davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
SAD SIDE OF CHRISTMAS.
The Suffering Among the Unem-
pZoued Of England.

London. Dec. 25-rhe dark sides of the English
Christmas are the great number OF unemployen
and the distressing prevalence OF destitution rms
is seen principally in London and Glasgo" anu
along the Tyne and other shipbuildins cen1IeS
where many establishments have been cIosed a4'
thousands Of men are out OF work
A small band OF wretched looking unernploy 81
persons have paraded the principal snoppihe
streets for the last week. threading their way
among the lines of motor cars and the cro"os ..
sboppers Police accompanied the band as Il
marched in order to prevent disturbance Its pei4
bers shouted in unison they marched we "@H'
work"
More than thousand homeless men assemble On
the Thames embanknent every midnlghI u Sc
tickets to Salvation Army shelters Ihe AIi,S' @
however, is able to accommodate only hah inc
crowd and the others disperse many OF thein D De
ing obliged to spend the nights out OF ooors- no
newspapers daily record cases OF men oelns sen"
fenced to Imprisonment for stealing food pieao1Hs
that they are starving or have families suhei4is
from want The appeals TO charitable oTs@ihlA~
tions for help were never numerous or urgent
The Salvation Army and other chsr1tao-e INST
tutions to-day gave dinners to many thousahos U
destitute persons. but this aid was trihns IN Cot
parison with the needs OF the unemployed
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26

get up again the burden Of an ADDRESS pS
Father McGrath, the director OF the mission
Begin all over again." he told the listeners
The men dined one hundred a. q time, and they
got a turkey or chicken dinner, mince pie ano
plum duff with a cigar as q clincher. John u.
Crimmins gave q dinner to 260 women ana 19V
at the Home for the Aged OF the LArlie
Sisters Of the Poor in East 705h street
Christmas cheer pervaded the prisons. Crimes
were forgotten wardens and keepers were
gentle. SuTenness vanished from the hardened
men and women in every one OF the city 3alts'
At the Tombs many packages we're received 1Of
the prisoners, and these had 10 be opened ey
the keepers. There were services after the tuF-
key dinner. Charles ". Morse did not have a
visitor Mrs Morse saw him Thursday and
left a package Of delicacies for him. Boys 10
the number of seven hundred in the House OK
Refuge on Randali's Island received many pres
ents from their parents, and q real dinner was
provided by the city At the Catholic Fro-
tectory four thousand boys attended solemn
mass at 10 o'clock. The Protectory band Of
seventy-hve pieces and choir of two hundred
furnished the music The boys were entertained
and many received gifts from friends and rela-
tiSes.
The Tough Club gave q dinner for FIVE hun
dred boys and girls IN Greenwich village. In
aIl the churches Of an denominations there were
special services At St Patrick's Cathedral
pontffiCal high mass was celebrated pg <AICh-
bishop Farley ct II o'clock There was large
attendance The great church was profusely
decorated with holly and evergreen, and Christ
mas trees were numerous about the sanctuary
There was another celebration OF mass in the
afternoon.
Trinity was thronged at the services held at
II O'Clock A full mems choir assisted in an
elaborate musical programme The rector. the
Rev. DR.. William T Manning in his sermon
said:
The very word Christmas speaks 20 of
peace. happiness and blessing the whole world
over IL speaks 20 US of that which is most
sacred in our whole home life, that which is best
and highest IN our relation with each other. X
Is one of the most sacred truths in our religion
In Brooklyn the Salvation Army gave out from
its branches more than one thousand baskets,
each containing dinners for from five TO seven
persons Dinners were also given out by the
Volunteers Of America and by various charitable
institutions. Entertainments were held in all
the branches OF the Young Mems Christian As
sociation. Percy G. Williams. the theatrical
manager. gave several thousand children free
entertainment at the Gotham Theatre, IN East
New York. At the navy yard the six hundred
sailors on board the receiving ship Hancock had
turkey Ginner and a musical entertainment.
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
MYSTERY IN HIS DEATH.
Young Nan Erpires Soon After
Being Taken Home By Strangers.

