Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 22, 1889, Page 19

THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: JOYOUS DAYS IN CHINATOWN, ‘Waehee John's Holidays and How He Observes Them. HIGH OLD TIMES ON NEW YEARS. But it Doesn't Fall on the Same Day the Cbristians Celevrate—They Hdve a Gift Giving Day Allee Samee. John Chinaman's Christmas, ONGOLIANS do not celebrate Christmas as do Christians, yet they have their equivalent in a holi- day which occurs in China on November 29, or, according to the ohronology of the Christiuns in this year of grace, on December 19, Priday of last weak was a gala day in Chinnand was generally respected by members of that race in this country, as far as possible. On that day, which is really the gift giving day of the year, the girls make prescuts to their parents, the son-in-law to his father-in- law and so on. Iv is not & children’s gift day by any menns, In the afternoon the Chinaman in the old country gathers hischildren and his children’s children about him and if he bonman of wealth bird’s nest soup, snails ana other oriental luxuries grace his tabl [n the United States Christmasamong the Chinese is regurded as an ultevior holiday and gencrally observed only as o matter vohicy In California, where Chinese servants employed, Christmas is 1 entobserved. On Christ- mas morning the mistress of the house is the recipient of a carved and gaily painted fan.and an inlaid box of Chinese ¢ from her servant. The master receives a large silk handkerchioef, which he can never wear, and a pair of carved ivorysleove buttons which never leave his jewel case. These gifts are given in sich a spontaneously generous manner, and with such a hearty Christ- mas greeting that the good feeling which prompted thém cannot be mis- all large cities in America the Chinese inhabitants arve, for the larger part, merely ‘“coolies,” the ignorant and laboring classes from the province of Canton. Their ap- preciation of the traditions and customs of their race are nil. They fol- low blindly any custom, or holiday, which they think will be of benefit to their business. But they never neglect business for & Christiun holiday, As Christmas falls upon Wednesday this year the local Chinaman will heat his iron, squirt the water of the Mis- souri upon the shirt bosom of the dude, and issue the little red checks with un- decipherable brush marks on them as usval, The holiday occurs Wednesday. aud as Saturday will bo the day upon which he will have to distribute the polished linen to his customers he has no time to lose. Perhaps s favorite customers will receive a small box of = Chinese confectionery, but this is as much time and expenseas the *“washee” Chinaman can give to Christmas Omaha, however, has, as citizens, seversl Chinamen who belong to the upper orders, whose fathers belonged to the nobility of China. These men dvess well, speak English almost per- fectly, and are men of means and man- ners. Dr. C. Gee Wo was asked to give the readers of THE BEE some idea of holi- day observance in China and how his countrymen in America regarded the natal duy of Christ. “The Chinese, of course,” he said. ‘*do not observe the day as the Chris- tians do. We have no Christmas tree, you understand, but we do observe t as a day of general good feeling. The Chinese business man in this uounlr{ closes up his store, puts on his silks, makes presents to his friends and enjoys him- self generally. Last Friday was gift day in my country. On thatday the sons and daughters give presents totheir parents and parents-in-law, in reverse of the custom in this country. “One of the greatest holidays among our people, the world over, is our New Years duy, which occurs ‘this year on Januury 19, T think. This holiday was established 2 little over two thousand years ngo, ut which time a terrible epi- demic devastated China, Kkilling off thousands of people. Then came a period of health and happiness, and the new era has been celebrated ever since. “On New Year’s day nothing is killed and nothing alive is harmed. On that day the Chinese boy fires unlimited fire- crackers, the same as American boys do on the Fourth of July. “It is a fact that firecrackers were manufactured as far back as 1,100 years ago, but they are, according to Chinese literature, not nearly so elaborate as formerly, When my great grandfather was a boy firecrackers were made that would shoot mto the air, explode and bring forth a bird, a kite or a dragon, *'The New Year’s holiday lusts for two weeks 1n our country, and is a con- tinual festival of parades ahd pagen- tries, feasts and merry makings, “Tha greatest holiday of the year among the Chinese occurs on May 5. This holiday wasestablished over three thousand yeurs ago, and is observed today in identally the same maunner as it was then. It is, as many Chinese celebrations arve, commemorative of a release from epidemics. 