Evening star., 1937-12-19
By John Clagett Proctor.

ny JOHU 1kUSELE lTOCIO1
Christmas comes but once year
Jennie get your hoecake done. my
dear"
~ UT once year was . long,
long time when the present
oldsters were youngsters,
- though now one has hardly
passed before another one seems just
around the corner. and, unlike the
phantom Prosperity, is here again be-
fore we know 1t.
In the early days of Washington,
Christmas was not observed in the
same spectacular way 1t Is celebrated
today, although the difference during
the past go or 10 years, to an old
timer, is not at all considerable, for
today, as of yore, we find the same
Christmas tree, the same stockings
hung by the chimney with care, the
same or similar toys, candies, Just
about what we used to have; the same
neckties, socks and bad cigars, and
the same turkey, cranberry sauce and
mince pie and the ever-present flow
ing bowl
Prior to 1840, we are told, with the
majority of people Christmas was only
a holiday to some, and in the exec
utive departments, if the condition of
the business permitted, holiday was
given the employees from noon the
Gath to the 26th of December. AL
though the Government Offices were
open for business, but few employees
made full time, for some of the clerks
were absenting themselves, leaving
their associates to keep up the press
ing routine work.
HOWEVER, to the majority of peo-
pie, Christmas was looked upon
to be just what it is, religious ami
versary, and the Roman Catholic
Churches, the Episcopal Churches,
and probably few others, held di-
vine services commemorative of the
birth of the Lord. And this custom,
OF course, is still kept up by a num-
Der OF the churches and the more
religious-minded residents.
Ihe private schools were closed for
the holiday week, but the two public
schools, which were in operation until
1874, when the number was increased
oy Two, usually closed on the day be-
lore Christmas and often opened the
Gay after, but study during the week
was a matter Of form to the few
pupils IN attendance, and was actual
~ more play than study. But, some
tlmes, much to the delight of the
children, the school trustees opened
tnelr hearts and permitted the schools
TO be closed for the entire week.
About the earliest forms of amuse-
ment INDUCED in on Christmas in this
city were much along the lines of what
today forms the principal excitement
on independence Day-which, of
course, includes flrecrackers, fireworks
and the explosion of firearms, and the
latter dates back to the very begin
nlng OF the city. Indeed, in the story
OF the old African slave, Yarrah, who
lived in Georgetown, we are told that
at least up to 1911 his great delight on
Christmas morning was to fire a gun
under the windows of such families
as were his friends, as signal for a
dram, which was always soon forth
coming, and many will recall that
colored boys or young men would 60
around In groups in Washington and
sing plantation and other songs in
front of the homes of the more sub
stantial white residents as recent as
30 or 60 years ago for whatever
money or handout they might receive,
and to those who passed through that
period. and heard them sing the
natural blending Of their voices will
never be forgotten The writer re-
calls only three songs they sang
Goodnight, ladies'" Nellie Was a
Lady" and Aunt Dinah's Quilting
Party"
HE ringing Of bells throughout the
city was an early custom, and in
this the volunteer fire companies par
t1clpated, as did the churches which
were equipped with bells, and the old
time horn, similar to those carried
by the oyster men, of fond recollec-
ton, helped out in the bedlam.
Mrs. Anna Maria Thornton, wife
OF Dr. William Thornton, whose plan
Tor the Capitol was accepted April S,
1893. In her diary for Thursday. De-
cember rs, 1900, tells of a very quiet
day, but does not even speak of it as
Christmas. She says: Another fine
day-the weather has been delightful
for some time past. Poor Mr.. Scott
died this morning. He Is a great loss
both as public and private man.
He leaves wife and seven children.
Mr.. Stoddert stopped at the door.
DR.. T. went with him to church at
the Capitol. He afterwards went to
see Mr.. Jefferson. Returned to din
ner. Mr.. Stickney called, invited to
dinner, but he was going to a shoot
ing. Mr.. Field painting. Mr.. Blodget
went out but returned to dinner. DR..
T. wrote to Mr.. White. In the eve
nlng the gentlemen were all drawing.
writing, etc, and playing when Mr..
Harper called. He sat till IL O'Clock.
Did not get to bed till near l."
The Mr. Scott here referred to. was
Gustavus Scott, one of the city's early
commissioners, who bought, in 1904,
40 acres Of land Of the Holmead estate
called Rock Hill, and built upon it a
mansion. Mr.. Scott died in 1900 and
the property later was bought by joel
Barlow, who changed its name to
Kalorama.
DURING the lives Of many still
with us Christmas was a great
day for parties, balls, entertainments
and the like, all over the city. MANY
years ago. It was also a time when
talented pupils of the public schools
were shown off to advantage by their
teachers and Prof. Joseph H. Daniel.
VINO never lost an opportunity in doing
so. And thus we find one of these
entertainments being held at Carroll
Hall, then on G street between Ninth
and Tenth streets, an account of
which follows: