The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-24
a Hundred Made Happy
With Gifts.
FOR TIE HUNGRY
Baskets of Provisions Are Dis
tributed Today.
Organization Receives Gifts
From the Churches.

Proyident Association, IS little children
capered gleefully around one Of the
most beautiful and largest Christmas
tree ever seen in Topeka. At o'clock
q regular oId-fashioned Santa Claus clad
in red and white arrived at the room IN
his autcmc bile. Snap went the electric
lights ana ga sps Of joy came from each
little happy throat as the gorgeous tree
dashed forth shining With its MANY clec-
/ trio lights, gIistenfng ornaments and
presents.
Each child was given apple, an
orange. a package of candy and gift
Of some sort. The children who were
entertained in this way were all mem
bers Of either the sewing, cooking or
nursery departments Of the association
and this tree was given as a reward
for their good behavior during the past
4 year.
The tree and its decorations we're all
BILE citizens. The tree was the gift Of
Mr.. ]. H Skinner. the ornaments Of
Mrs. Schuyler Nichols and the strlnged
popcorn of Mrs. Earl Laurence
1 In addition to the gifts received by
the individual children the Provident
association as a whole has received
several substantial gifts. The First
Methodist church Is having gltt
Christmas tonight at which time they
are receiving equipment for the Provi-
dent association gymnasium ALREADY
some valuable equipment has come
from this source some of the pieces
costing as much as $50. Two classes
of little boys at the Walnut Grove
Methodist church have given set OF
six chairs for the office and other
classes in the same cnurcn are pan
ming similar donations.
Today the association gave out bas-
kets of food to a hundred poor fami-
/ lies In this part of the work they CO.
operate with the other organizations
of the city and the public at large. 1t
is their desire that in as many in
stances as possible that people giving
things deliver them in person to the
destitute families and in this way they
will come into personal contact with
the needy ones.
wednesday afternoon the Mothers
club is to have their Christmas meet
ing A program will be given includ-
ing a vocal solo by Mrs Riddle
Smythe and a violin solo by Miss 1rma
Doster. Each one OF the seventy-sevs-
en- mothers belonging to the club Will
receive a little Christmas token
AT Salvation Army.
AS early at II o'clock today SIN al
heads were thrust in al the door OF the
Salvation Army rooms to see IF that
basket is ready. Each inquirer was
told to return at 2 when the baskets
would be given out At noon the army
had their pictures taken before the
pile of baskets which were hlled TO
await the time of giving them out In
to each bushel basket has gone three
loaves Of bread, peck of potatoes, the
same of apples, a large tat chicken,
half pound of butter, can OF vege-
tables half pound of coffee and
pound Of sugar. Seventy-six of these
baskets have been prepared for this
afternoons rush but to all needy ones
asking. Ensign Omann says that none
will be turned away, This morning a
request came to him for ten or twelve
- y1r3h a
and he will give the baskets.
These donations are not made per-
miscuously but each case has been
carefully investigated and often hunt
ed out by the mem bers of the army.
Probably many people will receive
help from this source who would be
overlooked by the other charitable or
Plantations as the members Of the
army are pledged to do three hours OF
visiting each day and their ensign
saws: 1--WE do not visit the rich or the
well to do, but we go down among the
poor people, among the men VINO are
supporting a family on dollar and for
ty cents a day. If the man gets sick |
he pawns his furniture or borrowA
some money from some shark. To pay |
this debt keeps him with his nose to |
the grindstone. 1t is among these peo- |
pie that we work and to whom we ara |
giving the dinners and other gifts"
On Thursday afternoon a hundred !
pairs Of shoes and stockings will be /
given to the children which the Saliva /
ton Army has upon their lists. Ten |
pairs Of the shoes were donared by the |
Jones Dry Goods Co. the rest will be
purchased by the ensign with money
raised for the purpose. The children |
viii also receive candy and nuts.
How have you raised all this mon
n" was asked Ensign Oman1.-
I'VE have worked hard to do it, :" |
he replied Ninety dollars came in in |
subscriptions of $40 each. $40 in fives
and the rest has been dropped in the !
pots which have been on the streets
"You would hardly believe it," he
continued "hut those pots have aver
aged about $40 day"
Tomorrow no meetings or gift Civ
ing will be carried on by the Salvation /
army. I'VE have worked hard and !
We are going to rest tomorrow, but /
we will have a big day Thursday"
they say.