The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-26

1t was estimated yesterday aft ' . ernoon that nearly three thousand . people were provided with Christ . . mas dinner by the Salvation + . Army. Over one thousand were given a dinner at the hall. Three . . hundred baskets were given away . . and each contained dinner for five . people. and the prisoners in the . county Jail, more than 25o in num- . Der, were given a dinner. o-A-A>A A N A q ~ A q There is large quantity of matter in the local office of the Southern Express company and the postoffice which could not be handled yesterday even with the additional force of help which has been on duty for several days, and the citizens who were disappointed in not receiving their packages containing Christmas pres ents will probably get them today
 The different railroads operating lines in Birmingham were tested yesterday to their utmost capacity. and the early trains were packed with passengers coming to Birmingham to spend the holidays. The morning trains were all late, and as fast as the coaches were unloaded there was steady stream of people going out of town for the day to re-occupy the cars. According to the statements of several of the railroad officials this years Christ mas travel has been far greater than what has been experienced here in many years.
 A great many of the retail business houses were kept open until noon yes terday and others of them were closed the. entire day. All the factories and larger manufacturing concerns were closed and workmen and employers alike forgot busl- ;, ness cares and worries for a day of rest and enjoyment.
 While the average resident had plenty reason to be thankful for their share of l the worlds goods, the less unfortunate were not forgotten. Many poor people who could not afford a Christmas dinner were remembered by the Salvation army and the prisoners confined in the Jefferson county jail were also cared for by these workers among the poor and needy.
 Many Given Dinner.
 l The Salvation army hall on Second ave- nue has been the scene of many events that has made the hearts of the poor glad, but the dinner given yesterday was 1 the biggest thing of the kind ever at 1 tempted in Birmingham. It was estimated that at least 1000 of the city's poor were , cared for at the noon hour. Over 300 large | baskets loaded with eatables with l sufficient quantity in them for five peo- pie were given out in addition to the number of people fed at the. hall. l MpCIa1ia nd nd his force of s- sistants were kept busy at the hall all of the forenoon preparing for the event.
 A large crowd gathered at the hall long before the hour set for the distribution of the baskets. and the dinner was sue l cess in every particular The crowd of l hungry people was very orderly. The long 1 tables were packed with turkey, roast beef, chicken potatoe salad boiled pota- toes, celery turnps, pies cakes, tea and coffee.
 The crowd was so large that 1t was necessary to keep some people waiting and set the table a second time A peep into the hall was sufficient to show how much the less fortunate enjoyed the meal The baskets were given out one at a time and no one was turned away l MlluOul ItttlNlhB lho oi iltl 5AAts l While the people were enjoying the food prepared for them Professor Al 1 fred Koch rendered several solos on the violin which helped to make the affair more enjoyable. Professor Koch is a grad uate of the Wainar and Leipzig con servatory in Germany and is a performer of rare ability. He rendered his ser vices to help with the dinner
 Ensign McClelland stated after the din- ner was over that they had been pre- pared for a large crowd and that 1t did him good 10 care for the people who were not only in need of such a feast, but were worthy of the kindness shown them He also said that the army had demonstrated to the Birmingham public it's willingness to help the needy and bring joy and sunshine where there is sadness and sorrow, and that they were made happy to think they had done good to others. There Is a large quantity of the dinner which was not served and En- sign McClelland said last nglht that f those who failed to call at the hall yes terday for their baskets would go there today they would be given what was left. It will only spoil if not called for and the army is anxious to have 1t go to some needy persons.
 Prisoners Have Dinner. Headed by Ensign McClelland the mem- bers of the Salvation Army corps went to the Jefferson county Jail at 12 o'clock, armed with some one hundred baskets of ,ha dinner for the prisoners confined