The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-12-26
OBSERVANCE OF
CHRISTMAS DAY
Nothing to Make the Holiday Re-
notwithstanding for Poor and
other Unfortuntes.

Yesterday had nothing in particular
to make it remarkable as II Christmas
day. The usual observances obtained
without features that were especially
novel. and the weather was Il compro-
mise between good and bad. being fairly
winterish overhead. with just Il sight OF
snow and disa greeable under foot by
reason of the thaw.
One thing by which the day might he
made to stand out from those imnedl-
ately preceding it was the crowded con-
dition OF the central city streets. For
two months by reason of the street car
strike. the central city has been some
what deserted. Even the usual shop
ping crowds of the few days before
Christmas were not very much in evil
lence. Yesterday, however, there was
n continuous throng from early morn
till late a, night. on the principal thor
oushfares.
AS early as 40 o'clock these streets
had their crowds. They We're composed
mainly of the pious people. who would
begin the day Alright by attending
church. The > o'clock mass at the
cathedral was attended by fully 1000
persons. while at o'clock st. Peters
;luu ~. LUKE = nutl toliSitF't'io''' 'ii'''
filled their vast auditoriums. Until p.
m.. when the pontilical mass at the
cathedral was concluded. the stream OF
church goers was constant.
In the afternoon. the theatre goers
swelled the usual holiday afternoon
crowds. and while daylight lasted the
sidewalks. in consequence. bore q circus
day appearance. In the evening the
,at, I.,,. As. =
invariably the case. all three theatres
were filled to overhowing at each per-
formance.
If there was anybody lacking the sub
stantials that go to make possible a
merry Christmas. it is no fault or
Scranton's charity or thoughtfulness.
The Associated Charities. the church
societies and scores of individuals
spared no effort TO hunt out deserving
poor and supply them with Christmas
pot. The Associated Charities gave out
IL list of sixty families to be cared FOR
by organizations and individuals VINO
wanted to supply Christmas dinners.
At the county Jail. the l19 prisoners
each received a bountiflll allowance or
oyster soup. roast turkey. cranberry
sauce, sweet potatoes, pie, bread. cor
fee and oranges. lne luIiStilh'o 'icF
was gaily illuminated last evening. ana
at o'clock the prisoners were all al
lowed to come out of their cells and
view it. Each of the men was presented
with a quarter Of a pound of tobacco.
and the women with bag or candy.
Sheriff Schadt gave Warden Simpson
carte blanche in giving the poor unfor-
tunates Merry Christmas and the
warden never carried out an order win
greater qualification.
The hospitals each had a Christmas
tree. and ut the Lackawanna there was
a special tree for the children. All the
charity patients received presents from
the good hearted men and women VINO
make it one of their works to look after
the comfort of these unfortunates.
On industrial and business lines. the
holiday was strictly observed. All the
mines. mills. factories and the like We're
shut down, and the hotels, restaurants
toy, candy and drug stores were about
the onlv business places to keep open.