The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-25
THEIR DAY OF GLaDNES
Festivities at 81, EIizabeth's and
ether Institutions.
Santa CLAUS aud his Ever-sIoon.Ins
Tree in Evidence Everywhere.
snmptnous Dinners Served 10 tIse
Inmates-MerryIs,ak Ruled the
Hours From Morning Until Night.

Christmas is always a great day at St
EIizsbeth's HOSPITAL fer the Insane II
is the policy Of the superintendent TO lead
the minds OF the inmates of the fnstitu-
tion away from their present condition as
much as possible. Hence much IS made
OF Christmas and other holidays To-day
there was served sumptuous dinner to
the 500 AID more insane people in the in
stitntion. There was plenty 10 eat and
in the di1erent dining rooms of the es-
Enlistment were to be seen well-ordered
greups of people eating and making mer-
~ together. The keepers and wardens.
of course kept close watch over their
wards, but there was q manifest loosen
ing Of restraint In many cases. It was
evident 20 the beheIder of the scene that
crazy people as well as sane ones eat
with relish and good appetite what is set
before them Not all. of course, were in
condition to appear at table on Christmas
Day any more than any other day, ard
they were seen eating by themselves OF
being fed by careful attendants.
It was explained to the reporter that ar
engagements had been made for an enter
teinment In the hall OF the institution This
evening, which all, except the most help
less of the inmates would be allowed to
tend Christmas tree-is to be gorgeous
~ lighted and filled with finsei and gilt
teEing gew-gaws- A special effort Is made
to make il resplendent to delight the IN
foTtunates shut away from the scenes
which delight their sansr relatives, In
connection with Ihe Christmas tree VIII be
the distribution OF gifts to everyone pres
ent. One of the attendants will be dressed
n. q Mt nd ~
direction several thousand pounds of nuts
and candy are 10 be distributed.
Besides the Christmas tree there will be
a moving picture exhibition. after which
there viii be dane. In this all who de-
sire to do so viii participate. It is said
that the inmates of St. EliEabeth's who
have taken part II these entertainments
have looked forward 70 the event with hap
by antieipaficns- They will talk Of Il aft
erward for days. and that Is red-letter
day in their dreary existence
Extensive preparations were made Cor
the celebration of Christmas at the Wash
ington Asylum Superintendent Stcuteis-
burgh had given orders thst-the inmates of
the warehouses;, the almshouses, and fhe
hospital should be fed with extra fare, and
should be given sensible reminder of the
fact that today is Christmas. At the
EorkhOuse ali work. except such as is
done on Sunday was suspended. The den
liens of that institution were given bath
last evening and furnished with clean
clothes Those who were not detailed for
work spent the day in loungihg about the
buildings and taking a good rest At the
almshouse some of the inmates received
presents from their friends on the outside
While the rest dozed in their chairs by the
heaters and waited for dinner Dinner was
the main thing with the hundreds Of pris-
oners and indigents at the asylum. There
was roast turkey in abundance and sew
eral deIicacies made and sergsc by the
able corps OF cooks which the asylum
boasts Of II was the testimony of all
that Mr. Stoute1burgh had saved his repu-
tation as caterer 10 the wants OF the
people entrusted TO his care.
Christmas is true holiday at the Re-
form scbovl for Boys on the Bladensburg
road. The usual work in the shops ard
about the farm and buildings was sus-
pended and the day given over to play
AMI festiyity. sumptuous dinner of
TURKEY, roast beef and vegetables was
served to the boys shortly after noon.
During the morning the boys had In
dulged ii a game of football on one OF
the fields of the farm AID they were in
good appetite. AS one OF the attendants
observed, it was well that good supply
of food was laid in, or the laTder would
have run short
Last night there was a Christmas tree
in the hall OF the main building. Santa
Claus was present, and each boy at the
school was remembered by some appro-
pirate gift. Nuts and candy were plenti-
full, and some Of the boys received sah-
stantiaI gifts from their friends outside.
This afternoon the boys at the school
played q game of baseball between and
O'Clock
At the Reform School for Girls there
we're short religious services this morn
ing. Shortly after noon dinner was
served, and an excellent repast it was
During the day many Of the girls we're
remembered by their friends IN the aft
eFnoon some time was spent out of doors
IN games and In quietly walking about
the grounds
This evening there viii be q Christmas
tree, singing, Rotations, and readings By
some of the attendants.
There was little at the District fail to-
day to suggest Christmas, except that
the friends OF some Of the prisoners sent
in food and sweetmeats TO them. So Tar
as the official conduct Of affairs was con-
cerned. there was 10 change The pris-
oners we're fed as usual, but being
penal institution It Is the policy CT Tea
present management 10 make no distinc-
ton in days. To the prisoners, Thanks
giving Christmas and other holidays
come and go. and the same routine Of
prison life is maintained without even
a change OF fare 70 suggest the days of
childhood or happier times in the past.
Had it not been for a slight relapse Of
discipline which permitted the reception
of gifts from the outside from the friends
of prisoners 1t would not have been pos
sfbIe to discover that the worlds holiday