The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-29
CHRISTMAS TREETHAT
GAVE JOY
Hundreds of Poor Children are Made
Happy by the Generous Act of
RALEIGH Saloon Men.

A hall crowded with children by the
hundreds, eager eyes that gazed with IN
tense longing upon the curtain behind
which were the mysteries OF hidden gifts
and the beauties of Christmas tree, was
sight worthy of an artist that was seen
Christmas night in Metropolitan Hall.
1t was at the Christmas Tree Entertain
ment given to the needy children of the
city by the saloon men of Raleigh. and
great happiness the evening brought
to between four and five hundred chill
dren. committee from the saloon men
had canvassed the city and had distributed
tickets wherever they found children
whose Christmas promised to be gift
! less one.
Christmas night was an inclement one,
yet the children were present in great
numbers. Had it been fair weather there
would have been more. Fifteen tiers of
seats were filled with boys and twelve
tiers solidly with girls, while many were
scattered with parents or friends on other
seats. Many grown people were present
on the lower floor, while the galleries were
filled with spectators as were the boxes
also.
The management of the children had
been undertaken by Superintendent Moses
of the city schools, There were present
from the schools also Mrs. Barbee, Miss
Riddle and Miss Williams, while other
visitors in the boxes besides the wives
and families of the givers of the tree were
Col and Mrs. F. A. Olds, Mayor A. NJ
Powell, Clerk of the Court w. M. Russ,
City Clerk William l.. Wilson, Capt. w.
N WEST, Capt. j. H. Mullins and others.
While the children gathered splendid
music was rendered by Levin's Orchestra,
this being applauded. At eight O'Clock
the curtain was raised and the children,
as if moved by common impulse, sprang
to their feet, while "Ohs." and "Ahs!
and Isn't it pretty" rang from their lips
as the beautifully decorated tree. aglow
with candles, was discovered" while heap
ed about it were great piles of oranges
and apples and sacks of candy, the entire
background being covered with collec-
ton of toys sufficient to start a toy store.
Here are some of the things that were
given to the girls: Tea sets. toy pianos.
doll carriages, push carts, dolls, dressed
and undressed books. such as Aesops
Fables and Arabian Nights, building blocks
For the boys there were bats and balls,
whips garden TOOLS horns, books, building
blocks, wagons, toy engines, kalesclescopes
magic lanterns, wheel-barrows and other
things To each OK the children, In add
tion to gift there was given halt pound
package of candy, an orange and an apple.
Before these gifts were distributed Mr..
Ben Hardy, in a capital negro make up
entertained the children with comical
sayings and with an excellent coon
song" AS this ended after an encore he
declared he heard a noise and that there
was something doing" Then sleigh bells
were heard and Santa Claus appeared,
looking like the genuine Saint Nicholas,
the character being taken by Mr.. James
F. Jordan
Then began the glorious event OF the
night and eyes again sparkled as the chill
dren were arranged so as to have them
pass across the stage, in front of the tree
to receive their gifts. 1t was as this be-
gan that there could be had the best view
of the hall. 1t was prettily decorated and
in the seats could be seen all manner OF
children. There was the infant in arms,
and Just a few years older the toddling
boy and girl, and on up to the children
of eight, nine, ten and eleven years Of
age Here was a rosy checked bright
eyed lass, White by her side was one
with wan cheeks and sad eyes that look
ed forth a piteous expectation Here were
children gazing in awe upon Santa Claus
the tree the gifts, the crowd. Here was
the boisterous lad elbowiEg and pushing
to the front Here was the older brother
or sister dragging by the hand younger
member of the family, while in and out
wiggled many little fellows. fearsome lest
their turn should come too late
All in all it was comfortably dressed
crowd of youngsters. In but small
number of cases Was there want showed in
the clothing but as little girl clasped
doll in her arms, or received a doll car
riage; as boy came bounding from the
stage with ball and bat there was such
joy written on the faces that you could
sec that such pleasures were few IN their
lives.
After the giving there were presents
left. Some of these were distributed to
children. The surplus was divided up and
twenty gifts, with oranges and apples
were sent to the Methodist Orphanage,
thirty gifts with oranges and apples to
the Catholic Orphanage and big lot OF
apples, oranges and candy to st. Luke's
Home. For the event there had been
purchased 900 presents, 900 pounds of
candy, two barrels of apples and three
boxes of oranges.
The giving of these gifts by the saloon
men was generous act, and they could
ask no higher or better reward than in
seeing the happiness that they gave to
little children on Christmas night. In
preparing for this the leading factors were
Mr.. Ed V Denton. who was most ably
aided by Mr. Emmett Levy well known
drummer, who is stated to have first
proposed the plan 1t was good one and
most admirably carried to completion.
1t is desired by the saloon men to thank
Mcssrs Brown and Jordan for the use OF
the hall and the Raleigh Electric Light
Company for the lights.
NJ