The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-26
Pleasant Christmas 0bServanc0S
at Various Institutions.
THE POOR AND UNFORTUNATE,
inmates Of the State Institutions Remem-
bered With Presents and Good
Dinners.

Christmas was observed In the state
and the various semi-public institutions
In the usual manner. interesting exercises
being conducted for the pleasure and
benefit OF the inmates.
The day itself was not such as would
he selected for an ideal holiday. but for
those who remained within the storm out
side made little difference.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
At the state institutions at Cranston
everything possible to brighten the lives
of the inmates was done.
Superintendent James Eastman received
from a friend In this city a check for $3.50.
10 be used in buying presents for the
young people in the various institutions.
He asked the boys at the Sockanosset
school TO write what they would like
Santa Claus TO bring them. He received
an enormous amount of letters asking for
such useful articles as printing outfits.
boxes of tools, calipers, etc, all of which
are used In the different industrial de-
partments. He was enabled TO grant
most Of their requests.
The old women at the almshouse en-
joyed a ride I'm the institutions big barge
In the morning and greatly enjoyed II.
A Christmas tree was loaded with pres
almshouse, and at 2 o'clock Charles A.
+, Norton, acting as Santa Claus, distri-
| buted the presents. all OF the inmates
receiving a token OF some sort Deputy
| Superintendent Asa L. May, assisted by
Mrs. Matron Frances Corliss, did all In
] their power to make the day pass pleas
| antly for those under their charge. The
dinner consisted OF roast beef and
"fixins."
Christmas eve was celebrated at the
| State Insane asylum by a dramatization
| OF Dickens Christmas story. In which the
| officers all had a character. and was
| greatly enjoyed by the inmates. DR.. G.
| +. Keene. superintendent of the asylum.
| distributed the presents. assisted by the
officers. late In the afternoon. The din
| ner consisted OF roast turkey and "fxins."
In the evening a social dance was enjoy
| ed.
Warden Wall at the prison and coun-
! ty jail gave the inmates the usual Christ
mas dinner OF roast spare rib. which the
men seemed TO greatly enjoy, being allow
ed TO carry a large quantity OF food to
their cells
The inmates OF the state workhouse and
school enjoyed a roast pork dinner and
! INDUCED in all sorts OF amusements that
could be enjoyed indoors.
At the Oaklawn School for Girls Matron
c. F. Forbush had Christmas tree, load
|
ed In the evening. Previous to the dis
! tribution a play entitled cinderella in
| Flower Land" was given. The girls sat
down TO turkey dinner at noon
Christmas eve at the Sockannosset
School for Boys an entertainment. en-
titled. THE Night Before Christmas" :"
was given under the direction of Deputy
Superintendent Butter1eld At noon on
Christmas day the boys sat down to a
turkey dinner. Each cottage was taste
fully decorated and contained n Christ
mas tree. The officers of the five cot
tages began the distribution OF presents
at o'clock and every boy received a gift.
The presents included skates. tool
chests. sleds, etc.
BETHEL INDUSTRIAL HOME.
At the Bethel Industrial home yesterday
about so men enjoyed a dinner OF roast
pork and fixings, and all work was sus-
pended for the day.
WORKING BOYS HOME.
The usual holiday dinner was enjoyed
the dinner the boys were made as happy
"a possible. Many OF the boys visited
their homes in various parts OF the state.
UNION GOSPEL MISSION.
free dinner was served at the Union
Gospel mission yesterday. and during q
! good things provided. on Jan. 2 a Christ.
mas tree viii be held for the children a,
the mission. Services are held at the
mission every Sunday evening at 1880.
ToBEY STREET HOME.
A generous Christmas dinner OF turkey
and all that usually accompanies IL wa,
served at the Tobey Street Home OF tn,
: Chlldren's Friend society. There was al
; abundance OF fruit. nuts and candy foI
, the children and the dinner was the even
| OF the day for them. For the rest Christ
> mas was celebrated quietly, but none th'
. less enjoyably. at the home.
The Christmas celebration was held OIL
r Christmas eve in the big school room
r where very large tree, well coverc'
with ornaments and with presents 70
. each OF the children at the home, ha'