The Washington herald., 1915-12-26
ALEXANDRIA HAS
QUIET CHRISTMAS
Not a Single Arrest Made Dur
ing Day-Churches Hold
Services of Praise.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR MEET
Funeral of River Victim This After
nocn-YuIetide Mail Largest in
History of City.

Alexandria, Va, Dec. 2S.-With church
services, family reunions. ana speciai
feasts for the inmates of the various in
stftutions, Alexandria observed Christ
mas
Large congregatio attended the
church services, which were begun at 3
O'Clock with a solemn high mass In st.
Mary's Catholic Church. at which time
the male choir, recently organized. sang
for the first time. Most of the Protestant
churches held services at o'clock, and
the three Episcopal churches held serv-
ices at Ii o'clock.
The use of fireworks was tabooed. and
aside from the blowing of horns. there
was but few signs TO indicate that it was
Christmas The big community Christ
mas tree Washington and Queen streets
was Illuminated tonight and will be illu-
minated each night until New Years
The rain tonight, however. drove many
indoors early.
Prisoners at the city Jail were given
a special Christmas dinner, under direc-
ton of Sergt. r. H. Cox. and Joshua
Sherwood, superintendent Of the city
almshouse. also saw that the inmates OF
that institution were well provided for.
The quietude of the city Is best attest
ed by the fact that not single arrest
was made up to midnight. The police
report the day as being an unusually
quiet one. There were but two minor
cases called for trial in the Police Court
today. Several who started a premature
celebration were released from custody
early this morning in order to give them
an opportunity 10 celebrate Christmas
at home.
In accordance with an annual custom,
members of Old Dominion Commandery,
No. II, Knights Templar. at noon yester-
day assembled in their asylum and drank
the health of Lee S. Smith. acting grand
commander. and Joseph T. Houck, grand
commander Of Virginia The toast was
proposed by Claude W. Fletcher. emi-
nent commander.
The funeral of John West. former
resident of this city. who was drowned
while boating from a skiff at Guam
tico yesterday afternoon, will take
place at o'clock Sunday afternoon
from Wheatley's undertaking chapel
West was 81 years old and for Is
years had served as conductor
on the Pennsylvania Railroad. He is
survived by two brothers and three
West. this city. and Misses Margaret
NJ. Mary S. and Anna c. West
The Christmas mail received this
year at the city postoffice was the
biggest ever according to reports re-
ceived- Both clerks and carriers have
worked hard in disposing of the big
mail both incoming and outgoing. It
was after 1 o'clock this afternoon be-
fore the carriers finished their de-
livery.
For several days past the nine city
carriers and four rural carriers, to-
gether with two wagons have been
employed in the distribution of the
mail received here. Practically all Of
the mail received thus far had been
distributed when the carriers COM
pleted their work early this afternoon.
Assistant Inspector General Joseph Lanel
Stern has fixed upon January Is as the
date for the annual United States in
spection Of Company G. First Infantry,
better known as the Alexandria Light
Infantry.
The Old Dominion Sanitary Market
Corporation. of Clarendon. Alexandria
County, has been granted a charter by |
the State corporation commission with q |
maximum capital stock of $1,000 and 4 |
minimum of 1900 The par value Der
share Is SO. officers are: William III. |
Gaines, president. Clarendon. and Harryl
l.. Morgan. secretary and treasurer,
Thrifton.
Funeral services for Thomas J. MUIR
tsugh, who died yesterday afternoon at |
his home. 262S Duke street. will be held |
at $50 o'clock Monday morning at St. |
Mary's Catholic Church. He was 81
years old and a son Of the late Thomas |
and Anne Murtaugh. He was unmar-
ried.