. with its htful shadows as OF
the other sights and sounds OF the city
The dry goods merchants seem TO be
doing a rushing business and some of the
clothing dealers say their trade has never
been as good as i'm the present season
An the wholesale merchants are busy
supplying their customers from dis
lance particularly the grocers and II IS
reported that two or three new concerns
will open after the holidays.
\ comfortable cottage has Just been
completed in the city park which adds
greatly TO the appearance OF that resort.
\ porch runs all around the building.
which is especially intended for the bene-
fit Of the numerous picnic parties seek
ing rest and change In the beautiful
grove when summer heats make city
folks long for rural shades
The health OF the city Is very good
indeed and no doubt the exclusion Of
pigs as citizens. the great improvement
Of the streets I'm recent years the parks.
electric cars. etc. have much to do with
this result. II is notable that in the
mortuarv renorts. the number OF deaths
&c usually twice as great for the colored
people as for the whites. As tho colored
nopulation IS considerably less now than
when 50 many tobacco factories were
working. this proportion Is very large. II
is fact also that the deaths among
the negroes are much more numerous
among the young women and children.
than with any other class In few years
this must make important changes In the
statistics 81 the race. The mortality Is
undoubtedly due 10 the unhygienlc condi
tions in which the lowest class OF negroes
live.
Mr.. T. y. Davis. president ~ the city
Councii has repeatedly called attention 20
the need Of a reformatory and Industrial
school for negro girls.
advantages as a location for such an in
ett,u,ior IT'S central position and health
fitness make u particularly desirable.
Entertainments and amusements seem
"a 10 offered the citizens in abundance
these days.
Tust now the town Is gone wild over the
fsats n, the hypnotists and schemes for
making neople enjoy themselves and
coavI,g money out OF their pockets are
constantly unfolded.
r. those who value mental improve
mont Rivermont College Is Offering n fine
onnortunitv i'm IT'S course OF free lectures
oiyon fortnightly. Many OF the towns
people attend and appreciate them.
one Of the most agreeable OF the pri-
vate entertainments OF the season was
tho virginia tea party" given to the
members OF the grown folks history class
a few davs ago by Mrs. John II. Lewis.
sister OF c. Dabney Langhorne. OF Rich
mond feature OF the occasion was
the library table laden with histories OF
Virginia and works by Virginia authors.
Among the historical works were the re-
douhtable Captain John Smiths account
~ his adventures In Virginia and Stith's
1Iistorv both very old editions. Stith's
ancient volume very quaint in both its
written and printed style. was dated VIII
Harrisburg. 1898.
MANY clever and cultivated virginians
were present and handled the records Of
their fathers with curious interest. Pro-
lessor Page told some amusing stories.