The record-union., 1895-12-25
POOR PEOPLES CHRISTMAS TO-DAY.
The Salvation Army Dinner VIII be
Given at Noon.
And Directly Afterward the Chill
dren's Gifts VIII be Dealt Out
by Santa Claus.

From the first appeal in behalf OF
the Salvation Army's Christmas din
ner and children's Christmas tree, made
through the Record Union" week
or so ago. there has at no time been the
slightest cause to fear that the money
necessary to carry out the worthy OBJ
ject would not be forthcoming. The
first days response was a hearty one,
showing that the plan had pleased the
public, and from that time on money
was contributed literally until the fund
exceeds the sum asked by about $500.
Always at the holiday season the gen
eral public has been willing and anx-
ious to help the poor, but no such COM
prehensive plan for reaching them as
that adopted by the Salvation Army
had ever been proposed, and money
that would have cheerfully been given
to help make Christmas a happy occa-
sior for the poor and needy has been
diverted to other paths.
The Record Union" is gratified at
having been able to assist SO material
ly in such a worthy undertaking as
that of feeding the hungry and cloth
ing the needy, and congratulates the
members of the Salvation Army on the
SDlenQlQ success lHSy nave dSLiSNCO
by their self-sacrifice and enterprise.
The generous response of the public
to the appeal for funds has made it
possible for these good people to
broaden the scope Of their undertaking.
So much money has been received that
it will be possible to provide Christmas
dinners for a greater number OF per-
sons than originally contemplated, and
also to extend the age limit of the
children to be provided with clothing
and Christmas gifts. So, also, will it
be possible for the Salvation Army to
send to the homes of poor and feeble
persons more good things than they at
first believed would be possible. All of
which is very cheering.
For the last two days and nights the
army members have been busily en-
gagged in cooking and otherwise prepar-
ing for to-day'S feast, and the tables
at Smiths Hall will surely present
tempting sight, even to those who are
able to purchase the good things of the
land for themselves.
This dinner will also be valuable
object lesson to such of the well-to-do
portion Of the community as may be
present. 1t will demonstrate to them
more eloquently and forcibly than all
the newspaper and public ap-
peals that could be offered
how much better it makes one
feel to give than to receive-to be
able to relieve hunger and distress
among fellow beings over whose lives
have long hung the clouds of adversely,
of poverty, of sickness, OF suffering and
of hunger.
The dinner viii take place at Smiths
Hall on Seventh street, between K and
L, and the doors will open at IL O'Clock
a. m. 1t is expected that there will be
room at the tables for all that will pre-
sent themselves, though it may be neo-
essary to set more than one table.
After all shall have had sufficient to
eat the three Christmas trees will take
the places of the dinner tables and the
distribution of clothing and toys among
the children will take place. Santa
Claus will be there in all his glory and
four-snow, much to the delight of the
little ones. Music by the Salvation
Amy band will be discoursed while
the distribution goes on.
The evening praise service will be
held at the same place at o'clock at
which Adjutant Wood will officiate
Little Clifford Smith was on his way
down town yesterday to buy some toys
with his dollar, when one of the collect
ors boarded the car on which he was
riding. His mother asked him whether
he had rather buy his toys or give his
money for the poor children, and he did
the latter without hesitation.
A visit to Barrack No. last night
disclosed a busy scene. Packages of
various sizes and shapes were heaped
up in apparently inextricable con-
fusion. Toys lay in heaps, and the
members were busily employed, under
the supervision of Captain Fletcher, in
labelling and numbering them. Each
child that has made application has re-
ceiyed a number, and its name and ad-
dress have been taken. Every package
has been labeled and numbered with
one of the names, and the little one will
receive the gift destined for it to-day
This. Of course, entailed much labor,
but was all accomplished.
At Smiths Hall Captain Lewis was
presiding over a different scene Here
lay turkeys and chickens piled up,
amounting to about $50 pounds, while
roasts Of beef and other meats lay
around on the tables. Men We're stuff
ing and trussing the turkeys, while
others We're putting them into the oven
and keeping up the fires. There were
men picking ducks and chickens. while
others were chopping suet and stoning
raisins for the puddings