'I'he dense populution of China has made her peo- ple the vietims of scourges of disense, which,had they visited other countries, would have wiped them out entirely. **On the morning of the holiday every one who can afford it takes a large dose of medicine designed to drive awny fever and sickness. Even the mendi- cunts manage to got their annual dose of medicine, which is supposed to ward off disease until the recurrence of the holiday. **After the coremony of medicine tak- ing has been observed everyone plunges into the vortex of religious observance, which lasts for several days. ‘At this time swords are stuck into the wood above every door in the house, blood s spilled upon doorsteps, and many curious customs for diverting the entrance of disease and death are ob- served, **The various devils controlling the spiritual peace or disquietude of China- n are constantly propitiated with . ‘muio( roast pig, burnt runk and Ha, \: papers. On all holidays the t“.‘ se is liberally patronized, and “hinamen with their heads pressed to the floor before the Joss make their offerings and leave the shaven priest to wax fut.” Dr, Gee Wo, in speaking of the great wall of China, said he had seen it at several places. Its magnitude can hardly be understood by untravelled Americans, In the lowland districts the wall is ovor 100 feet 1n height, and in some places ns wide ns an ordinary city hl(wn, In the mountain districts it is narrower at the top. The wonderful building genius which enabled the Chinese of centuries ago to build this rival of the pyramids has gone entirely from the people, who are now builders of bamboo huts. The doctor tells an interesting le- gend of a break in the wall in the prov- ince of Kansuh. Centuries ago the widow of an estimable Chinese citizen discovered that the body of her hus- band had been buried beneath the many tons of stone in a scction of the wall. She wept and prayed that she might be allowed to pray over his grave, but it was impossible to remove the vast_structure which covered it, Ore night a fearful flash of lightning, accompanied by a terrific thunderbolt, descended, and that section of the wall directly over the remains was riven to atoms.” There the widow prayed for a short while, but the authorities rebuilt the destroyed portion and stopped that ceremony. Again and again it was destroyed and rebuilt, and atlength the emperor decided shat the best thing to do was to leave the grave uncovered. This was centuries aro, but the states specifleally that the lady had been, wife to thirty-six husbands. At all events, this well husbanded lady thought well enough of one of her family to invoke the heavens to hor aid, that she might weep over him. The doctor solemnly averred that this was the only lady in China who had ever been blessed with thirty hus- bands. Wing Tai, a prominent Chinese mer- chant, said that he would certainly ob- y closing his storo and giving his clerks u holiday. The laundry Chinamen, he thought, would obsorve the day in ironing linen and smoking *‘hop.” An ¥ocho Song. Exchange. Echo, tell me, while I wander Oer this fairy plam 1o prove him, If my shepherd still grows fonder, Ought I m return to love him ! Ehco—Love him, love him. If he loves, as is the fashio Ought 1 churlishly forsak: Ory 1n pity to his passion, Fondly to my bosom take Tcho—Talke hit, take him, Thy advice. then, I'll adh Since in Cupia’s chains I'v And with Henry shall not Marry, if you answer, ** Wed him.” Iicho—Wed him, wed nim. to, lod him, [ A pall-beorer at a funeral in Dorset, Vt., dropped dead while standing at the grave. Thirteen cords of wood were sawed from a single tree in Colerain township, Lancaster county. Pennsylvanin, A hoz that weighed 000 pounds was re- cently butchered near Lourel, Del. It was neavier than one of the farmer's horses. A porcupine invaded the home of a Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania, farmer and was discoversd sound as'eep in<the kitchen. It waus killed without trouble. There ha been discoverad near Visa Cal,, tho stump of a sequoia which, four fee {rom the ground, measures forty-two feet in diameter and 133 feet in circumfrence. Oue of the objects of curiosity at Kenne- bunport, Me., 18 the stone houso of Rey. E. L. Clarke, of New York, built of ros hauled out_of the sea at low tile Rev. Mr, Clarke put on his over: steered the steers part of the time himseif, A South Carolina man who was curious to know just how much stuff an ulligutor could get away