The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-12-26
-.
TREE AT HALL.

hey IIdu IL idppy tHHi"Slu"'' N"J
cause they made hundreds of others
happy.
When Matron Wogan came on duty
Tuesday morning she found a very
small tree in the Court room. 1t was
mot large enough so money was sec,l T.
led and a beautiful tree was bought.
Then the donations began to roll In
land Captain Black, ->Otiicer Schell,
iLinemanIIyland and Others began the
work of trimming it. Faithfully they
worked under direction, ,:of Matron
Wogan. s--
There was no friction and no talk
of investigation, but every one deter
mined to be ready for yesterday morn
ing. One leading business man call
ed on Tuesday. lie was astounded
that u Christmas tree had to be pllr-
chased. Then he put down his name
|fY hundreds of books and started on
a tour of the merchants The result
was remarkable. The patrol wagon
and other wagons kept hauling toys
and fruits to the hall. Yesterday
morning 900 children were given a
Christmas treat. The little ones
Igathered early.
r., Finally the assemblage 6f expectant
ZONES wos notified that everything was
ready and the boys and girls were for
med into line by a squad of police
men, comprising Captain Black, Ser.
geant Bayley, Patrolman Schcll, Ford
land Connor, Humane Agent Stout
and Dog Catcher Kopf.
The line of boys ane girls was form
ed through the Office OF Clerk Of the
Court Joslyn, and the entire six hun
dred anxious children were packed in
to the court room as thickly as pos
sibly.
/ A wonderful sight met the eyes OF
that assemblage of lads and lassies.
Before them towering to the ceiling
of the room was large Christmas
tree. the green branches fairly bear
ing down with 1.-THE weight of good
things tied to them. There were
toys. fairics,a profilsion of tinscl. hon
bnns, and everything that would tend
to make Il Christmas tree presentable
and make the beholder look with
wistful eyes upon the feast before
him.
At the foot of the tree, and cover.
ing the floor for several feet there
abuuts was display that for the
once was of far more Importance tt
: the children than the Christmas tree
, as handsome as it was. There wcrf
boxes of luscious oranges, dozens OF
bags Of candies, toys IN abundance
mittcns, hair ribbons for the girls
little rocking chairs, penkniveS, and
:; many other articles particularly ap
propriate for the holiday season.
;. Many an exclamation of surprise
). greeting the sight of the gifts in store
5 for the children present.
!. Judge Churchman fingered long
enough with Chief Massey TO formal.
~ open the distribution. The Judge
made happy little speech to hl'
y little friends portraying to them the
Kindness of the police, Matrons Wogal
and White, and the care and labol
they had expended to make the
Christmas tree success. The judge
also spoke of the efforts and generos
Iity of the policeman and of merchant!
and other residents Of the city wh'
t contributed of their means TO th'
+ Christmas tree project, Final!
Judge Churchman on behalf Of him
t self, the matrons and Of the police
men, wished the children a mcrr,
e Christmas.
Ills speech was greeted with ap'
iplausc, Then the children once more
q we're formed into line, and we've
marched past the Christmas tree
!, when to each was given an orange,
Il some candy and toys. Thanks to thu
!. kindness of those who donated to the
cause there was enough Of everything
TO go around, excepting in candy
the supply Of which ran short before
t the last boy had been served. The
+ gifts were handed out by Mrs
WUgan, Mrs. White. Captain Blacl
and other policemen, and Mr.. Stou
l. and Mr.. Kopl
After the boys and girls were serv
ed, they passed out Of the court room
by another door, and into the street
:. discussing their presents mcrrily
Outside, there was u general com
parisOn Of what each received, but Il
is suffice to say that all were satisii
cd with their TOYS and candies, ant
nuts.
1t was surely happy and nois!
= crowd ol boys and girls that left tht
police station, aud trooped away
: homewa after the Christman treat
+ was finished.
Mrs. White and Mrs. Wogan desir'
to thank most heartily all who assist
ed them in anyway 10 make theil
|Christmas tree a success.
> They were enabled to get a com
iplele list OF those who contributed
n as many persons did not give thei
v names, but simply left donations.
For this reason the matrons are un'
able to extend their thanks to th'
contributors individually, but taxi
y this means Of expressing their graft
tude to those persons who SO gencr
I ously helped them in their plan Ia
o bring joy into many young lives.