The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-30
Christmas Jubilies.

Christmas eve was well thought of at
all Of our churches, where old Santa
Claus made himself conspicuous, in dis
trtbuting presents and gladdening fthe
hearts of the little ones. The follow
ing description at the various places,
furnished by the Mankato correspon-
dent 10 the Pioneer Press cannot be
improved, hence We give it entire:
At the Presbyterian church there was
hardly standing room. The children
were all placed in the forward part of
the building in classes with each teach
er NJ their post, and the remaining seats
were filled with parents and friends.
The exercises were opened by the sing
ing of a Christmas carol by the choir,
followed by few very appropriate re.
marks and prayer by Rev. J. b. Little.
The choir followed with two choice
selections, and in the meantime it was
noticed that there was considerable
commotion in the vestibule. After the
choir had finished there was a moments
silence, and then old Santa Claus in the
person of Mr.. Harry Knowlton, went
charging down the main aisle. His en-
trance was heralded by a shout from
the younger and smile from the older
portion of the audience. After quiet
had been restored old Santa wished all
merry Christmas, and made the first
present, Il tin horn, TO Rev. Mr.. Little,
10 call his flock together. and to Miss
Kate Rob, the Sunday school organist,
a small doll baby, or, in his language,
little one 10 take care Of" After dis
tributing his good things with lavish
hand he made his exit. Then came the
distribution from the tree. The first
was a purse with $50 in gold, from the
members of the church to Mrs. Lue
Baker, as a slight reward for services
in the choir. Mrs. NJ. &. Willard, from
her class, beautiful piece of statuary.
Mrs. DR.. Harrington, the same, from her
class Mr. Little, was presented with
Fosters Cyclopidia Of Prose Illustrations
There were many other beauti-
full and useful presents, but lack of
space forbids our giving any more.
Each child received present from its
teacher and vice versa. After the tree
had been stripped the choir rendered
one more fine selection, and that ended
Christmas, 1880, NJ the Presbyterian
church.
The Baptists gave IA supper 10 all
their school children, it was at early
candle, in order that the little ones
might not be kept up late. II was a
very enjoyable occasion.
At the Episcopal church tree was
found, loaded down with presents, and
old Santa Claus was disposing Of
presents As recklessly as one could i'm
aginc. Ii made lots of sport for the
children, and We Judge that the recol
lections of youth were crowding fast
through busy brains of the older por-
ton Of the audience, by the happy coun-
tenances that were visible. The cxer-
cises were interspersed with carols,
sung by the whole school.
The Methodist brethren were not one
whit behind any OF the rest. Their
tree was very fine and bent underneath
its vast loud. Old Santa Claus was per-
sonatcd by Mr.. Martin, the presiding
elders son, and lac kept all in a good
mood by his pranks. The singing was
very good, and We are certain that the
children went home to dream Of the
little old man with the big white beard
black twinkling eyes and pack on his
back, who was making good children
presents.
The following personal gifts were also
received the next day: Miss Kate Marks
beautiful 1915 sealskin sacque and
muff from friends in st. Paul. Mrs
Justice i. X. Johnson was made happy
by gold headed cane with his initials
engraved thereon.
The Christmas ball at Union Hal
Friday night attracted n large
crowd and many were the Iaco'
miums showed upon the management
for the success that attended it. Satur
day evening at the same place was an
other scene as the various presents were
distributed