with when le feit well fed out the hind quarter of a cow, seven chicl sheep, four geese and a hog's head b the roptile backed water. The cow and sheep and pouitry had died of poison, but this didn’t trouble the 'gator any. A large rattlesnake lying at the mouth of a gopher hole was Shot by a passiug sports: man, The smoke from his gun had no more than_cleared away when fiftoen or tweuty small snakes, anywhere from twelve to twenty inches 1oag, came out of the gopher hole and grabbed hold of the old snake and dragged ber hack into the hole, John Tnomas Heslop, an English 1ad, has microscopio sight, and can see us far with the naked eye as uny one can see with an or- dinary telescope. Ho suys that tho leg of an ordinary bousefiy appeurs as big us a finger to him, and he at_first supposed them o be vultures. What ho sces in a glass of bear is well worth recoraing, but s crowded out of this 1ssue, A gentleman was out shooting near Tot- nes, England, the other day, when he had tho misfortune to shoot his dog. For a wmo- ment he was too muck overcome to see what damage he had done, and before he had recovered himself the animal, a black re- triever, had come up to him, bringing 1 its wouth its own tail, which had been shot clean off. That the phosphorescence of putrid fish or meat is duo to the presence of bacteria does not seem strange, but a Krench naturalist, M. Giacd, has been muking observations of living murine crustacea, which go to nrove tnat their phosphorescence is due to the presence of bacteria in the muscles. On in- oculating healtby individuals, tho aiseased condition was transmitted. aud M. Giard’s laboratory was well lighted at night by these luminous but diseased crustaceans. James Lukens, an old colored man of Nor- ristown, was takiog a walk through the woods near that town about & week ago when his dog, a large brindle cur, pounced upon an enormous hawk in the bushes feast- ing upona wild pigeon. The dog seized the hawk by the right wiogin his teeth, and broke it. lnstantly the hawk showed fight. It bit the dog about the eyes and nos seratched him severely all over the body, and finally drove him off whimpering with his tail between his logs. Lukens took a club and killed the hawk. The bird meas- ured seven feet from tip to tip. Charles Clark, a trader in Blackington, Mass., has big brown horse that he drives in his detivery wagon. In his barnyard Clurk hes a hydrant for supplying water for use abouv the barn and outbuildings. Some days ago there was somo delay 1n giving the big brown horse his usual drink, ‘The horse walked out of the barn and, going to the hy- drant, turned the cock with his teeth, let the trough run full of water and then turned the cock off the same way o turned it on. Then he drank his till and returned to his place in the barn. Since then he has performed the same act every duy, and seems Lo enjoy it. A good cat-und-several-kittens story comes from the Whecling postoffice. It seems that when the stamp clerk opened the safe in his department about 7 o'clock one morniug, a cat that has lived in the building for a long tune stepped out and began to stretch her- self. She had been in the safe twenty-one hours, and as the compartment she occupied ,was alr-tight sho had the mr therein pretty 'well worked over aud 1t was getting somo- what stale. The cat had evidently got lone- some during its confinewent and was rather scarce of amusements to pass the time away, for when the clerk went to take out some stamps he found four small kittens snugeed together in the safe. A strange case of suspended animation occurred at the village of Kunoxville, Fred- erick county, Maryland. Samuel Garber, an aged resident of that place, was stricken with Ti"”l""’ o few days ago, but re- covere "hunulox he suffered a secona stroke and was flnally pronounced dead. otified of his demise,and ut to prepare the body for burial. It was lald on & cooling board and the arrangements for the funeral were proceeded with. Friday morning the sup- posed oo?\u snddenly showed signs of re- turning life,;-and while still om the board Mr. Garber recovered full conscioysness, Latar in the day he was reported to be |m”?vov£nl Captain A. O. Paine, of 'la., has shells and pottery taken from the mound on east bank of Indian river at the foot of tt island. These shells and fragments were taken from the mound about thirty feet below the surface, the action of the water haviog washed sy @ large portion of the mound used as a burial ground, only conch shells were taken from among the skeletons, and the curious feature of tne case 1s that in every conch shell & hole is broken in the same relative position, It is supposed that the conches were buried with the dead to be used as food 1 the happy buntiog grouuds, and to facilitate the eating process each shell was broken so that the fish could be caten without trouble, Curious Mingling of Religious Fer« vor and Worldly Esjoyment. A PARADISE OF EPICURES. Lucious Produacta ot the Confections er's Art Which Rival Those of Paris—The Family Reunions ~At the Churches. Yuletide in Mexico. Crry or Mexico, Dec. 18.