Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-22
0LD-T|ME HOLIDAYS
Observance of Christmas Six
ty Years Ago.
DISPLAYS I'm THE SHOPS
Congress Has Long-Drawn-0ut Con.
test Over Speakership.
EPISODE IN LOCAL THEATER
WashinGtonians Provide Literally
for the Table and Decorate With
Lavish Hand.
EPISODE IN LOCAL THEATER

for the Table and Decorate With
Lavish Hand.
About this time, sixty years ago. the
people of Washington, then numbering
less than 4O.OOO-one-third colored. free
and slave-were actively preparing fol
Christmas, while the political world wa,
| interested in the memorable contest FOL
Speaker of the House which resulted II
the election of Howell Cobb of Georgia
This delayed until Christmas eve the de-
livery of the message OF President lay
lor, which the country was anxiousl5
awaiting.
Nevertheless, in the old-time way, the
holiday preparations went on in every sec
ton. Before the day arrived the stores
and shops made attractive displays OF
goods and In the residential sections
there was evidence of good cheer IN the
air-delicious doors from the kitchens
where mince pie, cakes, ETC.. were being
provided-for few families bought theil
mince pies, most of them following tine
receipts handed down by their Tor
bears. Department stores were unknown
the nearest approach being compi.ia
ton of baker, confectioner ana 10Y
dealer, and some small variety stores
with few of general supplies.
The markets then were sheds the
Center, Western, Navy Yard and North,
ern-but they grew in attractlveness ano
attendance as the day approached. Inc
pared with those OF today. The dealer.
paid most attention to making their
goods sell themselves by their attractive
form and not to dressing their stalls.
The city of perhaps 5000 houses sus.
tanned the reputation for magnificent
distances; few Of the streets had been
impaoved: the use Of gas was only In the
larger buildings and on few avenues ana
streets, facilities for travel were Hmlted
to hacks and few omnibusses on the
and "levies," Ga and 121s cents-and in
short in very different age 1t seems
now that the Washingtonians were living.
Nevertheless. the holidays were days OF
enjoyment for which extra preparations
were made and the spirit Of good will was
manifest.
Roast Beef and .Possum.
Turkey was not so much sought for
as now, for some families preferred
roast beef, not few sought 'possums
and others venison, then quite plentiful,
and duck was popular with others. Small
1ooS
were in demand at 10 to 10 cents per
dozen, required for eggnog. as well
as cooking and eating purposes.
There was q very limited trade In
Christmas trees, holly and green's, for
the former could be had for the cutting
within the city limits. and one had out
a short distance to go for all such ma
terial on Chisum's and Red BIRD mis-.
south of the Soldiers Home, and In ..s
vicinity the boys found supply Tor tnelr
mothers. Most Of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
crosses. stars and festoons-were then
made at home, but since the abolition OF
slavery, many Of the former servants
have engaged in such work.
In the churches and In some families
flowers and vines were used. The mistie-
toe was much sought after Tor parties
and the few florists here were Kept busy.
Douglas Brothers, at 18th and u streets'
George Mcleod, who had succeeded to
the Buist gardens, on II street, between
18th and 10Th streets; Pierce and cam
mack, on 14th street. and others had
big list Of customers.
TOYS OF much more simple character
than are the present styles were in vogue,
and were an addition to the stock car
Fied by confectionery and fancy. stores,
and to even the grocery and liquor stores.
Every year Frank Colclazer confec-
toner on 7th street. had a toy depot on
Louisiana avenue east of 7th street; Mrs.
Ailer on 7th street above H street; Mrs.
Kepplar, 18th and G streets; James
O'Meara. on Pennsylvania avenue, near
I'd street, were prominent in the toy
business. The business was also engaged
in by auctioneers. Green & Tastet, on
the Avenue east of 7th street; Dyer &
Brother. 10th and d streets, and others
keeping them in stock. George Savage
variety store, Pennsylvania avenue near
9th street, and John w. Badens. hard
ware dealer. carried metal toy stock.
Holiday books were a speciality in the
stationery stores. At Joe Shillington's.
In the Odion building, Az street and
Pennsylvania avenue, many children
books were on sale and the store in which
Calhound, Clay. Webster and Benton often
met and passed time was oyerrun by
boys and girls. Frank Taylor. on the
avenue between AZ and 9th streets, car
ried gift books in profusion. W. NJ. Nor
rison's speciality at his store west of Az
street was law books, but he sold hOli-
day books at auction. Taylor & Maury.
between 9th and 10th streets; W. F. Bay
ley and Garrett Anderson. between 18th
and 18th streets: Robert Farnham. 18th
street, also provided presentation books
c. Brooke. near 18th street and Pennsyl-
vania, carried line of books and fan
cy goods: James Nourse corner of 10th
and streets, carried religious books and
papers, and Austin Gray, on 7th near H
street, similar stock
Confectionery Stores Numerous