The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-26
GOOD CHEER IN BROOKLYN
Thousands OF Poor children Made Happy
BY tho Christmns Tree society.

The efforts OF the Brooklyn Christmas Tree
Society In behalf OF the poor chiiuren were
again crowned with success yesterday. olmul-
taneous entertainments. under It's direction.
were given at the Grand Opera House, the
Park Theatre and the Amplion Theatre. and
each was witnessed by thousands OF deliRhtea
children. who got free transportation In the
trolley cars from all parts OF the city The chiei
feature OF the entertainment was q pretty pan
tomirne. devised by Mr.. Frank Sittii. whose
wife has long been the President OF the Christ
mas Tree Society. There were many Other in
terestng features, the entertainment winding
up with the grand illumination OF gigantic
Christmas tree At the Granl Opera House.
where the Assem- blago was the largest. Mr.
Leonard Moody oflcated as santa Claus AT
the close OF the performances the children were
taken TO he old Thirteenth Regiment Armory
Ia Flatbush avenue. where they sat down TO
turkey dinner and received toys and other
Christmas presents.
At the Amphon Theatre 1000 children were
entertained BY the society. To each child on
entering the theatre was given small Amer
lean flag. Former Congressman Charles g.
Bennett presided. The Rev. Howard Wilbur
Ennis. pastor OF tho First Reformed Church.
sang THE Star-Spangled Banner" and tho
children Joined in. An address was made by
former District Attorney Foster L. Backus and
Miss Nina Drummond Leavitt gave banjo
solo l.. II. Hendrickson did sleight-of- hand
tricks and Clarence Horning sang the natlonhl
the Children H' waved i" their ags. Santa Claus.
impersonated by Mr.. Il. Morrison Gray. next
pnd ateT G ore, l5 ear
pet sweepers. juvenile games. CANDY ana iru'e
to the children.
dustrial Home in South Third street, Williams
burg. had Christmas ENTERTAINMENT Inc
exercises were under the direction OF Mln III
Howell. the first directress. After vocal and
instrumental muse each child received a
sR HSS tSat W Broo s iodps viii furnish
ali the Inmates Of the Homo and it, branches
with big Christmas tree and an entertain
ment In the Aurora Grata Cathedral at Bed
ford avenue and Madison street to-morro"
night. -..,- ,. ,.,.. .-o o,or
two thousand. at the various Flatbush instltu-
lions, received generous treatment itom the
municipal authorities as well a. Kind consiG-
Grafton from private sources. TurSey. chick.
ems. Grant berry sauce. vegetables and fruit were
supplied for dinner and toys and other siits
were forwarded In generous ABUNDANCE Tor me
children, the special contributors being St
Paul,s Church OF Flatbush. the Cortelyon Club.
the sunshine Club and the Fruit and fiower
was the gift OF Mrs Tens g. bergen 70 me G in-
hattnn forwarded new clothing for over ntty
children and also rememorahees Tor most OF
Var and the marines and blue jackets hhd
auie, time. Most OF them attended Christmas
mass early In the morning on the receiving
snip Vermont. Then they visited the VARIOUS
ships. snapped stories and played games, Inc
sailors on the receiving ship Vermont. the
hatticship Indiana. the cruiser Buffalo. and on
the half dozen torpedo boats and the mar
ines in the barracks had Christmas din
ners consisting OF turkey. pie. cakes.
beer aud plum dun The sailors on the con-
verted cruiser Dixie. however. Jared poorly
There are about four hunlreI landsmen on
the Dixie who are learning 70 become sailors
They were formerly farmers nionE the MiSsis.
sippl and beyond the Rocky Mountains. They
had an Idea that Uncle sam would 9nlelato as
Santa Claus and prepare for them big Christ
mas dinner. They. had only been on
board shin since Wednesday last. They
learned when il was too late that
the sailors furnish their own holiday dinners
by chipping in TO a general mess fund. Con-
seIuently. while the old-time sailors were en-
joying big feed the farmers" as the lands
men are called. only had the regulation din
ner, They then became homesick and many
oil them , S tneir J ,h omn ana
In the evening the sailors enjoyed concert
on the receiving ship Vermont. the music be-
Ing furnished by volunteers.