Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-12-26

CHRISTMAS
The Season Was Observed in This
Vicinity With Unusual Heartiness
and Good Cheer.
SERVICES AT THE CHURCHES
elks Christmas Tree at the Opera
House the Feature Of the
Festivities.

ed in Lewistown this year with per.
maps even more than usual heartiness
and good cheer, owing in part, no
doubt. that Sunday Immediately pre-
ceded the holiday. At all the church.
es except the Catholic, special services
were held with attractive musical pro-
grams, and there were the usual
Christmas trees for the little ones. al
though the elders enjoyed these gath
erlngs as much, apparently. as the
juveniles. Then there were, of course.
the family gatherings, the exchange
of gifts and all the hallowed customs
that make this day the brightest one
on the calendar of Christendom.
The services at the Catholic church
were omitted entirely, owing to an ac-
cident that Rev. Father Francis Van
Clarenbeck met with. He was return
ing to his home from visit at the
residence of Alderman John Laux Fri.
day night when he slipped on the ice.
and railing heavily. broke his leg.
He was at once removed to Mr.. Laux's
nome and the fractured member was
set. Later. the injured priest will be
removed to the sisters hospital
Eiks Christmas Tree.
The feature of the Christmas fes.
uvltles, however was the Elks Christ
mas tree at the opera house. An i'm.
mense tree had been set up on the
stage and at 3 o'clock hundreds of
children filed the auditorium. Short.
tn
ed with an immense bag slung over his
shoulder. Not many of the little ones
had ever seen their patron saint in
his proper person before, and the oc-
casion filled them with delight. They
found Santa to be very much like the
pictures they had seen of him, and
some of the older ones thought they
detected resemblance between the
children friend and our townsman.
George w. Cook, but of course that
was purely imaginary, and only shows
what a good looking fellow Santa is.
Inc Old gentleman made neat
speech to the children. telling them
how much he thought Of them all and
wishing each one a merry Christmas.
Having an engagement at Helena the
same afternoon he was compelled to
leave early. but he left presents for
all the children
Hon. Frank E. Smith made the var
ious announcements. and the distribu-
ton OF the presents was looked after
by Mrs. George J. Wiedeman, Mrs.
Austin w. War; Mrs. Darrow, Mrs.
Lehman and other ladies'.
A very interesting program was car
r1ed out, and added much to the pleas
ure of all. Mrs. Harry Yaeger was
heard to excellent advantage in vo-
cal solo, and Miss Jennie Fulton gave
a reading that delighted the audience.
The Presbyterian church choir also
contributed to the success Of the en-
tertainment. the members being Mrs.
Will White, Miss Froembling. Oswald
Lehman and G.. II Beasley. with Mrs.
Plum as accompanist.
Busy at the Postoffice.
The buiest place in Lewistown dur
ing the past few days has been the
postoffice. In addition to the usual
business. Mr. Pfaus and his corps of
assistants have had to handle the
largest number of Christmas pack
ages that has ever passed through the
local pOstoffice. For some DAYS prior
TO Christmas the outgoing mails car
ried hundreds of packages sent by
Lewistown people to relatives and
friends all over the country, and by
the time this rush was over the in
coming mails began to bring Christmas
packages for distribution here. and
his continued right up to last night
and is hardly over yet Last nights
nail was one of the largest yet re-
.elved and the pOstoffice was crowd
ID with people from 80 to 1880 The
Extra business was taken care of with
and the favored ones were
made happy by getting their pack
lges right on time.