Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-12-26
At HOME AND CHURCH
Rock Island People Celebrate
Christmas in OId-Fashioned
Way.
IMPRESSIVE SERVICES ARE HELD
Salvation Army Remember the
Poor and Sheriff Feeds
Prisoners.

Christmas was observed in Rock
Island yesterday in the good old
fashioned way. Some of the business
houses opened for short time in the
morning, but the streets were very
quiet and little business was trans
acted. The weather man favored us
with the real Christmas article.
The clouds of the morning soon
broke away and old Sol looked down
with sufficient fervor to melt the
south side of the clods and ridges of
earth. While it was pleasant out, a
businessIike breeze kept pedestrians
from lettering on the street corners
and a cracking fire in a cosy room
was not without its attractive fea-
lures. Those whose travels took
them beyond the paved streets found
the dirt roads perfect, thing most
unusual at this sea son.
1t is safe to say that the ms jority of
people stayed at home and enjoyed
the favors that old St. Nick had be-
slowed upon them. The bracing at
mosphere, too, was conducive to lib.
eral consumption of Christmas fare
which would havea localizing tenden
cy upon the human animal.
In the Churches.
The churches holding Christmas
services were well filled. At the three
Catholic churches of the city, st
Mary's, st. Joseph's and Sacred Heart,
mass was celebrated at o'clock, at
$50 and again at 1880 with a sermon.
At st. Joseph's church Rosewig' mass
was sung under the direction of Mrs.
L. B. Reidy, with Mrs. Grace Mackin
rs Organist. For the offertory The
Birthday of King" was sung by Will
liam Andreasch, assisted by a chorus,
and at the pater noster And There
We're Shepherds was sung by quar-
tet, Mesdames w. A. Crubaugh and
Mary bichards-Casey and L. j. Murray
and j. NJ. Celligan,
Services began at midnight Monday
night at the Trinity Episcopal
church. There were mathis and
sermon at 10 O'Clock yester-
day and children's services at 4
o'clock, the latter being participated
in by many of the children of the con-
gregation. The floral decorations were
beautiful. Today being St. Stephens
day, there was morning celebration,
followed by children's services at
Trinity chapel this afternoon.
The German Lutherans celebrated
with their usual services at 10 a. M.
and at 1870 p. IN. Today second
Christmas was observed both at the
Lutheran and at St. Mary's churches.
Many young people improved yes
terday afternoon by going skating,
and those who were so fortunate as to
keep out of the wind found good
sport. Some attended the matinees
and more attended the evening the
aires in Rock Island and Davenport.
Poor Are Fed by saivatIonIsts.
The Salvation Army gave their an
nual dinner at the barracks and
treated 500 poor children to the deli
cacies appropriate to the season. 1t
was big undertaking but, owing to
the liberality of the citizens, it was an
entire success. Sheriff Cralle feted
the prisoners in the county Jail upon
baked chicken and all the trimmings.
Justice is not an adequate term with
which to describe what was done to
the layout.
Santa Claus made his appearance at
several of the churches Monday even
ing and last evening. and in each case
left considerable evidence of his in
dustry behind him.
At the Broadway church Monday
evening 20 Sunday school children
gave a pleasing cantata entitled
Santa Claus Guests" 1t was given
in the auditorium and drew liberal
audience, which witnessed the distri-
button of presents afterward.
There was program by Sunday
school children and Christmas tree
st the United Presbyterian church
Monday evening. The different parts
many glad surprises for those who
attended.
The First Methodist church was
prettily decorated for the Christmas
exercises by the Sunday school chill
dren Monday evening and fine pro-
gram was rendered.
Old Kris Kringle also made his ap-
pearance Monday evening in most APP
proved style before the Sunday school
children of the German Lutheran
church.
Children Give OPeratta.
Last evening about 30 children gave
a very pretty operatta entitled |
''Christmastiden al the First Baptist |
church. a large platform was built |
to accommodate the play. which was
directed by Miss Rosalind Runyan.
At St. Mary's and at the Central |
churches the children's |
exercises will be held this evening, |
while the young folks of the Christian