—[Special to THE BEg J—Christmas time shows this city at its best. The Yuletide per- iod of festivity and feasting is observed by the Mexicans to the fullest extent. More than a month before the great day, the columns of El Monitor, the Two Republics and every other paper published in the capital are crowded with advertisoments announcing the daily arcival of large supplies of rich, substantinls and elepant daintios espe- cially adapted to Christmas cheer. Iraputo and Salamanca send fresh strawberries, richer and sweeter than any the United States can produce in June., From Inolo and its neighbor- hood come barrels upon bareels of pulque. tequila and mescal, the throo national beverages of Mexsco, all de- rived from the juice of the maguey plant. Maltrata and the ‘‘tierra caliente” or hot country beyond contribute trop- ical fruits of every i cluding many to which dwellers \ states ave utter strangers. Vayal 1 should never have done were I to enu- merate half the various parts of this country which send delicacies to the capital to tempt rich epicures and tan- talize needy ones at the solemn and joyous season of Christmastide. A full fortnight before noche buena (literally good night, but also used in Mexico to signify Christ- mas ve), there i sgular invasion of turkeys in to the city. Mexico rivals the United States in its fondness for these popular bipeds and large flocks of them ave always to beobserved in every country place.” Immense numbers of them ave now seen pouring through all the streets and gates—for Mex still surrounded by the old ci rected by the Spaniards, filling the air WITH HARMONIOUS CLUCKING and tempting the appetite of the citi- zens They are driven as American farmers drive sheep or cows, by queer looking, oddly built fellows in red sorapes and big sombreroes who are armed with long, taper wands and de- vote all the energies of their being to marshalling their noisy proteges and to preventing them from being run over by passing vehicles, of which they are in great danger, notwithstanding the evident good will of the coach- men, These turkey drivers possess re markable tact and skill which is di played to the best advantage when two rival flocks meet at the intersection of two thoroughfares, Dashing in among the mingling birds with their wands at rest they pick out the stragglers, meth- o confusion and separate without any loss or interchange of property. All this is the work of a moment. As the droves proceed on their perilous pil- grimage their numbers rapidly dimin- ish. The well-skilled eye of the hous: wife, big with fate, pounces upon them from different heights and stories and selects tt ctim at a glance. The ten 3 ) he asks for the bird are turned into a knotted corner of his serape and the turkey is borne off in triumph by his new mstress de- spite his inflamed and ugly coun- tenance and the resolute struggling and picking of his long tapor toes stretched out to their fullest ex- tent. Of all the shop windows so gay and brilliant in their holiday attire, none shine so brightly as do those of the co fectioners, Oil' and wax lights (ve fow shops in Mexico burn gas) do their utmost to display to the best advantage the rich designs in pastry and dulces (sweetmeats) with which® those win- dows are crowded. There isno place in the world where the confectioner’s art js bogter understood or its products brought to a higher degree of perfec- tion than in Mexico. Many old Mexican residents assure me that this is largely due to the fact that this country, prior to 1857, when they were abolished by law, contained a vast number of monks and nuns, a class of dovotees who are said to be the greatest possible connoisseurs in all kinds of sweet- meats, Be that as it may, the interesting fact remains, as Mr. W, 8. Gilbert would say, that to ax American the window of every large confectionery in Mexico is a revelation of the possibilities of the confectioner’s art, crowded as 1t is with cakes of such an elaborate churacter as is NEVER SEEN IN TIE STATES, many of them counsisting of numerous alternate layers of the richest creams of various colors and flavors, sugarved and glaced fruits, etc. Parisian con- fectioners may surpass their Mexican rivals in the gorgeous laying out of their wares, but the