Evening star., 1898-12-24


attracting those of the Catholic faith. while
st. Johns, 18th and H streets; Christ, navy
yard: Ascension. H between 9th and 10th
streets. and Epiphany, near 18th. street,
the Episcopalians.
In the Methodist churches-Foundry, 14th
and G streets; Ebenezer. 4th near G street
southeast: Wesley, 5th and F streets, and
in the two then new churches, Ryland,
10th and d streets southwest, and Nc
kendree, Massachusetts avenue between
9th and 10th streets-the Christmas morn
ing prayer meeting was a feature. The
members of some of the latter had a GUS
tom which would be odd these days-that
of leaving their homes early as o'clock
and serenading their brethren by singing
hymns, and, after partaking of the good
cheer, with augmented numbers going to
the prayer meeting. While the elders were
thus inclined. the young worldly portion,
in many instances, had spent most of
Christmas eve night in dance or frolic at a
party and oft times were filled with good
spirits.
For Christmas comes but once year.
And when it comes it brings good cheer"
There was then little account paid to ac-
quaintanceship. Every one seemed to vie
with his neghbors in dispensing Christmas
cheer to all, and this cheer in many in
stances included almost every description
of decoction of various strengths, eggnogg
and apple tOddy being regarded as the in
dispensable accompaniment of the Christ
mas cake. Indeed, the large majority of
the people. though strictly temperate the
science in becoming merry at Christmas
time.
AS may be supposed from the excitement
created by kriss Kringle among the children
and the partaking of refreshment fluid and
solid, the Christmas morning breakfast was
often forgotten. The dinner table was the
meeting place for the family. and the rule
was to have, if possible. every member
present to partake of the turkey, plum pud-
ding and the home made mince pie. And,
though these might be wanting in some in
stances, yet happy were those who could
say as they commenced the meal, I'VE are
all here"
Fairs and Festivals.
Those were the days for church fairs and
festivals, and these were looked for as indis-
pensable adjuncts to the celebration. Ca
rusi's saloon, now Kernans Theater; Apol-
10 Hall, south side of E street west of 18th
street. and the Perseverance engine house,
Pennsylvania avenue and Sth street, were
the customary places for these events. An
nually the Female Union Benevolent Socie
ty, then the leading charitable organization,
held a fair at Apollo Hall or Carusi's and
1t was regarded as the great competitor in
the toy and fancy goods business of the
few dealers in that line. Now and then
would there be at the churches a grand
sacred concert in addition to the Sunday
school entertainments. Willard Hall, on +
street then the + Street 60. s. Presbyter-
ian Church, was the scene of such a con-
cert Christmas evening, 1943.
The manner in which the elder people of
the community observed the day was often
affected by circumstances, though, as
rule. they were prone to keep any troubles
they had to themselves, SO that the
joyment of the younger ones should not
be marred. Thus, in 1S45, there was quite
scare from the smallpox, which was
raging in a number of cities, and an i'm
pOrtant trial of a clerk at the Capitol eX-
tending in the holidays engrossed public
attention. The following year the trial of
the Connor-Van Ness case to prove mar
riage ana assert claim to property and the
prospect of a duel between two members
of Congress. affected the older people.
Probably the most gloomy outlook was
in 1850, when the younger people, oblivious
to all save enjoyment, the older ones were
concerned as to the country's danger, for
on Christmas eve the congressional dele
cation from South Carolina withdrew and
gave the community a Christmas gift
decided sensation.
The Washington temperance movement.
early in the forties had given an impetus
to the cause, and several societies were
booming. There was, however, cOnsidera-
BILE drinking indulged in, but there was SO
little disorder that an average of but two
prisoners nightly for ten days covering
the holidays of 1913, was reported, and
this, too when the colored race made up
considerable portion of the population.
1t would be interesting to know II We have
ever had so creditable record since.
Efforts to Suppress.
At times efforts We're made to suppress
the setting off of fireworks and crackers
and the shooting Of firearms, the mayor
frequently issuing proclamations warning
the public, but this was with Indifferent
success. Though at times the boys made
a regular fusillade from Christmas eve
through the holidays, there We're compare
lively few fires, and there were some years
srhan ba ODeneU
save to add to the general noise by ring
ing the bells.
There were some occasions for excitement
from fire and other causes, and 1t did not
take much to raise a rumDus. Christmas
eve of 1914 a robbery of u few dollars In
a 7th street store occurred. 1t was Suffl-
cient to raise talk such as nothing less
than the robbery of thousands would now
cause The following day, however, two
adjoining frame buildings containing con-
fectionery stores on Pennsylvania avenue
between 9th and 10th streets-George Nor
beck's and John MurDhys-were burned
out and several adjoining buildings were
damaged, and this event cast the robbery
in the shade.
The weather was sometimes very cold
and an embargo on the river trade oc-
CURED, causing some apprehension as to
the supplies. This was the case in 1919,
when the Potomac and the old Washington
canal, with the numerous ponds, afforded
fine skating for the boys-ladies not having
then taken to the sport. Two years dItef
there was another fearfuly cold snap.
Early the morning Of December "a the house
known as Bakers Franklin Hotel. at the
northeast corner of Sth and D streets, was
destroyed by fire, and much of the hose Of
the firemen was frozen stiff. Before the
apparatus could be moved back to the
engine houses the fire in the Congressional
Library took place, and If ever the fremen
performed herculean work 1t was on this
occa sion. With much effort the fire was
subdued. 1t was necessary to melt the ice
in the boxes of the engines and to unite
the serviceable hose of the companies and
to bodily carry some of the apparatus into
the rotunda.
The Christmas of 1853 was passed in a
very orderly manner, and, there having
been on the 23d q fearful wind storm.
wrecking some houses here. there was much
anxiety to hear from down the river. In
1854 and 1856 Christmas day was conspicu-
Gus by the number of drunken people On
the streets. In 1856 the weather was fear
fully cold, the river for some distance down
being ice-locked, and consequently skating
was enjoyed by a number. At least one
death resulted from the cold, for the fol-
lowing morning the body of Baltimorean
was found on the ice of the Tiber at I'd
street and Pennsylvania avenue. frozen
stiff.