The Minneapolis journal., 1903-12-25
Merry Time at, the Bijou.

the Bijou theater. Nearly 1900 Of
the tots were taken to the theater
and home by the street railway COM
pany. At the door the children pre-
sented tickets provided by the Elks,
which entitled each of them to enjoy
three hours program such as few
children have had the good fortune
to hear.
After Exalted Ruler F.. r. Towle
had made short speech, Santa Claus
;reindeers could be seen thru the VIM
dow, and a moment later the roly-
poly man came DOWN the chimney.
One clap Of his nagit hands brought
a Christmas tree info view. Then
Santa Claus did something he rarely
does; he made a speech.
Here is some of the talent that ap-
peared on the long program: Little
Minerva from the Why Women Sin
company; Lyle Lapinel, boy tenor;
dainty Helen Baer, the ballad and
coon song singer; Master O'Brien, the
dancer; Miss Tina. Murphy, the mu-
sical specialist from the Riley and
Woods company; also Bonita and her
pickaninnies; Mrs. Maud Ulmer Jones;
Mrs. David Broderick in character
songs; Harry Hill, the singer; Mark
stevens Of Why Women Sin compa-
ny; Harry Bray and his dogs; Wal
ter w. Ellis, the whistler; Fred White.
the juggler; Paul Burns, Hebrew i'm
personator; w. I. Nolan, monologist;
Wolff. and Barrett, violin and piano.
Finally Tim Murphy, the man
from Missouri who was in the au-
dience just to see what the front Of
the stage looked like, threw off his
overcoat and gave an, impersonation
Of Henry Irving. Signor Giovanni
contributed moving pictures Each
child, as it left the theater, was given
% 1ox- Of oor RI q yoa0
and an American flag.
: Different charitable organizations
distributed the packages which were
received at the Elks' bundle party
Among the items were fifty-one suits
of clothes, thirty overcoats, shoes, un-
derWear and miscellaneous garments.
Volunteers Entertainment.
The Volunteers crowned their long
continued efforts to give poor children
of the city "a good time with an enter
tainment for them last evening ir
Century hall. Santa Claus, when 4, he
appeared in all his glory, could not
be heard for the loud cheers which
greeted his coming.
The Journal Newsboys' band whiled
away the first hour after the hal
was opened by musical selections -Da-
vid C. Bell presided and made the in
troductory remarks. These were fol
lowed by PRAYER by j. w. Powers
readings by Mrs. Cook, Miss Downey
Miss Hodgeman, Mr.. Drew and Mr.
Wilson, and wand drill by a class
Of little girls.
w. i. Nolan, Santa Claus, after he
had quieted the youngsters, announced
that he had to come by way of the
steam radiator, as he could find nc
chimney. He distributed bags Of
,fe,, IT, c,l,T oI1; Ia
received a present.
Dinners for Three Thousand.
The Christmas dinner distribution
900 baskets, each containing material
for a dinner for five persons. Extra
supplies were. put in baskets for large
| families and for. very large ones two
| baskets were given. The main dis
! tribution was at the. central quarters
on First avenue. but baskets were
also distributed at the halls on Ce-
! n. Each basket contained loaf OF
bread, a. chicken, meat, potatoes
! BEANS, can Of tomatoes, cranber-
| ries, apples, a pound of sugar, one
half pound of butter, one-half. pound
| of coffee. Each basket was supplied
mas edition of the War Cry.
! To-day at 1 o'clock a dinner was
served for nearly 500 homeless men
at the First avenue hall.
Santa Claus at the Churches.
Santa Claus visited Gethsemane
Sunday school yesterday afternoon at
! Knickerbocker hall. Two large trees,
glittering with tinse and ornaments,
filled the-stage. Carols were sung by
the children and recitations were
| given. This year the children adopted
the custom. of giving instead of ,re-
ceiving, and fifteen baskets We're filled
from the varied donations.
At st. Marks pro-cathedral an. Old
English carol service was given by
theschoir under George Normington's
direction. The Christmas decorations
of holly, evergreen, poinsettfa, smilax
| and electric lights were especially
fine. At the close of the exercises