The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-12-27
At THE CHURCHES.
How Sunday School Children Saw
Santa Claus.

Minnesota. 1t was a clear, beautiful
sky over head, all day long, and the
sun poured down its warmest rays,
making it agreeable to walk out with
out an overcoat. The day itself was
spent quietly here, the Sunday school
festivities having occurred on the ev-
ening previous, when the proverbial
Santa Claus, in various shapes ap-
peared, and made glad the hearts of
the little people.
The Christmas entertainment in the
Presbyterian church was unique in it's
character this year. A cantata entitled
"a Jolly Christmas" was got up on a
more elaborate scale and carried out
by SO or 60 of the Sunday school
children. The highest credit is due
to the Misses Jorgenson, Turrell and
Everett, who had the training of the
children, and to Mrs. J. P. Cooper and
Charles johnson, who helped etfici-
emily to carry it out. Wheth-
or in marching, singing, speaking or
doing any of the other parts allotted
to them, the children did splendidly.
Some of the smaller children dressed
in fantastic attires to suit their role,
created a great deal of amusement.
The cantata is to be repeated in the
church tonight with some additions
and several numbers of music and
recitation. The decoration work de-
volved, as usual, on Charles Knopf
Miss Clara Knopf with some assist
ants, and is feature of special attrac-
ton. Over the platform on the wall
is large gilded star with the words
underneath ''Of Bethlehem" Over
the star are series of smaller stars
and quarter moon at one side, and
in the same plane of the Star of Beth
lehem on either side a knot of climb
ing cedar. Over the front of the plat
form is erected an arch covered and
festooned with cedar, and clad with
candles which burned all the time
the cantata was being carried out.
Just when Santa Claus came in one of
the candles set the arch on fire. but
Santa went on with his speech as stol-
idly as sphynx which had the desired
effect of keeping the children and the
audience from getting into panic.
Two handsome Christmas trees, ele-
gantly trimmed, for which the Sunday
school is indebted to the Winona Lum
Der Company, through Mr.. Frank
Rogers, adorned one side of the plat
form, and in front of them on tables
were loads of candies and fruit which
were distributed to the children at the
close. When Rev. J. Sinclair rose to
ask the audience to sing parting
hymn he was taken by surprise to be
called on by Mr.. Turrell who had ris-
en- holding a handsome tasselled
dressing gown in his hand which, in a
humorous speech, he presented in the
name of the ladies, to the minister.
An envelope, with bank check en-
closed, was handed over with the dress
ing gown. MIR. Sinclair made an ap-
preciative speech in reply.
At the Methodist church there was
was an excellent literary and musical
program by the children, under the
direction of Supt. A. E. King, of the
Sunday school. Toe little ones were
drilled to perfection, and the crowd
that filed the large auditorium we're
delighted with the program. Shortly
after nine o'clock a huge United
States flag was dropped, presenting to
view Christmas tree, all lighted with
the gaily colored wax candles. Then
there was a jingle OF sleigh BELLS from
without, and soon the agent of Kris
Kringle, put in appearance. He was
dressed to kill or please just like
Santa Claus only he had no mus
tache to disguise his voice. 1t was
Cliff Tanner, as the audience found
out when Kris commenced to talk in
his witty manner. He appointed sub
agents and then there was distribu-
ton of the presents. 1t was pleas
ant evening. Mr.. and. Mrs. Hanscom
were pleasantly remembered by nu-
merous gifts during the distribution.