Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-18
CHRISTMAS IN JAIL.
HOW PRISONERS IN THE PENAL IN
sTITUTIoNS WILL CELEBRATE.
EXTRA MENUS WILL Be The RUL E
The EIeemOsynary Institutions VIII
Celebrate with Appropriate ENer-
cises. Which VIII he Capped with
Joyous Feasts.

Christmas. that Joyous day which is
looked forward to from year TO year with
go much pleasure by the children all over
the civilized world, is again approaching.
Another year has almost passed into
history. and once mors is the anniversary
cf the birth of Christ at hand.
Probably no day IN the S65 which go
90 constitute what we term a year is 50
much enjoyed by rich and poor alike as
Christmas, and the celebration of the day
IS not confined alone 10 those who re-
we're the name Of Christ aud who have
eudeavored as best they might 10 follow
the teachings OF the Son OF God. Among
the publicans and sinners the day is also
Observed as one worthy OF celebration,
and while it is not observed by them as
d religious anniversary. stu; for all that
9, is observed and is looked forward to
with the keenest anticipation.
Even behind the bars Of prisons, where
The fan Of one day and the dawn Of an
other makes but little difference 10 the
erstWile stolid inmates, save that IL
marks a period Of time which IN the
grand total helps TO diminish ana hnally
oollterate the term of months or years as
the case may be, during which they are
10 be immuned. Christmas is received with
raat rejoicing. TO the prisoners wilhn
The sombre walls of these places or pun
flment. IL means a day of rest and day
OK feasting. and 10 their darkened sad
oenod. and practically lovoless lives II
comes as a ray Of sunshine 10 shed bright
Less-transitory. tbs true-in their other
wise cherries existence. lis an oasis IN
The great desert OF time which they are
uaversing.
AT THE PENITENTIARY.
From time immemorial it has been the
custom in Virginia penal institutions TO
make some effort on Christmas TO brighten
even though in a small degree, the lives
OF the inmates whom adverse circum-
stances have caused 10 take up tnelr
abode within them, and so FAR az those
prisons located in Richmond are concern
60. this year will DE no exception.
40 the penitentiary, where task OF
labor Is allotted TO each prisoner each
C4y. the men will be given holiday on
Monday the 2Gth. and on Sunday-Christ-
Mas-Day-they viii be given cnanSe
from the usual diet, and at dinner their
ft0machs. 50 long accustomed 20 plain
bread and meat. Will be RECALLED WIN pork
I.c This dish. while IL would not De
e1nsdered delicacy on the many taples
lu This city, which viii doubtless groan
Under turkeys and cranberry sauce ana
other Ike dishes. is 10 the conyicts
feast IN Itself. and 20 the poor uniortu-
Mates. who for 364 days are fed on only
the plainest yiands. II will be veiltable
feast. such as IN their minds VIII outriVai
thc celebrated one AT which Belshazzar
IS reported 90 have sat.
PRISONERS IN THE JAIL.
The prisoners in the city jail VIII rare
equally as well as their striped brothers
On the "white-house hill," for they VIII
be served with roast pig, and II there IL
amy dish. save IL be chicken or 'possHm'
which will coD5ure up thoughts In
negroes brain. IL Is roast pork. And as
most Of the prisoners In the Hotel de
Epps are negroes, u Is forcgone con-
clusion that tho day will be enjoyed by
them. Sergeant Epps has ordered spe-
cial consignment Of young pigs for his
boarders," and he says he VIII serve the
dinner In style which Will equal That
displayed at the Jefferson.
SHERIFF. sOLoMON's GUESTS.
AZ the county jail. Simon Solomon, the
popular Sheriff, viii set feast for ME