New-York tribune., 1905-02-23
STAY AT HOME HOLIDAY.
THEA7'RES WE'LL FILLED.
Celebration at Catholic ProtectOry--
Veteran volunteer Firemen Parade.

Almost Sabbath quiet marked the observance
OF Washington's Birthday in the city yesterday
the great majority of New-Yorkers making the
holiday of rsstfgl enjoyment in their honeS-
The theatres were we'll patronized, but the
weather was not propitious for driving or walk
ing abroad, and the streets were almost de-
serted, except for the children. who made play
grounds of the sidewalks because tAe scnoos
were closed. Because the skating was In PAD
shane after two days of thaw. comparatively
few Young people went from Manhattansto Van
Cortlandt Park.
Flags were flying aIl over the city. even in
the districts which were nearly deserted on
account of the closing of the exchanges stores
and factories. At the old Block House In Cen
tral Park the flag was raised at sunrise Dy
Thomas Davis a veteran OF the Cfvh war 1t
had been the rule for some Of the patriotic So
cietfes to attend to this forrnaIity there early
on the morning OF Washington's Birthday' put
Yesterday Davis had the celebration all TO him
self At the Battery the flag was raised at sun
rise bv Thomas Keenan, and James Dalton. vet
erans. respectively, of the Civil War and the
Spanish-American War, who had been oesis-
mated by Park Commissioner Pallas.
One of the more spectacular observances OF
the day was a parade in which members oh
the Exempt Firemeh's Association and the Let
ter Carriers Association took part The wnite-
haired vets OF the ola volunteer EAO -
partment in regalia Uniform, dragged the OLD
hand engine. No. 26. with ropes down from their
headquarters in the jefferson Market building
to Meehan's restaurant, in Park Row, being
Joined on the way by delegation OF the letter
carriers and a band. Mr.. Meehan, the beer
and' man of Park Row. had his place filled with
flowers as q welcome to the paraders' anu
he also threw open two upper stories or tne
building for their entertainment. IN one OF
the stories was a vaudeville show and IN the
other story was @ reception, at which the t4x-
empts" presented an American flag to Mr.. Nee
han as a mark of his thirtieth anniversary IN
the Row, They also vainIy tried to induce Fire
Commissioner Hayes, who was present, 70 make
a speech. In Brooklyn there was larger pa
rade of volunteer firemen
President Fornes and several other city OFF,
ciaIs several justices and nearly five hundred
other persons went from Manhattan to the
Catholic Protectory In Westchester County to
attend the Washington's Birthday celebration.
In the large assembly hall of the institution the
exercises consisted of songs drills and instru-
mental music. One exhibition on the stage was
by the protectory fire brigade, the boys first
kindlfng a fire and then extinguishing It. A let
ter of regret from President Roosevelt was read.
and there were addresses later by Justice Ready,
of Brooklyn and Mr.. Fornes.
Among the patriotic observances OF the day
in Manhattan which attracted large gatherings
were those at Fraunce Tavern and at the
Jumel Mansion. Last evening there were sew
eraI dinners in celebration OF Washington's
Birthday, and they were largely attended