Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-30
A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Many Poor Families Fed-Mr. and
Mrs. D. Schlagater Surprised.
TErom Eridov,s noitv

Mrs. D. Schlagater Surprised.
TFrom Fridays Daily.l
Yesterday was, in every sense of the
word, a merry Christmas in Ottumwa.
Rich and poor alike enjoyed the occa-
sion in this city. Everyone seemed
to have a good time and the CHEEKY
spirit of the day made itself felt in
even the most cherries and gloomy
places. There We're society events ga
lore, and there was hardly anyone in
the city but had or did something by
which to remember the day. Even in
the slums the day was happy one.
More than 100 poor families were fed
anthropic department of the Woman's
club, the latter using the proceeds of
the band concert given Monday even
ing for charity. The churches also
| played Santa Claus and gave many
gifts to the children of the city.
! Society Events.
The annual Christmas party at the
Wapello club was most enjoyable
| event, and two other dances afforded
| those who attended them much enter
! tainment and pleasure. In the after
noon Emerson Barnum, Ben Grips and
Harry Helm conducted dance at the
armory, which was well attended and
| proved highly enjoyable. The evening
dance at the armory was given by the
Schubert Mandolin orchestra and was
also one of the pleasant events of the
day.
| Feed the Poor.
The money realized from the char
I -. g., L,
regimental band and others Monday
| evening was turned over to the women
of the Philanthropic department of the
Woman's club, and they bought pro
visions which they distributed among
fifty poor families. The Salvation Ar.
my fed about the same number OF
people.
/ Happy Family Reunion.
One of the happiest events of the
day was the celebration of Christmas
at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. d. Schla
CATER, who reside in new and pretty
lhouse one mile west of the city. The
party was in the nature of surprise
upon the old people, and was arranged
/ by their daughters, Mesdames B. Hof
mann, l.. 0. Johnson and Frank Upp
A few of the relatives went to the
Schlagater home early in the morning
and helped prepare a big Christina:
dinner, which was ready when the 9th
er guests arrived. There were a grea
many present, including sons, daugh
tiers and grandchildren of the aget
couple Mr.. and Mrs. Schlagater wer,
the recipients of many handsome ant
valuable gifts in remembrance of tn
day.
One of the most happy features O.
the affair was the unexpected arriva
at the Schlagater home, just before
dinner was announced, of F. e. Schla
: CATER. of Ogden, Utah, the son of the
: old people, who came to Ottumws
without notifying his relatives and sur
s. prised them all by coming in upol
them at this opportune time.
Among the gifts was one from tn,
grandson of Mr.. and Mrs. Schlagater
: George Schlagater, of Chicago, WHIT
sent them graphaphone. 1t wal
: spirited into the house and at an op
| perfume time commenced the rendi
tion of series of German nationa
airs, than which nothing is dearer t,
, the ears of the old people A mos
/, happy day was spent by all the party
from the oldest to the youngest. MI
and Mrs. Schlagater are old residents
L of the county, having lived continu
= ously for forty-eight years on the wei
= known Schlagater farm in Polk town
ship. Recently they removed neare
= the city and have taken up their resi-
i dence in the house short distanc
l. west of the city, where they expect t
l. spend the remainder of their days.