Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-26
RAIN AND SLEeT MAKE
DAY DREARY AND DISMAL
Christmas Cheer Prevails In Homes
Of Poor as Result Of Kindness Of
Elks, Salvation Army, Associated
Charities and churches--serviee
In the Churches.

Although fireworks were going OH
almost every minute from early in the
morning until late in the night, so far
as had been reported at midnight
there was not single serious acct
dent In this city yesterday as the re-
suit Of the Christmas celebration.
This probably Is the first Christmas
in the city's history that some one
has not had a finger or hand blown
CT or suffered other injuries from
cannon crackers, Roman candles or
other kinds of fireworks.
As was the case last year, Christ
mas dawned with leaden skies and
a light rain falling. The rain later
changed to a light snow and that
again gave way 10 rain. while this was
followed with o light fall Of sleet.
Thus it kept up throughout the gay,
FIRST raining and then sleeting. Just
before nightfall the rain ceased and
the clouds broke away. showing
patches of blue here and there in the
armament, but shortly after darkness
fell heavy northwest blow came up
and continued throughout the night.
The mercury fell rapidly and az mid
night Il was bitter cold.
Small Boys on JOB.
Rain. slset and snow could not
dampen the enthusiasm of the small
boy and he was en- the job bright and
early. Baby walkers developed iufo
men and women walkers. while tor
pedoes were worked overtime. Later
in the day the grown ups Joined in
the celebration with fireworks and
last night Roman candles were being
fired In all section of the city. How
ever, only few sky rockets were 10
be seen.
Another thing that made this
christmas unlike these that have gone
before was the absence of DRINKS"
on the streets. Perhaps the closing
OF the saloons was responsible for
this to an extent. As n result the
police and a comparatively easy day
Of IL and up 10 o'clock yesterday
afternoon not a single arrest had been
made during the day. Five negroes
were arrested last night for assault
and these were the only arrests dur
ing the day aud night.
Poor Well Provided For.
In contrast 10 the dreary weather
without was the Christmas cleer
within almost every home in the city.
The poor families were we'll provided
for this year and Santa Claus this
time remembered the number on the
door of many homes thai he has been
went to forget in years gone by.
The local lodge of Elks. the Saliva
tion Army. the Second Baptist
church, the Associated Charities and
it's santa Claus bureau, and individ.
uals took care Of the poor Christmas
Eve she Elks sent out leo baskets
containing turkeys, celery, cranoer-
ries. potatoes and other good things
to eat, the baskets being delivered at
the poor home by automobiles, which
we're pressed into service.
TIE Salvation Army distribaeed
about the same number Of baskets
while the Second Baptist church sent
out about twenty baskets. making n
total OF about 2iU homes mat were
furnished with Christmas dinners.
The Associated Charities also de-
'liyered much food stun and other
necessities TO homes in all sections Of
the city. while presents were furnish
ed the children through the santa
Ciaas bareaa-
Tree fer Children.
Last rigHt the Salvation Army lad
It's snnrrl Christmas tree for the poor
children. at the army hall, 1907 Hunt
ington avenue. Standing room was ct
a premium, several hundred children
being presers- Every child was furn-
isaed with candy. toys. stocks, gloves
snd othe: things
Another Christmas tree for the lit
tie folks viii be given BY the Elks
On Wednesday night at the Elks'
home On Thirty second streer. Each
child that attends viii se given candy,
trcsts and ruts and a literary anj
mlsics. rroxram VIII be carried cut
After the youngsters depart the lodge
1iii give darce and enfertainmeut
for the members and their frienss
Services " churrhes.