The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-26
HEARTS OF MANY MADE GLAD.
The Elks' Christmas Tree the
Event of she Day.
Over Four Hundred Children Given Toys
and Confectionaries Turkeys, Hams
ana Other Groceries DISTRIBUTED
Among the Destitute of the city.
The Inmates of the Almshouse Re.
membered by the EIks.

Hundreds Of children focked to the
Asoerry building on Salem avenue yes-
terday to receive the presents to be dis
tributed by the Elks' Christmas tree.
describ d in these columns Yesterday
morning.
from o'clock in the morning. the
hour OF beginning the distribution, till
noon constant throng of children
poured In and out receiving. the fruits,
connections and toys, with which the
tree was laden. In all, over $50 presents
were distributed to as many children.
Every child who went to the tree left
Win something to add to the pleasure
OF Christmas
me tree was large cedar that
seaoneo to the ceiling, and with it's
decorations of shining metal and MN
ature flags interpersed with tinv wax
candles, made picture of neatness and
beauty. Under the tree near the floor
was stretched canvass Containing this
inscription:
MERRY CHRISTMAS"
written in large capitals, Representatives
lclcles. In the rear and front of the
tree, which was planted in the middle
OF the hall, was stretched wires hung
with japanese lanterns. Tho tree
was loaded with dolls, tin horns and
toys OF every description, and the little
ones who visited it yesterday went into
ecstacies of admiration In the center
OF the room was also stretched their
handsome silk banner, which was
greatly admired by all.
Inc hundreds of children fiockine
around the great cedar, fairly glittering
with It's burden OF gifts and attractive
C thn;r 70 LII:
Kind Elks handed out oranges, toys and
packages of confections. and one that
VIII not be forgotten by those who
saw it.
Fidelity, Justice, Charity and Broth
erly Love" are the cardinal principals
OF the Benevolent and Protective Order
OF Elks, and the members Of No. l07
have demonstrated the fact that thew
understand the meaning of these terms,
ana are living up to the foundation of
the order
The committee in charge was COM
posed OF Messrs. e. r. Woodward,
Gensler, D. W. Espenlaub, d. M.
Howe, E. Mahoney and l.. III. Vaughan.
These gentlemen were all on hand and
were kept quite busy for several hours
distributing the presents and the gro
ceries that were carried around to des-
titute families. Twenty-Five turkeys,
nifty hams, twenty bushels of potatoes
and other articles were distributed
around town. The Elks were careful to
see that none but deserving people re-
ceived aid and found plenty of those
who needed their charity.
Mossrs. w. p. Huff and Elias Ma
honey went out to the almshouse Thurs.
day to see what would be most suitable
for gifts to the poor there. A wagon
loaded with packages containing a.
variety of articles went out Yesterday,
and each inmate, white and colorei ], re-
ceived something.
All who had their Christmas made
happier by the benevolent work of the
Elks seemed to appreciate what was
done for them, and some touching scenes
we're witnessed by those who delivered
the packages to destitute families.
The Elks, though young order in
Roanoke, has already developed con-
siderable strength, and this extensive
work or charity was success in every
WaY.