The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-01-04
Special Correspondence

jackson, January 2, 1899.
1t will be several days before
letter. writer's can get accustomed
to making the figures of the new
year, and so the date of this as
first penciled, was 1898. 1t was
one of the most eventful, as it
will ever be among the most
memorable years in the history
of these United States, and it
will be referred to as frequently
as any year of the past. since
1776.
Since my last letter your cor
respondent has indulged in a few
days outing, and some notes
thereof may interest your read
ers. On Tuesday, 9th inst, it
was my privilege to participate
with the brethren OF Deer Creek
Masonic Lodge, No. 356. in the
observance of the festival of st.
John the Evangelist, and to in
stal the officers for the New Year.
The handsome lodge room was
well filled by an interested audi
ence, and the exercises and ad-
dresses were attentively observed
and listenel to. This Lodge is
at Rolling Fork, the county seat
of Sharkey, forty-five miles
north of Vicksburg-one of the
best business tow in the Delta
; section. G.. H. Blum was re-
elected Master; d. G. Casey ex-
State Senator re- elected Secre-
tary. A royal banquet followed
the installation ceremonies. The
Lodge was getting up a New
Years present of one hundred
dollars for the Natchez Profess
tant Orphan Asylum. Mr..
Blum 8 little daughter had coll
lected nearly half the amount.
From Rolling Fork / proceeded
to Natehez for the purpose of
visiting the Asylum. | found it
in better shape than for many
years. The Matron, the lady
managers, and the fortysz.little
boys and girls z essc me a most
kind reception, and this was no
little compensation for my labors
in its behalf. The children APP
peared to be very happy. Santa
Claus had generously remember
ed each one; and friends at
Vicksburg, Yazoo City and other
places had sent them great boxes
of good things. Mrs. Fleming,
the treasurer. had received nearly
one thousand dollars in Thanks
giving offerings from churches.
Sunday schools, lodges and in
dividuals, and on the day of my
visit there was about fifteen hum
dred dollars in tie Treasury.
But as the expen es are about
three hundred dollars per month,
the treasury and the larder have
t0 be repleuished from week to
week. Often the supply is scant,
aud the prospect Is blue, but the
good women in charge have SUBJ
lime faith in the promise, 'The
Lord will provide. = The Asylum
has been in existence four score
years, and although it has never
had an endowment fund, it has
never closed its doors. Fourteen
years ago, when that seemed to
be inevitable, and an appeal vas
published, a gentleman in New
York City sent his check for two
hundred and fifty dollars. with
the statement that it was an ex-
preston of his gratitude, having
been reared in the Asylum. That
statement and that contribution
lifted a very dark and oppressive
cloud.
Here is a letter that one of the
boys-W alter BoIian addressed
to Santa Claus:
ssDear Santa
'.Iwill hang my note en- the wall,
At one end Of the front hall,
So please look there before you are done
And you win plainly see that | want a
shotgun
Please don't say You we're in a ha=te,
And had to climb up the fire place.
And Walter got his gun.
The other orphanages, at
Na.chez, Jackson and Water