The police and Coroner Kennedy have begun Al
investigation OF the death q Clemens Se-eubstz
twenty years Old son OF Robert Serenhetz a
wealthy -four merchant living at No 5S1 Cleveland
street Brooklyn. In the opinion OF DIT. Joseph
samenfeId OF No. 400 Miller avenue, who was sum
rnoned when the youth carried into his hou1s
by a number Of men. VINO said they had assisted
him from an Il station. there was cause 70 believe
knockout drops" had been used
The young man died shortly after midnight yes
terday morning after having suffered from spasrns
and having been IN q OF coma, tntsrulittenty
for nearly six hours
The men who accompanied Serenbetz 20 hiI
home we're unknown to any OF the family Thers
was apparently no motive for foul play-for ths
Young mans gold watch and chain. sum % money
and a diamond ring. stickpin and trinker5 had not
been taken. The youns man was employed ~ a
Williamsburg firm OF grocers as stenOsrapher ana
bookkeeper.
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
TOUGH CLUB As HOST.
Green1rich Village Boys and Girls,
500 Strong, Make Mer7Y.

TIE Tough Club was host yesterday 20 five hun
dred boys and girls. who enjoyed an afternoon OF
musical and dramatic entertainment, which was
followed by a feast Of ice cream and cake and the
distribution Of toys and boxes OF candy. The club
house at No q Grove street in the heart OF old
Greenwich Village. is large enough for ordinary
purposes but Christmas Day IL is all too small.
That the club members live up TO their was
shown by the presence yesterday of Simon Sharp,
who a charter member f0rty-three years ago.
The reception for The children OF Greenwich VII
lage has been fixture with the club for the last
thirty years Yesterdays eIcelled its predecessors
both the number OF children who enjoyed the
hospitality and the effort Of the club make the
entertainment the success. which the cheers Of the
half thousand boys and girls voted it
Il day OF for the members from COM
rercia pursuits, but they worked hard IN looking
after the wants Of the little There was q
vaudeville performance on the ground Hoor with a
programme OF a dozen numbers. The girls stayed
until The last. aid then entertained themselves
with popular songs while the boys. through for
aging expedition discovered ne good things down
stairs, and cut the performance for the
ter1al things Ike ice cream and cake Each boy
and girl received gifts Of toy and box OF candy
and each decided that Il was all just dandy"
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
HER SUICIDE WAS JUST A BLUFF.
She Thought That Life Was Pretty Rough
When Hubby Dear Forgot the Muf.

When Mrs Lora Blackburn. CT S7th street. at
Christmas daylight oped her eyes she quickly
found her feet. "Ah ha! he! he" she cried IN
giee This is the merry day for me Unless dear
John has bought my mun I'll scare him with
Christmas bluH-"
The adjoining room she quickly sought, and
looked to see what John had bought: pair OF
gloves. a brand hat, and many other things
like that but still no mur the lady found although
che looked with around. She caught her
breath it must be true. in vain her smile IN vain
her sighs, in vain her months OF asking, too.
Well, then, since smiles would not succeed, shed
try another way TO plead.
OF cyanide she bought pint then fel! upon the
floor and screamed. Dear John came flying TO her
aid for very to death she seemed. Dr. scho-
field found no sign that she had swallowed aught
aniss Policemen and sought clew, but
still she screamed IN utter bliss
When all elso failed she up and 'fessed that 1t
had only been bluff. She thought that life
not worth while without G little furry mufr Here
ends the tale but. sad to tell, we don't know what
the sequel was But let hope it ended we'll. be-
cause it almost always does.
N B.-Mrs. Blackburn is thirty-seven years old
and lives at No. 80S West 97th street She just
capped going to the J. Hood Wright Hospital.
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
CHEERS FOR SULLIV4NS.
Eight Thousand Hungry and Thirsty
Men Their Guests.

