The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1889-12-27
Christmas at Hot SPRINGS.

had come. No snow was on
the ground. No ice anywhere.
Christmas Eve was duly celebrated
with two Christmas trees, one at the
NJ. E. Church and one at the Mime
kahta Hotel. The festivities
AT rRE METHODIST CHURCH
were attended by a large assemblage.
Every available inch of space was util-
lied by people sitting or standing. The
church decoration was elegant. and APP
propriate. A chimney had been erect
ed-or rather a painted representation
OF a chimney-protruding from a roof
in the front of the church. At the
left Of the chimney and a little in
front was the Christmas tree, beauti-
fully illuminated, and in front was an
arch Of evergreen, from the center Of
which hung a large bell, skillfully
fashioned from pine boughs. This also
was brilliantly illuminated.
The exercises were opened by Supt.
s. f. Wilson, who made a few appro-
pirate remarks as to the character of
the occasion and announced that Rev.
Tracy would offer prayer. The pro-
gram following was in place and we'll
prepared, being chiefly executed by the
Sunday School children, and was by
subject as follows:
Song-"Christmas Bells" by not less
than thirty children.
Concert Observation-Disclosures
Mrs. Tracy's class.
Diaiogue-Fannie Sheppard andClif-
ford Wilson.
Song-"Christmas Tree" by Infant
Class.
Recitation-"Addie Jennings.
Solo-Mrs. j. II. Grow.
Concert Recitation-"G-o-o d.b-y.c,"
Miss Walton's class.
Song-sThe Modern Church,"S S. e.
Wilson.
Then came the appearance Of SOld
Santa Claus and the gift distribution.
The first announcement of Santa Claus
was the jingling Of sleighbells which
came up close to the house and ceased.
Santa Claus FIRST made his appearance
at the corner of the roof from which
the chimney seemed to protrude. With
some difficulty he climbed to the roof
and made his way to the chimney.
After some hesitancy and apparently
at times with the intention of ADAM
doning his project, he with considera-
bic difficulty began the descent of
the chimney, disappeared and emerged
again from the fire place. After
amusing the children with a few re-
marks and overseeing for a time the
distribution of the gifts, he babe the
children good night and passed out
through the crowd. 1t is needless to
add that the operations of old Santa
were watched with wide-eyed interest
by the children. Under cover of his
great coat, beard and wig was hidden
away Capt. LaFleiche.
When the gift distribution was COM
pleted the audience departed. The
general verdict was that the Christmas
eve festivities at the church were a
success.
AT II MINNEKAITA HOTEL
The Christmas tree had been arranged
in the back parlor, the view from the
front parlor being shut off by folding
doors. Here the presents were placed
in position and tho tree arranged. The
audience assembled i'll the front parlor
At about half past seven the folding
doors We're thrown open and the bril-.
%liantly lishted tree laden with all
manner II beautiful fruit, came sud.
denly into view. Old Santa Claus il
seems found time also togive attention
to the distribution of presents at this
Christmas tree also. Under his great
coat and fur trappings however, closer
investigation would have discovered
the person of Tinan Spangler. Ate,
the tree had been robbed of its fruit
the guests listened to a short but ex.
ceedingly interesting address by the
Rev. Andrews upon "Chrlstmas,'
which with vocal and instrumental
music, supplied an interesting pro
gram. Everybody afterwards en-
gagged in "Blind mans buff" for which
the wide halls of the Minnekahta al.
admirably adapted. With thanks tt
Mr.. and Mrs. Gillespie for so kindly
throwing open their parlors for thi
affair the guests departed, carrying
with them the feeling that the evening
had been one Of pleasure.
TIL K. F. BALL
On Christmas night was the affair o,
the holiday season in the society circle
of Hot Springs. The arrangement
were perfect as the STAR had predict
ed, the management being in the
hands of a thoroughly competent com
mittee. The Minnekahta Hotel wa,
: opened from top to bottom for the com
5 fort and pleasure of those who partici
pated and to the attention and hospi
tality of Mr.. and Mrs. Gillespie in n,
small degree can be attributed the sue
cess Of the affair. The Buffalo Gap cor
net band furnished the music. Thos,
y present pronounced the music excellen
and many words of commentator fo1
= Il were heard. The Uniform kindness