The Lamar register., 1903-12-30
DEPOT SANTA CLAUS
UNIQUE FAMILY CELEBRATION
lmprovised Christmas Tree at Denver
Union Depot-Many Travellers Join
In Giving Children Away From
Aoppe a CooI Time

Union Depot-Many Travellers Join
In Giving Children Away From
Home a Good Time.
Half way between their old home
and their new home one Orrin Pitten-
ger and his family at the Union depot
held the first Christmas celebration
that has taken place in Denver this
year. says the Denver News OF Decem-
ber 24th. There was Christmas
tree music and gifts. MANY of the
people who We're waiting for trains
co-operated and the holiday spirit was
so strong that the policeman declared
it seemed like Christmas.
Pittenger is a ranchman. who has
made home in the Big Horn basin.
Wyoming. For three years he has
delved and toiled to make the wilder
ness suitable habitation for his fam
lily. December LIST last, he made up
his mind that his wife and children
should spend Christmas in their new
home which they had never seen. He
drove 1870 miles to Cody and went
from thence to Xenia, Ohio. The
household goods were packed hastily
and yesterday morning the Pittengers
arrived in Denver They might have
taken more direct route via Lin
coin. but they did not become aware
of this in time to avail themselves of
the advantage.
When they alighted from the train
yesterday and saw the snowstorm the
mother of the family at once thought
of Christmas and she began asking
her husband if they would reach home
by day after tomorrow. brief com.
putation showed them they would not
be able to get to their cabin in time
for the celebration. Pittenger noticed
his wifes downcast countenance and
suggested that they celebrate Christ
mas there and then.
The first step was to get a good
MONDAY meal. Then. while Mrs. Pit
tenger cared for the children the hus-
band went up town. When he re-
turned he lodged around through side
entrances to prevent the little ones
from seeing the small Christmas tree
and the numerous packages he had
brought with him.
A railroad porter was placed on
watch over them while Pittenger ex-
planned his plan to his wife. He de.
coyed the children to the women's
waiting room while Mrs. Pittenger ar
ranged in one corner of another room
the Christmas tree. Every one except
the children who were to be the benef-
ciaries soon knew what was going on.
A stout man brought some fruit. be
nevolent appearing old woman CON
tributed some candy apples. Porters
were kept busy by the passengers who
sent them to buy gifts for the Christ
mas tree.
When the wonderful little tree was
ready at last for the inspection of the
three children 1t was loaded down
with presents. for on it Were gifts for
about twenty adults besides the
things for the Pittengers.
All who were concerned in the cele-
bration assembled about the tree and
chanted Christmas hymn, after
which the gifts were distributed.
While the gifts were being distrib-
uted some one noticed a woman whose
appearance proclaimed her a foreigner.
She had a three-year- child with
her, and both looked longingly at the
merry group about the tree. She was
invited to join, but she did not under
stand until two women took her by
the arm and led her to the tree,
where presents were found both for
her and her little one. The woman
was a Bohemian. and when an inter
prefer was brought it was found that
she knew what the celebration meant,
and she was thinking of the festivi-
ties in her own land.
The affair was a success in every
the hearts of not only the members Of
score of other travellers.