Nearly eight thousand men were fed yesterday at
the tenth annual Christmas dinner Of the Timothy
.. Sullivan Association at No 207 Bowery- This,
II was said. beat the record by two thousand John
!. White president OF the association found many
of the guests wrapping food up in paper They
told him they had families which needed dinner
than they did SO far possible they we're
furnished with provender TO take home.
The dinner hour set for il g. m, but because
of the size Of the crowd II started at $50.
George J Kraus acted master Of ceremonies.
The slaughter included 250o pounds OF turkey and
similar amount OF chicken, 20 barrels OF potato
salad. LOO apple pies and L. 100 mnce pies Is kegs
beer 5000 loaves Of bread 500 cups OF cof-
fee. Each received a pouch Of tobacco q pipe
and a ticket for a pair OF shoes and socks. An
orchestra provided music and the diners furnished
cheers for the Sulliyans-'Big Tim" Little Tim
and the
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
CAPITAL ENJOYED DAY,
President and Other officials Had
Family Gatherings.

Washington Dec 2-Christnas at the national
capital marked by an almost complete cesed
ton of business. both official and private ana IN
its stead there was substituted the time honored
observance of the day. Nature complned 10 ElFs
an added effect TO the occasion by covering tle
city with a mantle of snow. and the )lnsle Ok
sleigh heIIs was everywhere heard AS has been
the case in years past, interest centred IN "Ha1
the official families doing
President and Mrs. Roosevelt gave a large fam
iIv luncheon with a few intimate friends, at the
white House and tonight they took dinner with
Rear Admiral and Mrs. Cowles. Most OF the Capl-
net folks were here the only absentees being Ihe
Secretary of War and Mrs Wright who celebrated
the day at their home in Memphis; Attorney Gehefi
and Mrs Bonaparte who are at their home in
Baltimore; Secretary Newberry, who was the guest
of the Detroit Club in his native city ana FoSI-
General Meyer, who has gone on a nuh' NUM-
ing trip. The Vice-President, his oaushIer M .
John Timnons and the sons OF the household re-
nlaned here take part in the day s 1est4'lteS' @
Mrs Fairbanks is visiting friends in Atahllc Cty'
An event OF some moment to SIX hunoreo CT CLi4-
dren of the officials and employees OF the PostoHlce
Department occurred at Masonic Temple. Where
Mrs. Meyer the hostess at an enter eiIaIlieA' "a
music pantOmime, moving pictures, elC- 1AISI0 "A'
a large Christmas tree, to add to the Oellsl1' %
youthful ones, and presents for all were oisIIO-
uted All the churches conducted religious serVlceS'
and in most Of them special music was pro'11eu.
The moor and needy were not overlooked FROM
known and unknown sources many nome, e'----- -
by the wintry blasts and made deSo4aIe OS Po'
erty's sting was made comfortable oy generous
supplies Of fuel food and raiment Inc AssOc4d'+
Cbartttes in most instances had charge OF the worA
Of distribution. although the Elks. Mystic ShrlherS'
and other fraternal orders business hrnls anu pI'
yate individuals extended independent help.
Tang shao VI the special envoy from nina, ~ - -
ar+erta,ntng merry gathering of Chinese students
during Christmas week. They include a nuIhDer ol
those sent here by the Chinese government Iol
education in American institutions as "eH "S
others sent here by their parents 10 'LS n-iOo
OF more than eighty in all The boys come from
as far west as Chicago and as far south as
Atlanta Every opportunity Is be ng anoroeo tilsiI
to zee the sights OF the city ana 70 ENJOY 'ii7'i
visit to the national capital
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
PLAYERS At PLAY.
Dinner Parties at Clubs-MdTane
EHiotts Santa Claus.

