Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-24
GENEROUS MYSTIC SHRlNERS
Bountiful Baskets Given to the Poor by
Almas Temple Mobiles.
Touching Scenes at the National
Rifles Armory, Where the Disirf-
button Is In Progress.

The National Rifles armory on G street
between 9th and 10th presented touching
pictures this afternoon and until & O'Clock
the panorama of Christmas scenes in
which the poor and those who relieve their
necessities will be the chief figures, will
continue to move in and out of the building
Every year the mobiles of Almas Temple
OF the Ancient Arabic Order, Mobiles of
the Mystic Shrine make Christmas offer
iLg to charity. This year their generosity
took the same substantial shape as in
former holidays A few days ago a large
number Of cards Nere issued to the lieu
tenants OF police, the Central Union Mis-
sion, numerous ministers and charitably
inclined persons to be distributed among
the needy regardless of race. color OF re-
ngion. The cards were of pink and bore
this notice: Present this card in person
| at National Rifles Armory on Friday. De-
cember "a, 1897, between the hours of .
and pm, and you will receive a basket
as Christmas Offering"
The signatures of Potentate Harry STAN
afford, Chief Rabban Jesse F. Grant As
sistant Rabban Robert Cook and Recorder
George H. Walker underlined these words
Early this morning the officers above
and prophet: Geo. II. Walker, recorder; f.
II. Chamberlin, treasurer; +. X. Ray
mond. oriental guide: w. Andrew Boyd,
first circle master; Jacobus S. Jones, second
d III.
E. j. Gray. director; F. w. Behrens, as
sistant director; w. F. Guide, captain of
guard: c. H. Allender and f. W. Hesse, al
chemists: T. b. Walker, Captain of Arab pa
troll; Mobiles G. c. Gibson, c. c. Duncanson s
II: walker, Geo. Spransy, Paul Pearson A
W. Johnson A I. Cunan, H. c. Easterday
u. A Whitaker and other mobiles gathered
at the armory and proceeded TO fill the
brand new baskets with the articles for the
poor to enjoy for their Christmas dinners
Great piles of beef, in pieces weighing five
or six pounds each, and scores of inviting
turkeys, fanked big line of potatoes, and
tables containing piles of groceries. In
| each basket was placed a turkey or a piece
half-pound sack of flour, a pound of excel
lent coffee (ground. two quarts of hon.
my, one quart of beans, two pounds of
graduated sugar and some apples and
onions.
When the baskets were filled the imme nse
apartment looked like q market. About
one hundred and fifty baskets We're sent to
needy persons, unable to come in person to
get them, and over two hundred more were
left to be distributed at the hall. The ad-
vance guard of the ticket holders came
early. 1t was composed of all colors and
both sexes, but its condition was the same
and in every face, aureoled though 1t was
by the joy at getting such a precious gift,
were marks of want and evidences OF the
hunger their owners were so familiar with
The Shriners were heartily blessed for
their good hearts by those they succored
and they attended to the wants of the WIS.,
itors, and helped them away with their
baskets with as much soficltude and gen.
tleness as IL the poor creatures were the
best in the land.