Evening star., 1915-12-25
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Thousands Attend Early Morn
ing Services in Churches.
TREE DELIGHTS BIG CROWD
First Community Christmas Celebra-
tion Furnishes a Brilliant
Spectacle.
TREE DELIGHTS BIG CROWD
Special Correspondence of The star.

special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA. Va. December 25.-
Long before daylight thousands of men,
women and children were vending their
way to the different churches in the
city 10 join in the annual Christmas
services. AS early as ) o'clock SOL
emn high mass was celebrated at St.
Mary's Catholic Church, a capacity con-
gregation attending
Most of the Protestant churches held
services at O'Clock, and services were
held throughout the day up to IL
O'Clock. Sermons appropriate To the
observance of the day were delivered
at all of the churches. Special musical
programs were given, and in many in
stances by augmented choirs. The new
male choir of st. Marys Catholic
Church sang today. Heretofore there
had been female choir at this church.
Many Family Reunions.
Apart from the church services, there
were many family reunions and spe-
cial Christmas celebrations at different
institutions. where the inmates were
given big turkey dinners~
There were big tree and presents in
the shape of candy, nuts and toys for
the little ones at the Children's Home.
Inmates of the city almshouse and
jail were remembered with big Christ
mas dinners provided by Supt. Sher-
wood of the almshouse and Sergt. Cox,
in charge of the Jail.
The day was unusually quiet here.
Under the provisions of the Byrd liquor
law all saloons were closed. The police
report no disorder of any description.
Many merrymakers were on the
streets last night and enjoyed them
selves by blowing horns and ringing
bells. There was no discharge of fire.
works. they having been tabooed.
Community Christmas Tree.
Myriads of twinkling tiny incandes-
cent lights set Alexandria's first COM
munity Christmas tree in blaze of
glory last night, being turned on at a
given signal after the singing of ISL
lent Night, Holy Night" A large cleo
trio star was lighted at the top of the
tree. being the only illumination until
the lights were flashed on.
Stationed on the steps of the home of
w. III. Finke, Washington and Queen
streets. the American Indian Guard
Band played the six Christmas carols
that were sung, the words being
thrown on screen, as were also a
number of pictures portraying the Saw
ior's life.
The choir was under the direction of
Sherman B. Fowler choirmaster of
st. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church.
1t was composed of members of every
church choir in the city, and also. a
large delegation of students from fhe
Alexandria High School.
crowd estimated at 1000 gathered
around the towering cedar tree erected
on stand in the center of the street
at Washington and Queen streets. In
addition to the colored bulbs the tree
was decorated with tinsel and other
Christmas tree decorations, which add
ed greatly to its attractiveness. 1t
VIII be lighted each night until New
Year. Many houses in the vicinity of
the tree were brilliantly Illuminated.
John West Is Drowned.
While boating in skif Yesterday
afternoon at Quantico, Va, John West,
sixty years old, former resident of
Alexandria. was accidentally drowned.
taken to Wheatley's undertaking chapel
and prepared for burial.
The deceased for many years was
employed as conductor on the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad.
Thomas ]. Murtaugh, thrty-fve
years old, died yesterday afternoon at
his home, 1923 Duke street. Mr.. MUIR
taugh was unmarried. His funeral will
take place at $50 o'clock Monday from
St. Mary's Catholic Church.
The annual United States Army in
spection of Company G, 1st Infantry.
better known as the Alexandria Light
Infantry, will be made January 13.
Dates for the inspection of the various
companies of state troops have just
been announced by Assistant Inspector
General 10 Lane Stern.
Market Company Chartered.
Tho ctata oorporatio commission hoe