Although the greater number Of the theatrical
companies in the city appeared at TWO per
formances yesterday. the actors and actresses
found pleasure in exchanging gifts There wef7
several pleasant dinner parties at The Lambs Inc
Players and other we'll known theatrical ciuos.
Some Of the leading players. Mrs. F1ske' MAuas
Adams, Blanche Bates. Maxine Eliott, anna held'
Wilton Lackaye, Annie Russell, Ethel barrymore,
William Hodge Joseph OMara and FRITZ Semen
were the leading spirits at select gatherings MISS
Bates presided in the afternoon at mirthru alIaF
held on the stage of the Stuyvesant- The Litue
Memo" and Via Wireless companies mao d JoFlA1
time among themselves
Lee and J. J. Shubert distributed substantial g1fts
to their numerous employees and the actors anu
actresses in the companies directed by them But
the happest of the actresses under their manage
rrent was Maxine Elliott Santa Claus, In a COS
tune made out of bits Of Shakespeare, Monere'
Sheridan. and other renowned dranatists' ana a
patch from Clyde Fitch's old clothes, appeared a'
her hotel before the bells began 10 summon the
devout to the churches. Was she surprised? yes
very much The composite figure of drarnatlsts
old and new led down that silent thoroughfare
popularity described Broadway. They turned
into seth street, and even those whose minds were
preoccupied with heavenly things, as they jour
neved TO this or that sanctuary observed at her
heels the shadow of the portly entssary OF tne
uberts attired In suit of brown and tile mat
bespoke his early acquaintance with foreign uni
versity.
The shadow marched quickly by the stage vision
Of Santa Claus and stopped at the Maxine Elliott
Theatre.
Yours and ours" he remarked, joyfully' tho
"ours" being a word for the Shuberts
Why the theatre is practically complete at this
moment" Miss Elliott exclaimed. 1T fs q Christ
mas present-the biggest Christmas present ever
heard Of or course 7 grown up and know
that Santa Claus didn't bring It, but surely some
good spirit has been aiding to get 1t all finished
so quickly and ready for opening at just this hoh-
day season of the year"
The Elliott Theatre will be formally opened on
Wednesday night.
The Hfppodrome players had Just as good a time as
the Christmas nerrymakers in front. Back OF the
stage nearly every dressing room had its tree ana
a marty" All of the foreign circus performers
were entertained n the members OF the com
panies. Alfredo Rcssi had his big elephant Rosa
act as understudy for Santa Claus, and she hahoeu
out gifts from a big tree in the stables.
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
PRISON CONGRESS- PLANS.
Dir. Root Wants $4,000 to Enter
tain WOrId'S PenOIOgistS.

Washington, Dec 25.-Secretary Root has a5AeG
Congress for appropriation or S04JD 70 CoNss
the expenses of entertaining the members o. JAs
International Prison Congress. which VII meet n
Washington IN the autumn OF 1910 Ar- Root h@1
taken a personal interest IN the coming congress-
and TO the delegates, who will represent neaf-y,
every European country, will BE shown the oess
things which the penolOgtsts OF the United S-@Ies
have achieved IN improved methods OF dea--ls VIA
crimes and criminals
An important feature OF the prison congress w
be the discussion OF child saving preve1lss
measures in the work OF stamping out crime rs
American Prison Association viii merge is aI'--4
meeting with that OF the international body, aHi =
has appointed q committee, OF which FroIesslA
Charles r Henderson. OF Chicago, IS the cna-InAAs
to cooperate with the government secretary 1-o'S
is trying to have the South and Central AIle-l~--
republics send representatives 10 the Hae7---s -
Washington
The international Prison Congress was orsa--eN
in 1872 through the efforts OF Congress-. Win,
year previous, authorized the President 10 ssA1
commissioner abroad 10 obtain the cO-opsra1i0H -
foreign countries. The late Z. g. Wines. Penolos
list OF national repute sent abroad cy FIsS4s~-
Grant, and the international congress reSai'e--
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
ONE SIDE OF THE POLICEMAN.
His Coffee and Sandwiches for Street Waits,
Old and Young

