Evening star., 1900-12-25
Good Cheer Dispensed to Inmates of
Local Institutions.
THE PROGRAM AT ST. ELIZABETH'S
Gifts for the ChiIdrenat the Several
City Charities,
p SONS AND SCHOOLS

Not only did clear skies and a bright
warm sun cheer the fortunate and the un-
fortunate today, but in those institutions
of the District where the inmates are de-
tanned by law by illness or by poverty
everything was done by those in charge to
make the great Christmas holiday one long
to be pleasantly remembered. In the Dis
trict prisons, with the single exception of
the Jail, extra bills of fare were furnished
the inmates, and at the hospitals, the Or
phan asylums and at the quarters of the
religious organizations the day was OBJ
served by not only the serving Of delica-
cies, but also by such ceremonies as were
appropriate to the day
At no institution was Christmas day
more pleasantly observed than at ST.. Eliza
bethS Insane Asylum, where 2200 or more
unfortunate beings are cared for by the
general government. DIR. Richardson, the
superintendent of the asylum decided sew
eral weeks ago upon program that would
be not only appropriate to the day, but
also one which would, if possible bring
happiness to every inmate of the great in
stitution. Each patient capable of re-
spending was asked to name some remem-
brance desired. In many instances the re-
plies were such as might be expected Of
beings in their unfortunate condition, vet
in great majority of the cases the gifts
asked for were reasonable and sensible
Very many requested wearing materials
many preferred books, and one woman pa
tlent expressed great desire for a tin
horn. She received it. Another woman
desired red jumping devil and a toy of
that character she received Even the
twelve Indians in the institution received
gifts.
All Unite I'm the Work.
Employees and officers of the Institution
alike enter with zest into this labor, all
actuated by the same sentiment in plan
ming and executing the details that will
work out into a merry. Christmas for the
mentally afflicted Of the hospital The pres
ent Christmas time is to be made as enjoy
able in every respect at the asylum as the
Christmas seasons Of the past. Through
out each ward, alcove, dining room and
hall the decorators, all employees Of the in
sttution, have festooned the crowfoot.
holy and cedar. The large chapel hall Is
similarly decorated, and all is in readiness
for the annual Christmas entertainment
this evening, when an employe of the instf-
tuition Will impersonate Santa Claus and
distribute the gifts, moving pictures nre
ceding and dance following
The Christmas dinner was served at
noon. II was prepared with care at the
asylum kitchens and was promptly dis
patched to the various wards dining rooms
and the large dining hall, several hundred
patients being accommodated in the latter
place at one time. To make up the CHRIST
mas feast there had been purchased 350O
pounds OF turkey over 1000 punches of eel
cry. six barrels of cranberries and as MANY
of cider. There were mince pies in abun-
dance home made mince meat having heen
used In making $50 of them, while each
turkey bore spicy stuffing, with delicious
brown gravy and accompanied by the
mealiest of potatoes. The meal was hearth
ly enjoyed by both inmates and ennloyes
ana tne supper this evening will be no less
so. Nuts. candy and cake will be placed
In plenty at each plate at the evening meal
In addition to the other eatables
German Orphan Asylum.
Each Of the sixty children at the German