Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-12-27
Christmas Festivities.

The season of the year held in sc
much reverence by both the young and
the old, has again passed by, and left in its
wake q thousand tender recollections
Giftgiving, one of the characteristics
OF the season, was more largely indulg-
ed in than for a number of years before
Our merchants all report brisk hol-
iday trade, and what is better, that it is
a cash business. Altogether, we think
we may safely call it merry Christ.
mas Only at two of the chuches
the Episcopal and Baptist,-were any
exercises conducted, and these we will
attempt to describe for the edifcation
of those of our readers who were not
present.
The Episcopal church, as usual, was
elegantly decorated with wreaths and
festoons OF evergreens, which struck
the beholder with their beauty upon
entering at the door. At the further
end of the edifce, stood brilliantly
lighted tree laden bounteously with the
choice gifts Of St. Nicholas. DIR. Kemp
opened the services of the evening with
a short sermon to the children on the
origin of Christmas. Music followed
and then the distribution Of presents to
the impatient, bright-eyed children, and
the more scdate grown people. Every
member Of the Church and Sabbath
School received a present, we believe
and some Of them costly and valuable
We have not space to speak further of
the exercises, but it will suffice to say
that all passed off pleasantly and to the
full enjoyment of all
The eye of the beholder was arrested
as he entered the Baptist church, by a
large arch in the front part of the ed
ifice, on which was inscribed in large
green letters, the words, Merry Christ
mas. The exercises here consisted of
singing, recitations and declarations by
the younger part of the Sabbath School
These being finished, merry jingle of
bells was heard, a curtain was drawn
aside and Santa Claus, personated by Mr.
6. n Leach, was discovered with large
sleigh loaded down with gifts. Then
followed the distribution of presents
and the exercises came to an end
The ball on Christmas night, by the
Steamer Co., was very largely attended
and netted the company $S5. Dancing
was kept up until late hour, and
passed off without disturbance.
Personal.
H. S. Palmer has been in the city
this week.
Hon. j. B Powers, of Waterloo, was
in the city on Tuesday
Tom Palmer, of Cedar Rapids, has
been in the city this week.
r. w. Fryer arrived in the city, from
Chicago, the latter part of last week.
VIM. Wachtel, one of the solid bust
ness men of Oelwein, was in the city on
Thursday last
j. p. Forester, of the firm of Hunter
4 Forester returned home last Tues
day, from New York State.
j. t. Vegiard left for Evansville, Ind,
last Sunday night, in which place he is
to bring out the Dutch Recruit"
S. H. Robertson and wife, of Fayette,
are visiting the family of their son Rev.
f. NJ. Robertson, pastor of the NJ. f.
church
Hon. Geo. w. Bemis and wife, who
have been visiting in tho city for a
week, returned to Des Moines on
Monday.
Hon. O. Slaven, Mayor of Omaha,
is visiting in the city. He was former
ly resident of independence, and his
parents are living here yet.
Miss Carrie j. Hartman. of Du-
buque, is in our city, making holiday
visit to her grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs.
j. P. Hartman, and other friends.
j. B. Gaylord, General Agent of the
Cooper 4 Baily show, arrived at his
home, in this city, last week. He has
been absent nearly two years with the
show, in Australia
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Curtis, of Lee
Mars, Iowa, have been in the city, this
week, in attendance upon the funeral
of the mother of the former, which
took place last Sunday.
Superintendent Parker, accompanied
by his sister, started, on Tuesday. for
Marshalltown, to attend the session of
the State Teachers Association which
is convened in that city this week.
|