Four children, ranging from four to six years
old. were found by Policeman Struoen crying
hungry and shivering at Sixth avenue and oth
street last night They said they lived In 65th
street One Of them had velocipede. with which
they had been so much occupied that they rad
wandered away from homie.
They consented TO 20 TO the police station in
East 51st street II they allowed to ride the
veocipede. Each took q turn on the wheel with
the others cIingtng behind
In the station Lieutenant Mccoy sent out for
coffee sandwiches and cake and the tears were
quickly dispeIed. The policemen furnished the chill
dren with musical instruments and they were hav-
ing merry time when Policeman Schoenho1se
brought in q trembling woman, nearly seventy
years old clad in a thin gtngham wrapper, whom
he had found wandering about the streets at FIRST
avenue and 5lst street She could give no tnforna-
ton about herself The coffee and sandwiches
chered her and the little ones offered her some or
their cake The children, who said they were Eva
and Edna woolner and Helen Keirn. were sent TO
fbe Cbildrer.'s Society. The woman went to the
Night Court a vagrant-
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
NEGRO NEARLY LYNCHED.
One of Three Burglars Wh0 Rod
Georgia Bank Caught.

Palmetto Ga. Dec Z.-FoIIowtng the attempted
burglary Of the Palmetto Bank and the robbins
OF the Culbreth Hardware COrnpany's store early
today by three negroes, one OF the burglars vss
captured and narrowly escaped lynehing at taa
hands OF the infuriated citizens The crowd EaA
finally prevailed upon to let the law take its corss
and the negro was taken to Fairbur1s the county
seat and lodged in Jail
Armed with shotguns and rifles, q score oS
citizens searched the surrounding country today
for the other negroes The burglars drilled or
the hinges OF the outer door OF the bank safe. bus
were unable 10 break the inner door and get a.
the banks cash After denOiishing much OF ths
furniture and fixtures, the negroes are alleged ID
have gone TO the CUIbreth hardware store and
stole several revOIvers. a lot OF cartridges and
knives. Here, too. they failed % ger any cash-
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
CURTAIN FIRE AT CHURCH TABLEAUs
Goodness of Officials Prevents Panic at Sun
day School Gathering

Orange N. J.. Dec. 25 (speciaD.-In the midst OF
the Sunday school celebration OF the Orange Valley
Congregational Church, held In the church last
night "A serious panic averted by the cool
action Of the officials Of the church. Part of the
entertainment consisted OF tableaus from Mother
Goose. and tho church was crowded. The foot
lights were unprotected candles, and in the middle
OF the series the curtain lowered directly
on top OF the Of lights. In instant the
fringe had caught fire and blazed up.
George +. SpottiswooGe, who sitting In the
front row, sprang forward and graBped the blaz-
ing cloth. Others went To his aid, while those In
the OF the room devoted themselves to quiet
ing the incipient panic. Spottiswoode tore the
curtain from its fasenings and with the assistance
Of the others able TO smother the flames
Afterward the show went before. except that
there curtain
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
JURY HAS HARGIS CASE.
LazUyers for the Defence FIayed in
Closing Speech.

Irvine KY. Dec 25--Ths case of Beach Hargts.
on trial here for the murder OF his father went
10 the fury to-day. A disagreement IS expected n
many quarters. The prisoners mother, VINO has
given her fortune 10 aid in his defence. IS conf
dent Of acqUlttaL
The jury reported At o'clock that they could u0c
agree Judge Adams told them that be mist
leave Irvine for another point in the circuit az
O'Clock tomorrow. and sent them TO thinA ii over
and report Tomorrow
A Byrd for the prosecution who was always
the fnnpIacabIe enemy OF Judge Hargts somewhat
took the uart of the dead feudist in the bitterest
speech ever heard in the Kentucky mountains.
He fayed J. J. Bach and VIII A Young. attorneys
for Beach Hargis, saying that they "ats the bread
OF the war chieftain OF Breathltt County Thils
he was alive and then tried 10 save his murderer
from the galows
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
THE HAINsEs DINE TOGETHER.
Father Visits Sons and Eats Jail Fare with
Theu-TheiT Brother III.

