The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-25
MANY CHILDREN
 ARE MADE HAPPY EIks Give Away About Six Hun-
 dred Presents BIJ0U THEATRE PACKED Largest Crowd in History of Local
Largest Crowd in History of Local Lodge Gathered to See Children Receive Gifts of All
 Kinds.

The Elks made over 500 children happy
 yesterday afternoon at the Bijou theatre.
 In addition to the children about 1900 persons witnessed the annual distribution of Christmas presents to the deserving i little ones
 "If the exercises gave the spectators as
 much pleasure as it gave the members
 of Birmingham Lodge No. 79. Benevolent
 and Protective Order of Elks, we are sat- isffed,' said Exalted Ruler Eli P. Smith just before the exercises were concluded. For the first time in the history of
 the local-lodge the annual Christmas tree
 event was not held at the home of the lodge. The popularity of the Elks and
 the generosity displayed by the order
 has grown to such an extent In the past few years that the accommodations at
 the home are inadequate to provide fo the event.
 Toys of every description were present. ed the children who called. Candies and
 money were also given away. The Rev. Quincy Ewing, an Elk and pas tor of the Church of the Advent opened
 the exercises with prayer
 Exalted Ruler Eli P. Smith made brief address to the throng that crowded the theatre. He said:
 We have an annual habit of trying to
 bring happiness, good cheer and pleasure to every good and deserving child. If the children whom we are trying to make happy, get as much joy and happiness out of the event as the Elks, we are satis- fled.
 Nothing pleases an Elk more than to
 see pleasure, happiness and good will
 reign among the people, We intend to aid in the happiness of over 500 children. It is pleasure to us and will be as long as Elkdom exists If we aid in bring ing pleasure to the children we are more pleased than they"
 Santa Claus Enters. At the conclusion of Exalted Ruler Smiths address, Santa Claus, John Myer, accompanied by Past Exalted Ruler Charles S. Simmons, entered the theatre. St. Mich, and the former head of tt Elks, were greeted with cheers by {. horned men and the audience. The orphans from the Orphans home at East Lake and the inmates of the Mercy home were seated in the theatre when Santa Claus and Past Exalted Ruler Sim | mons entered. St. Mich immediately sought the children and held a brief re- ception with them as his guests. He | then mounted the stage and invited his friends to call
 For two hours a constant stream of children walked down the aisle of the theatre and on the stage. There they were presented with toys. money, candy and other Christmas presents by the Elks. This pleasure and authority had been previously delegated to the members of the order by Santa Claus. St. Mich him. self was at the end of the stage greeting with beamng smiles on his face the chi- dren who came to partake of the gen. erosity.
 The members of the local lodge who were on the stage and assisted in the dis tribution of Christmas presents to the children were: Exalted Ruler Eli P. Smith, Past Exalted Rulers Peter Houp- pert, J. T. Glover, John W. O'Nell C. s. Simmons, E. J. McCrossin, w. J. McCros- sin, Esteemed Leading Knight John F. Antwine Esteemed Lecturing Knight l.. N. Archer, William Caldwell, Frank Cahalan, Lige Loy, Hugh Odom, w. A. Shropshire. W. S. Shepherd M L. Semons and others.
 The Christmas tree was set in the cen ter of the stage. with the insignia of the order, large Elk, standing by the tree. draped in the colors of the Elks, purple and white. Around the tree the presents for the children were placed. Professor Hanes, an Elk. and his or chestra all Elks, rendered their services free.
 Picturesque Scene. From the balcony of the theatre a pie turesque scene was witnessed. The lower floor was packed lights were shining from the children who had come to receive gifts from the Elks and ripples of laughter were heard. Children mingled with the old folks, sound of happiness were heard on all sides.
 When Exalted Ruler Smith and St. Mich declared everything in order for the exercises a constant stream of children commenced to march on the stage. There they received the presents. A committee was in waiting to receive those who had received gifts. From the stage the child ren were ushered out on the street, on the Seventeenth street side of the thea tre. There a committee was in waiting to assist the little ones down the stair way in safety to the street The children were greeted on the Sev- enteenth street side of the theatre at the stage entrance by a crowd that packed the street and sidewalk. Officers were on hand to clear way for the recipients of the Elks gifts and generosity. Past Exalted Ruler Peter Houppert said: "I sincerely hope we have aided in the pleasure of the children. We love them all, as all men and women should love children. Nothing has pleased the Elks more in years than the pleasure ex- perienced this afternoon in being honored with a privilege of being an Elk to help and distribute joy to children" The exercises are an Elk event exclu- sively Contributions are made to the Christmas fund, but no one but an Elk is allowed the privilege of contributing.
 There were about four hundred Elks in the theatre yesterday during the exer-