The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-26
Salvation Army Provides Christi
 mas Dinner for 1000
A TEMPTING BILL OF FARE
Tickets Had Been Issued, But No One Was Refused Evea If a Ticket -oId-psonpoLd ION seM
 visions Bountiful.

Nearly one thousand poor people of Bir- mingham were provided with a Christmas dinner yesterday by the local corps of the Salvation Army. The dinner, which was given at the army headquarters, at No. 2115 First avenue, lasted for several hours. It was just before 12 o'clock when the officers threw open the doors of the large hall which had been converted into a dining room and announced that the an- nual dinner was ready. From that time until after o'clock the feast was in pro- gress Everyone who applied for dinner was cordially welcomed, and just as much wholesome food as they could eat was put before them.
 Two Long Tables.
 Two long tables were arranged, each with a seating capacity of one hundred. In this way two hundred or more were ac- commodated at each sitting. The tables were covered with snowy white cloths and only china dishes were used in serv- ing the dinner. Large vases of cut flow CTS were on the tables and the hall was l decorated with holly, smilax and other evergreens, flags and bunting. l The menu consisted of roast turkey with cranberry sauce, roast beef, roast mutton, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, stewed tomatoes, baked beans, light bread and butter, pickles, cheese and crackers, sweet milk, cakes and pies.
 For several days the officers of the local corps have been busily engaged in arrang- ing for the annual dinner for the poor of Birmingham. Fifty turkeys were roasted on Thursday afternoon and yesterday morning the balance of the cooking was done. Captain Pullen and Captain Bosher have been busy for several days distrib- uting tickets to the deserving poor No One Refused. While every applicant for dinner tick ct was questioned, there were no refusals on the part of the officers. Old men and young men, widows with babes in their arms, and little boys and girls by the score were the guests of the Salvation Army
 Just before the dinner commenced the officers sang a Christmas song. asking for the blessings of the Almighty. The army lassies wearing the regulation uni- form, with the quaint poke bonnet, acted as waitresses The scene was photo graphed shortly after the first two hun dred were seated.
 Provisions BountfuI. Stacked up in one corner of the hall were large baskets of provisions, which were later distributed to all who applied. Two hundred of these baskets, which contained enough food for five persons for one meal, were given out. Each bas- ket contained dressed chicked, a loaf of light bread, seven pounds of Irish pota- toes. a head of cabbage. large pie half pound of sugar, half a pound of coffee. a bunch of celery, half pound of butter, half pound of crackers and two apples. The demand for these baskets was not as large as was anticipated Last night the Salvation Army held regular Christi mas services at the headquarters, a large crowd being present.
 New Years Tree.
 On New Years afternoon the army will give a Christmas tree to the poor chill dren of Birmingham Already money toys and clothing donations have been made. It is the intention of the army to give every poor child a bag of fruit, candy and nuts and some kind of top who attends the Christmas tree Where necessary, clothing and shoes will be given to the little ones.
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