The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-12-27
AS OBSERVED
IN BILLINGS
CHRISTMAS WAS INDEED A MER-
RY ONE.
none OVERLOOKED BY SANTA
Proved Kindly Visitor to Young and
Old, Rich and
Poor: ~
NONE OVERLOOKED BY SANTA

presents good, old Santa Claus gave
to the people of Billings was a little
snowfall, that, coming early in the
morning, prevented the verdant Christ
mas, which according to popular be-
lief is in some manne connected with
an expanding graveyard. just enough
snow fell to cover the earth and the
warm sunshine that followed almost
Immediately made the day as pleasant
and fair as anyone could wish. But
this was not all that the merry, little
gentleman of venerable years had to
bestow upon those who were his
friends, and this was about everybody
in the city, for very few were those
who did not receive some gift or token
of remembrance from loving and con-
siderate mes.
With the exception of the Catholics,
all the churches of the city had the
usual entertainments and gift distri-
buttons the evening before. At these
all the children and many of the older
folks were remembered and all re-
ceived something to be taken home
and put by for addition to the NOR
rows store Of presents hat they knew
was sure to come. But the churches
were not the only ones who thought
of the little folks. The Hon. j. D..
Losekamp, in keeping with his Gus
tom of years, played the part of Kris
Aringle Wednesday morning and for
several hours his store was the busiest
and most popular place in the city.
He had hundreds of presents to give
away and when he and the gentlemen
who assisted him had filled the last
little outheld hand that part of the
store devoted to the distribution of
gifts looked as though swept by a
Dakota cyclone. Many a poor child
that otherwise would have probably
had only a heavy heart and sorrowful
little mind as it's reminder of the day
above all others dear to the juvenile
went away happy and content. A gold
watch was n Of the presents given
away by him and a kind fate destined
that it should go to a little girl whose
short life has already had more than
its share Of sadness because of a ply
steal defect that robs it of much of
the joys and happiness of child life.
The Elks, following the rule of the
order that none of the poor families in
any city wherever an Elks' lodge ex-
lists shall be without cheer on that
day, appointed a committee to see
that no needy ones would be overlook
ed and be without the turkey and
other good things that graced the fam
lily board of the more fortunate ones.
Under it's supervision all who were un-
able to provide those things for them
selves were supplied and many who
otherwise would have been without
their Christmas dinner found them
selves seated at generously laden
tables.
There was the usual number of din
ner parties, large and small and many
a forlorn old bachelor had the happy
experience of being permitted to
stretch his ~attenuated legs under a
family board and for once partake of
a real dinner, such as mother used to
cook" But those SO favored were not
all of the male gender. The bachelor
girl" that product of a newer civil
cation, was also remembered and her
merry laughter and CHEEKY talk were
heard at many gatherings.
The duo, Tom and Jerry, was in evil
dence in about all of the resorts and
places that cater to the thirst of the
bibulous or convivial, and as one hap
py fellow was heard to remark after
leaving one of those drink emporiums,
things were sure stirring" The
hotels and restaurants had added a
few frills to their customary bills Of