best judges would be apt to award’the palm of superiority in point of intrinsic merit to the Mex~ icans. ‘When thrown into the midst ofa busy, bustling crowd, one should always follow the main stream, especially if he wishes to see what is going on, and upon this sound principle I would recom- mend you to allow yourself tobeshoved, pushed, elbowed and trodden upon, all the way from the rich display of sweet- weats in the Colles de San Francisco and Plateros until you are launched into the spacious and handsome square of the Plaza Mayor, This plaza was destined from its in- fancy to be an eye-witness ot sights and executions, public dances, royal bull fights, coronation pageants, fighting and declaring for and against the pepa (constatution), fairs and markets, but blase as the Plaza Mayor may therefore well be as regardssight-seeing, it never beheld and never can behold a more varied, pictures ue and animated scene than that which may be viewed within its precincts on any nvening of the week preceding Christmas, but more especially upon noche buena (Christmas eve) itsell, Even the most unlucky pedestrian in all this great throng whi h crowds the Plaza Mayor and eve_ surges up against the massive walls©f the grand old cathedral standing sentinel-like at its head, he who has lost a loosely fit- ting hat in the course of his progress to the desired goal, or who has had his pocket picked, (Mexican pick-pockets are the most expert of all artists in their line), or whose ribs have been bruised and his corns trodden upon even, be must find some alleviation of his misfortunes and miseries in the contemplation of the scene thay meets Lis gaze, If the display of good things had been specially prepared to torment some modern Tantalus, it could not betteér serve vhe purpose. Numerous flaming torches throw a rich, orimson glare upon the winning brimnney of jellies, ortfully heightened by & light placed behind them to display their transpar- ency; red ‘es'oons df chorios (oranges) | hams both salt and appetizing combi weot; a thousand ation of hog, fruit, and sugar: luckless capons reflecting upon past misfortunes, and fatted turkeys lying infetters betweon . matic heaps of apples, figs, oranges, lemons, bananas .and countless other delicious fruits. Navidad or Christmas brings the pleasures, it also illustrates the truth of the old saying that there is no rose without a thorn, by bringing some un- pleasant features, #lso. Among the lat- tor may inglude the indis- pensible and _ bfpensive duty of all old friends . and tertulions (members of the same circle of acquaint- ances) to set their wits to work and empty their purses in regalos (treats) of sweetmeats and frioleros (trifles) to all who have any right or reason to ex pect them. Such us aspire to be fine- zas (gallants) must 1nvite their fair friends to assure themsdlves of the ex- cellence of the confectioner ware§, and troops of bewitching Scnoritas may be scefi in the sweetmeat shops on the Calle de.San I'rancisco, the Calle de Los iPlateros and other fashion- able* thoroughfares, readily com- plying with the invitation of their deb- onair escort and swallowing elaborately constructed cakes, caramels, chocolates and custards by the dozen. with that euso and grace so characteristic of their sex. These flattering little attentions are but the preludes to the important cere- mony of celebrating the NOCHE BUENA ON CHRISTMAS EVE. This night is consecrated by old custom to family enjoyment, to which only a few relatives or very intimate friends are admitted. It is not considered del- icate for the less intimate members of the tertulin to vresent themselevs on that occas’on, If they d adios (good bye) before 10 o' v ted idas y oneltas (goings out and comings in) of the lady of the hou her daughters, and the wyste looks and signs of the servants at the half opened door will save them the trouble of consulting their watches. At the first of these indications they may safely and discrectly take their bats and rest assured thaithey are conferring a favor by going. When the family is left to them selves there is some sipping, of wine and nibbling of refreshments. Jokes are passed, old memories of by-gone Christmas eves are recalled, and so the time passes until evory watch in the room declares that **it wants but aquar- ter of “And we ure sitving here! ‘We shall be late for the misa del gallo (mass of the coc Quanita, bring me my shawl!” **And mine, too. What chureh shall we go to, Santo Domingo, Profeso or Santa Brigida? I would rather go to the last named, if it w not so far away, for the music there is s0 fine.” I propose that we go , Senora. It 1s if the orchestra is not quite so it