Wichita eagle., 1886-12-25
CHRISTMAS!
Old Kris Krinkle, the Jolly Old
Soul, was Out with
His
Reindeer Driving Through the
Cold, Hunting Happy
Children
Wheresoe'er He Went, Gladden1ng
Scores OF Girls and Boys Oh Mirth
and Frolic Bent.
He Found them with their Mas and
PAS at the Churches, as see
Follows:
THE CHURCHES.

and standing capacity Vi edCH "oI0 'e"'N
their utmost with jolly, merry crowd
whose bright faces, sparkling eyes, and ring
ing shouts of laughter fully ettested hoV
thoroughly they enjoyed the merry scene
Not alone the little ones, but the older one
also entered into the spirit OF the occasion
and for the moment threw off the cares ane
troubles of every day life. while upon every
hand might be heard in word and deed thu
glorious anthem, "Peace on earth good viii
to men"
1t was indeed an evening with Santa Claus
and the Jolly old saint must have brough'
with him to the Magic City an extra con
signnent of toys, candies and gifts of every
description, for look which way you Would
ON the street. in the stores, churches, hotels,
everywhere every one, both great and small,
seemed to have something to remind one that
il was Christmas eve. Among the most no
ticeable church decorations was that OF the
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
At this handsome ediice was witnessed
last evening one of the finest displays Wlch-
tia has ever seen. The decoration committee
consisting of Oscar belong. Mr.. and Mrs,
Coultre, Mr. Appleby, Mrs. Chas. Lawrence
and Mr.. VIM. Reese had spared no labor or
expense to have the church handsomely dec
Grated Festoons of evergreens hung from
the corners of the church to the chandelier
in the center and were there looped in grace
full folds. Beautiful cords of trimmed ever
church. interspersed with twigs of holly, SO
that one could almost imagine himself In the
midst OF pure forest in New England.
On the center of the platform stood a
handsome tree. laden with beautiful orna-
ments and lighted with scores of wax tapers
On the right of the platform was large star
made of evergreen boughs and sprlgS OF
holly. the beautiful red berries forming a
striking contrast to the dark green. On the
left was a cross made in a similar manner,
while the whole was surmounted by motto
in large red letters, 'Glory to God in the
Highest On either side of the tree wei
two large tables laden with baskets OF can
dies and nuts for Distribution to the children.
Directly in front Of the tree was placed an
immense basket in which were placed the
which were brought in by the schoi-
ars to be distributed to those who were less
favored in this worlds goods. On the right
of the tree and occupying part of the plat
form was an apartment curtained OFT from
the rest of the church.
Presently the doors were opened and the
children fairly rushed in, filing the space i'll
front which had been reserved for them.
The small boy who had been regular atter-
dant-since Last Sunday, and the boy with
tin horn were there, as irrepresslb!e IT'S ever,
but the audience was in the main
very good natured and hapPs.
Exclamations of 'Ohr" "Ahr' isn't at
fine?" we're heard on. all side; but a large
share of the interest seemed to center around
the curtained apartment, and wonder As to
what it meant. But the children were I'M
able to gain even glimpse of the interior.
Before the time for opening, the main part
Of the church was filled with the little folks
and their parents and friends.
The exercises Of the evening were opened
by an anthem by The choir entitled Christ
mas bells are ringing merrily," which was
by prayer by Rev. Hewitt, the pas
tor. Then the school joined in singing
gathering Home" Following this was the
of handsome souvenir in the
shape of Christmas card with the compli-
ments OF the school Then the curtains were
drawn, which had hidden part OF the plat
form from view, disclosing an old fashioned
fire. place Above was the old Gint-lock,
rel ic of the Revolution, tallow candles, the
old clock, brass andirons, and all the parphe-
MALTA of the old fashioned Fireplace which
our fathers and mothers used to sit by. Great
credit is due TO Mr. A. a. hyde for the de
sign and execution of this part of the decors-
tio,s. On the mantle were hung stockings of
various sizes, all well filed with appropriate
presents. Next came a recitation by Miss
Dean and blessing invoked upon the stock
ingS by Miss Lulu Wilson.
Soon the sound of sleigh bells were heard
and Santa Claus with his long snowy beard
and fur coat appeared, bearing gifts for va
rious members of the school. Hon. r. Hat
field received a large piece of bologna sau-
sage. and >ome others were favored with
appropriate presents. Just in the
midst of his little girl appeared on the
scene in her night dress saying, "Oh, Santa
Claus. I've just jumped out Of bed TO tell you
nv mother said if l would be good you
would bring me something nice, and I've
borrowed grandIpa's stocking, so as to hold
all | want, and then she enumerated all the
things. She wanted enough TO all the stock
ing.
The distribution OF presents followed, each
scholar receiving n basket os candy and nuts
aud pencil, thus combining the useful and
thu --eatable.
The evening was thoroughly ENJOYABLE
one TO the members OF tie school, and the
scribe heartily wished he was young again 50
passed and simply said Good evening" and
no more.
Over $40 in money was contributed, be
sides sacks OF -four, quilts aud groceries nj
various kinds These will be distributed to
the needy people OF the city. Great credit i
due TO the superintendent, NJ L. Gavin, anu
the various committee who have taken 81
many pains to give pleasant evening 10 the
children
The entertainment was highly successful,
aud WI. live long in the memory of the it
tie ones present
THE FIRST " E CHURCH
As the reporter arrived at the church be
found it flied To overlooking with the Sun
day schoo! children, their parents AMI ths
people who came to join in and to witues,