The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-25
DOINGS Of THE DAY
Elaborate Dinner to NewsboyS
and BootbIackS.
PRISONERS ARE IN IT
Charity Dispensed With a Lib
eraI Hand in the City.

Thanksgiving Day in the city was
quiet one on the streets.
Amusements indoors and out attracted
the people. and thoroughfares were de-
serted during The intervening hours.
There was little or no driving done ow-
ing to the condition of the roadways and
streets. Overhead The atmosphere was
superb and invigorating. There was just
enough snow on the ground to remind one
Of the winter season.
Early in the day the newsboys and boot
blacks were IN evidence. grouped in small
squads in the vicinity of Main and Doug
las. none Of them venturing more than
half block from the headquarters Of their
friend and benefactor, Thomas Shaw, the
music dealer. VINO has for eight years
past given TO the boys a Thanksgiving
dinner at some well known hosiery in the
city. This year they were informed that
the event in their lives during the year
would be given in hotel Notices were
printed in the papers inviting all the
newsb0ys and boOtblacks. who had ever
sold a paper or BACKED a boot TO congre-
gate at Thomas Shaw's music store at l
o'clock.
They were there hours before the time
set, and after passing inspection and ex-
animation as 10 their credentials, an Off
cial badge was furnished on the lapel Of
their jackets and on it was the words
Thomas Shaw's Eigth Annual Thanks
giving Dinner to the Ncwsboys and Boot
blacks Of Wichita, November a, 1885"
At the regularly appointed hour the boys
re-assembIed. \ band Of music was in
evidence and the order TO fall in was
given. Parade was made, ending at the
Topeka Avenue hotel where the boys
were seated at the tables in the dining
room. The opening exercise was an adj
dress made by DR. Slutz of the First
Methodist church. He talked to the boys
on many subjects that should remain
steadfast in their memory as advice given
on an appropriate occasion that viii be
lasting in their thoughts as one OF the
good times in The days of their youth.
The boys cheeredAand clapped their hands
gleefully. Then the walters came in bur
dened with all the good things usually
served for a holiday dinner. There was
cighty-four boys sitting down TO the re-
past. Music was playing all the time, and
the sight was ? picture that could not
help but to make the donor feel doubly
rewarded for his act Of benevolence.
At the time this occasion was going on
the Salvation Army of the city was feed
ing over 100 more little tots at their bar
racks and in a vacant store room on
North Main. At the Sedgwick Jail thirty
two prisoners were being served with
1r11ao nd 4
ing. potatoes, bread and coffee and nome
made pumpkin pie. The dinner was
wholly prepared by Mrs. Simmons, the
wife of the sheriff, and was served by
the sheriff and his force. Mrs. Simmons
had let her girl so home TO spend Thanks
giving and had engaged other help to as
sist in the preparation Of the bounteous
meal The help did not materialize and
the entire week deVolved upon Mrs.
simmons. the roasting of dozen turkeys
and baking Of twenty pies was a feature
by itself. besides al the many other
dishes prepared. All that was missing
was champagne and cigars TO have made
tae menu a banquet. The prisoners were
served with hot coffee instead. and all
seemed To relish the meal immensely.
They spoke very highly of their good
treatment al the Jail and said the dinner
was A hummer. The city prisoners were
likewise served with turkey dinner sent
them from the City hotel.
At the Orphan Home there was deliv-
cred Il single and double team wagon
loaded with turkeys. chickens. potatoes
and canned goods. fruits of all kinds do
mated by the school children of the city.
The places of amusement were packed
with theatre eoers during matinee and
evening performances. Home dinner par
ties and social affairs were numerous
throughout the city, in addition to sew
eraI weddings during the afternoon and
evening.