might be, ono is always sure of meet- ing good company there. It is always well attended, the muchalhas (young ladies) will see all the lechu- quinos (dudes) of the capital.” The mass of thé cock above alluded to is a high mass of the grandest, most im- posing character, which is celebrated with the greatest pomp in every one of the 126 Catholic churches in the City of Menxico exactly at midnight on Christ- mas eve or morning, to commemorate the birth ot the Savior. All of the large flourishing ch heshavea great- ly augmented choir and a large orches- tra specially engagzed for the occasion. The altars and the eutire church are elaborately decoratéd and brilliantly illuminated. The m: is celebrated by along tr: iests and acolytes with every f and concom tant that can in any possible w. heighten its e t and grandeur. In the grand old ecathedral thero is dis- played o complote representation of the nativity in wax figures of life size. At midnight the signal for the mass to begin 18 given by the crowing of a real cock,as it al ' many other churches, Itis from this feature that the cere- mony derives its name of misa de! gallo or mass of the cock. This midnight service is very largely attended, and it is highly edifying to see so many Chris- tians out of their beds at such an hour and for such a purpose, although it is scarcely to be supposed that all the boevies of young ladies and groups of young men wno throng the churches are actuated solely by religious motives. They arrange long beforehand to make tho round of the ghurches together, as they thus secure means of communica- tion and opportunities to WIHISPER SWEET THINGS in each othe ears not so easy to ob- tain at home. The ladies and gentlemen of our ter- tulin above mentioned having deter- mined on a visst to” the midnight mass at the church of La Profesa are soon heard chatting along the street, the high, brazen-shod heels, for which all Mexican ladies have a great fonduess,s sustaining a staccato ac- companiment to the voices of their mistresses. They wend their way up the Calle de San Francisco to the corner of the third thoroughfave of that name and the Calle de San Jose El Real, and are soon within the densely crowded walls of La Profesa, - “Vaga! What 8 crowd! How bril- liantly lighted the church is! What a number of fine young men, too! Inez, take some holy water and sprinkle some upon Conchita; she cannot reach it,” With these devout observatioms the ladgies neel and compose themselves for the service. The men put their canes in their mouths and try to amuse themselves as vest they can until the mass 18 over by ogling the senoritas who throng the sacred edifice. Then they escort their tertulia home again, with 0ach ‘othor, & dood descouro. and much amusement, fo¢ the following day, and with a few sleepy words nbout pavos (turkeys), jamonos (hams)’ and good appetites, they separate. But though so much is made of Christ- mas by grown-up people in Mexico, the children, us a rule, do not fare so well as their little brothers and sistersin the states, The Christmas tree, without which po American'home is complete at Yule tide, is absolutely unkvown in Mexico, even the resident Americans boing compelled 16 deny their children that enjoyment on account of the diffi- culty of procuring it here. Still, a vast number of toys aredisplayed in all the stores and market places, including all that we havein the Unitea States and some of Mexican design and manufac- ture tABt are never seen 1n our contry. Parents and loving friends buy these liberally for the little Mexicans, and as they have also plenty of dulces (sweet- meats), and have never heard anything about a Christmas tree, perhaps they are quite as well off after all asif the, haa one of those American pines whic! dirty the house and ure scarcely worth the trouble, time and money they cost. ANNIE J, MARKHAM, - The Hand 1 Love. Datroit Free Press. That hand of thine! that hand of thine! Reproach me not that still I pine Aud long my loviug grasp to twie .Around that darling hand of thine. Fair ones that were all round that night, And as of two I caught a sight, T bet iy pile—I thought [ wight— 1bad & full, you, four, that night. The Fire Department of Omaha From Its Barllest Times. WAS T ORGANIZED, Tne Gallant Lads Who Composs No. 1and the Beautifal Homos Which They Have Provided for Themselves. The Fire Laddies. Among the many, many things that Omaha has to be proud of is her fire de- partment, which at the present time is second to none in the country in the matter of efliciency and equipment. Six splendidly drilled companies located in various portions of the city stand renay to protect the property of citizens at any