Major John P. Haihs. who has been IN daily at
tendance at the Supreme Court in Flushing, Long
Island where his brother. T. Jenkins Hams. is
trial was reported yesterday TO have been taken
suddenly Ill with a congestive chill, and In conse-
quence was unable TO take Christmas dinner with
hts father, General Peter c. Hains, and his two
brothers T Jenkins Hains and Captain Hams, in
the Queens County Jail Long Island City. General
Hams and his two ate the Christmas dinner
provided by Sheriff Harvey for his prisoners.
The keepers say that T. Jenkins Hams Is
glIne of acGuittal and was in the best OF hunor.
The Hainses did not attend he entertainment pro-
Vfded by Under Sheriff Phillips for the 200 prisoners
in the Jail.
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
POLICEMEN PLAY SANTA CLAUS.
Set Up Christmas Tree In Station ard Enter
tain Poor Little Ones of District.

Detroit Dec 25-The police officers attached TO
the Hunt street police station the East Side Of
the city where poor children abound made the
hearts of fifty little ones happy to-day with
Christmas tree in the station The officers. VINO
took pains TO invite the children whose stockings
promised 10 be empty, distributed candy and toys
TO their little guests
Three little folk who expected did not ar
rive. and the lieutenant in charge sent big pa
trolrnan for them He brought the tots to the
station desk where It was decided that they had
been too good" and punishment each was
rresentad with q silver dollar.
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
PROTEST AGAINST FOREIGN VESSELS
Pacific Coast Business Men Say Go7ernlns1s
Charters Hurt American Bottoms

San Francisco. Dec 25.-StrOng efforts are Oe'Is
made by the Associated Chambers CT Cof1lle'e
OF the Pacific Coast 10 relieve the depression =
shipping circles caused BY the unusual nliil0si .
foreign bottoms on the coast. and the Iae1 - -
these vessels OF foreign register are sent out ''
with government Goa! and then discharged
Every chamber OF commerce and conl~ll5Il ~
body on the Coast has Joined IN tire fight asalus
what Is termed unfair competition The si1U2--
has been thoroughly discussed by shipping mel-
and thus far all agree that the goVeTaI-7--
method OF chartering tramp Golfers has assis-1
and still assists in deTnoralzing and depressing 10
business Of American vessels and regular lines -
the Pacific Coast
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
THREE MORE REELFooT CONFESSIONS.
Offer viii Be Considered at Conference To-day
Christmas Day Quiet.

Union City. Tenn, Dec 25.-AdditionaI evidence
embodied in the confessions OF three members OF
the Night Rider band OF Reelfoot Lake was offered
the state to-day, 1t is said in connection with the
trials of eight alleged leaders Of the can accused
OF having had part in the lynching of Captain
Quentin Ranxin at Walnut Log.
Whether the evidence will be accepted under the
provso OF the men who offered TO testify that the
three be used state witnesses will be deter
mined at a conference OF the state attorneys to-
morrow.
Further than this Christmas Day at Union City
passed quietly and without especial incident
New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
CHILDREN OWN c1TY's PUBLIC SQUARE
Pandemonium Reigns for an Hour After Gifts
Are Distributed to All Who Come.
rBy Telegraph 10 The Trbune.I

TBy TelegTaph 70 Ihe Ir1Dune-I
Clinton. ILL., Dec. 25-Several hundred dollars
worth Of Christmas gifts given to the children
OF this city in unique way. AT 1870 this morning
there were twelve hundred children the public
square. Candy, oranges and toys OF almost every
description given to the expectant young
sters Included in the gifts were six hundred horns.
with which the youngsters raised pandemoniurn
Santa Claus, and three aids. drove TO the square,
where they unIoaded the gifts in miniature
barrels and boxes.
There perfect jam the children surged
forward to get what in store for them For
hour following the giving OF the gt $, the chill
drsn had possession OF the square.