100 years ago in Spangle: County infirmary inmates enjoy Christmas celebration

From our archive,

100 years ago

The 115 inmates of the county infirmary at Spangle were treated to a Christmas celebration that spread “joy and happiness” throughout the institution.

A group of young women volunteers had decorated the main dining room with a big Christmas tree, “burdened with presents ranging from suits of clothing to sacks of soft candy.”

On Christmas morning, county Commissioner W. H. McVay served as Santa Claus, reading off the names on the packages. “About 100 inmates were present” in the hall, and those who could not leave their beds were not forgotten.

“Frequent trips were made to their rooms by the gift distributors.”

After the gifts were distributed, a program of songs and readings was given, including a song from J.W. McClusky, “a blind inmate of the home.”

From the brothel beat: The city began abatement proceedings against the Logan Hotel, 508 W. Main Ave., raided a few days earlier.

The city planned to declare the 75-room hotel a public nuisance and close it for at least six months. The Japanese proprietor of the hotel had already been found guilty of running a disorderly house.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1941: During World War II, Winston Churchill became the first British prime minister to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. Churchill grimly warned that “many disappointments and unpleasant surprises await us,” but also expressed faith that “the British and American peoples will, for their own safety and for the good of all, walk together in majesty, in justice and in peace.”

1966: Kwanzaa was first celebrated.