Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-25

dren, all of whom were overjOyed at the
big surprises in store for them.
Inmates of the city almshouse were
also given a Christmas dinner at noon
today by Superintendent Joshua Sher-
wood.
Happiness was brought into twenty
homes of poor families last night
through the generosity of citizen who
desired that his identity be not disclosed.
Twenty baskets, each filled with a ham
provisions. were left at police head
quarters by him for distribution among
the worthy INDECENT of the city.
The police played the part of Santa
Claus and obtained a wagon and soon
had the baskets distributed among
them being many elderly people.
Recipients of the baskets were simply
told they came from Santa Claus and
were wished a merry Christmas by the
policemen engaged in distributing them.
The result was untold happiness among
those fortunate enough to get them.
The services at the various churches
held this morning were attended by
large congregations The o'clock
mass at st. Marys Catholic Church was
attended by an unusually large con-
gregation. Collections at all of the
masses were taken up for the orphans
of the diocese of Richmond.
Services at Grace Episcopal Church
were held at 1880 and 1890 o'clock.
Services at Christ and st. PauPs Epis-
copal churches were held at IL o'clock.
Special prayer meeting services were
held this morning at o'clock ait the
Methodist Protestant Church.
Home and Effects Destroyed.
Martha Reynolds. colored. living al
sos Wolfe street, was made homeless
as the result of fire which destroyed
two-story frame tenement shortly
after IL o'clock this morning. The fire
started on the second floor, used as
a bedroom, and when the firemen ar
rived the flames had gained consider
able Roadway, spreading to the ad-
joining house, used as wood and coal
office by w. A. Mcdowell. colored
After half an hours work the fire.
Iben subdued the fire.
The Reynolds woman's effects were
however, destroyed and those not de-
stroyed by fire were damaged by wa
ter. The woman wept and became
historical as she saw her little home
being burned. She was assisted to q
house nearby by neighbors. A sick
nan, son of the Reynolds woman
was removed to a place of safety in
lime and escaped injury.
William Berkeley, colored, last night
picked up a small hand valise at the
union passenger railway station ano
started to walk away with it. when hi
vas halted by the owner and afterwaro
turned over to Special Officer Norris o,
he railway company.
In the police court today Berkeley sale
! had taken it through a mistake. think
ing 1t the valise of another man fol
whom he had agreed to carry it. Wher
searched at police headquarters Police
man Beach found a razor on the pris
oner. Berkeley was sent TO Jail for sixt,
lays.
Herbert Willis. colored, charged will
making his escape from the city Jail, wa.
sent back to that institution. Willis es
capped more than a month ago. He was {
, ''trusty' at the jail and has a month We
to serve. He returned last night t,
spend Christmas lat home"
Harvey Yancey and Robert Lee botl
colored. were charged with being disor
| derby and fighting. Yancey claimed h.
had been hit over the head with a stow
| lid last night by Lee He however. di,
not desire him punished, and both wer
acquitted. Charles Frazier, colored, ar
rested by Special Officer Prittle for tres
passing in Alexandria county. 10 beini