time and have within their con- trol all the wodern improvements for a fire quenching. Hydrants are located all over the city from which pressure enough is obtained to throw er over the tallest building in the o How very unlike the days of 1860 when under command of I Sheckles, the foreman, W. J. Kennedy, J. F. Sheely, P. W. Hitchcock, Bred Krug, Jim Megeath and others of old Pi- oncer ITook and Ladder compauy carf water in buckets; or, later, when, with the hand engine “Fire King” Charlie Goodrich, Dan and Bill Shull, Jake Markel and others pumped water out of rnumerous wells and cisterns constructed by the city on vacant lots and street in- tersections. When ‘‘Fire King” was vurchased the people of the city, which was then a mere village, were enthusi- ic. No more danger from fire. All was scoure. And, when Andy Simp- son, in 1865, purchi Fire King, No. 2, which was run by Dick McCormick and oth fears were entertaine d tha oven the stoves would refuse to perform their allotted task so potent the agent for suppressing conflagrations that nestled snugly in its little house. But,as time wore on, It was found that hand engines were not exactly adapted to all purposes and in 1866 a Silsby fire engine wus purchased. In 1868 Hose company, No. 1, was organ- ized. Pat O. Hawes claims the distinction of having taken the first steps toward forming the company which was the outgrowth of a demand for lower rates of insurance in the north part of tne city. The vicinity of Eighteenth and Nicholas streets was almost wholly without protection in those daysand the insurance companies were charging arate of 5 per cent. The property owners groaned under the burden, but were told that if they took measures to protect themselyes their rates wouid be low er. Accordingly steps were taken toward the organization of a fire company to be known as Hose company No. 1,which wera soon successful, and in a short time this new orgaunization was perfected. Martin' Dunham was chosen president, and W. R. Bentley secretury. George Owens, J McCormick and Judge W. P. Kelley among the members. The eugine house was located at Twen- tieth and Izard streets. Joe Sheely was, chief engineer at the time the resolu- tion authorizing the purchase of the lot passed the eity council. This company continued to do good service until the organization of the paid department. But the number one company of to- day is different trom the old company. d of watching to see where the blaze was in order to locate a fire, an electric bell gives the loca- tion. Where once a hand engine awmted the ready hands that haulea it to the fire, modern appliances stand waiting. Hose No. 1 occupies a substantial building at Twenty-fourth and Cuming. Second Assistant Chief J. J. Barnes is in command, while Cap- tain Lue Cassidy manages the cart. Cassidy is a veteran fireman, who has served the city long ana faithfully, He has been at every fire of consequence for yenrs. He has seen his comrades brave the smoke and flame, and was ever ready to lend a helping hand. Once, at the burning of the Grand Cen- tral, he saw five brave men lose their lives in behalf of those they are paid to protect. The men who are associated with him are none the less brave, P. Dempsey, Horace Clemens, James B Conley ‘and George Anderson ave th names of the hardy fellows who ride on the machine at its terrific pace in his company. From the Eleventh street viaduct on the south to Fort Omaha on the north and to the west end of Cuming street on the west they have ridden together. With them in the same house is truck No. 2 and its crew, under com- mand of Captain J. J. Simpson. George Cregan is the driver, while Cormick, Frank Henness, Michael Cuff, C. C. Ellington, J. J. Ormsby and Tom Tobin dothe work atthe fire, They area great team and their work needs no special mention, The incidents connected with this company’s history are few. It bas lost no men of late by accident or otherwise, It is perbaps the finest equipped com- pany in the city and on going up stairs one would almost imagine himself in the sleoping apartment, of aclassina Indies seminary were ‘it not for the brass rods thatrun up and down through the holes in the floor through which the boysslide down when the gong sounds its sonorous alarm. The pillow shams are covered with lace, the spreads on the beds are the purest white. Elegant pictures adorn the walls, A piano stands at one end and everything is pleasunt, In the rear isa workshop where all manner of nandsome bric-a- brac is turned out during leisure hours, but paramount is the motto, **We Never Sleep. No, 1 lives up to that motto first, last and all the time, and ranks among the leading companigs of the Omaha de~ partment. e The girlwho has rejectod & man never reads his marriage notice two years after- ward without saying to herself: *Poor fel- low! I really hope he wil! be bappy,” and all the time she doesn’t mean it The soil of Bradford couuty, Florids, is snid to impart n peculiar gloss to strawber- ries, making_them look av if varnished, and wving tho berries a beautiful appearance. t1s duo to the silica in the soil. WM. F. WAPPICH, ATTORNEY AT LAW, Late Bocretary Board of Public Work: mercial law and collections, Notary Public, 403 Bee Hulldi Heal es The Celobrated Muckinaw Crused per ton, For Sale only JOHNSON BROS TRANSFER LIIE- 914 Farnam 8t. ‘Dealers in Hard ang Sofy Telcphoue 1062, o8 DRS. BETTS & BETTS 08 FArNAM STREET, OMAnA, NEn (Opposite Paxton Hotel.) Holiday PRESENTS 1 FOR GENTLEMEN, Silk Umbrellas. Silk Underwear. Silk Mufflers. Silk and Linen Hanakerchiafs | Neck Wear. Night Shirts, i Smoking Jackets. | I fastavarythiry in Man's Fur- | nishings can batound at Office hours, 0 a. m., to 8 p, m. p.m, Spocialists in Chronie, ensos. §&-Consultation at office or by mail freo. Medi- cinos sent by mail or expross, securely packed, free from observation. Guarantees to euro quickly, safe: Iy and permanontly, Sparmatorrhma, semi NERVOUS DEBILITY Riitoscs i slons. « e, productn i Sundays. 10n. m., to ous, 8kin and Bloot Di- Safely, porman- ¥ y cured. Consalt Drs. Botts & Betts, 1408 Farnam Stroet, Omatia, Neb. Blood and Skin Disgasss, witivisvedietvits radicated withont the ail of l:\ll'gg_r H;BIGRIJ?SUMIOM RUN R b 5 meroi i, orysipelns, fove ulcors, \ o hena and bone tongue, caturrl, ol s huve tailed. Kl(lllflY. Ul‘lna}‘ and_Bindder Complaints, Painful, Difficult, too fro- quent bu or biGody urine, irine high dimont on standing, weak bao Promptly and safely STRICTURE! moval complef Cures effecte Pain or annoyance To Young Men and Middle-Aced Men, Ted rended fils, pormer DRS, BETTS Address those who have tm. Duired themselves by fmproper indulizences and and solltary Wabits, which ruin both Dody And mind, unitting tem for businoss, stady or marriage MARIIED MEN, ‘or those ontering on_that happy 15, wwar Of phy siclal debLILLY quickly assistod: OUR SUGCESS. , first Ve Sores, blotohos, sypullitio sord pormaaently Guaranteed per- manent Cuire, re- withont cutting, canstio or diliat e by patient without & moments M. W, CoR, | 3TH & Donok 518, OMAHA, NEB, FOR THK TREATMRNT OF ALL ORRON e STRGIAL DSnAces BIER.AOXRS APPLIANCES FOR DEFORMITIES AND TRUSSES. Bl pupatyistehorts - MEDICAL or l‘{!filflll T TRENT, © T, NINET {+] O! \ JNETY BESRA TN BATickTe 07"WRITE FOR ovflmun Deformitios and s e By o O et ek { srighon il lootri Paralysis, Xpils e i, Mo aaiBlcod gt il Burg st Upartionst BiiEat s O it I bee afipratis ISEASES 0 Disenser i .Y ADDRD A LYING:1X DUFARTNENT ¥OI WONEN DURING CORFINRMENY. (STRICTL k) Ouly Reliable Medioa) Tntitute s biog 4 lp".'.Wey of ERIVATE DISEA which brings organic mind fod boy, with sl cured. Ts based upo: n fao practical experionce, seo- Y enso 1 w for colobrate ate diseuses. tter or call may gav . e, undndd golden'vea life $#CNo letters answered unless accompanied by 4 cehts in stamps. Address orcall on DRS, BETTS & BETTS, Dr.J.E. MGCREW The Well Know pecinlist, » 18 unsurpassod in the troatment of ailforms of PR DIKEASES i B e S S i i PENNVROYAL PILLS. 1‘.3.‘.‘{'.;1.’:.;."&'«!3.‘.{; RED CROSS DIAMOND BRAND, send stamps for roply. < aremale Diseases CON SULTATION ¥RER, crot,” £o; or Woinan, e 10 cents (st Rafe, vuro and always reilatle. Lod Tasint ot DlAmend Brand, s ol et borets Ssated with bl ribbor o 0f) Feuide sioh b parieiars sk SHEeG oa i latter, by veturmmil. Nam GhiCREA e Ohem] Go.. Radson Sun Fbta. Manhood “Ecronee: DY PuEy.—A v sing Prematuro D rous DeTRY. Losk » causing Promature Decay: Norvous Devility, — OFFICE: SlAnhiod, & baving trjed in vain every known e dy, has discovered II:I- means of self-cure, w B3 willsend (peatis FIILE to his fellow-aulerint, Kadrom Cor, 1310 & Jackson Sts, Omaha | EaSiisRitbin iRt N EXPLANATION! Of the Method of Gonducting the Auction Sale of Max Meyer & Bros’ Jewelry Stock You can ask for and examine any article be- fore you, have it offered, and then have it put up at once, thus enabling you to get it with very little delay. REMEMBER, the QUALITY of every article is GUARANTEED as represented. Sales Daily, 10:30 A. M,, 2:30 P. M. 7:30 P. M, The store is for rent and fixtures for sale. J.H. FRENCH, Auctioneer. For the Holiday Trade ' Boy's Chests of TOOLS, Fine Table and Pocket Cutlery. CARVING SETS, SCISSO SSORS AND SKATES HIMEBAUGH&TAYLOR 1405 Douglas-st, Omaha S.E, Best Gold Spectacles Reduced 8400 Ramge Block, Corner 15th and Harney Streets, Omaha,