Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-01
USHER I'm TEAK
With USUAL Din
Merry Gatherings Are He'd to Watch
the Passing Of 1908 and the
Arrival of 1909.
MIDNIGHT HOUR is NOISY
Elks Club, x. of c. Hall, and Masonic
Temple Scenes of Brilliant Par
ties-Day is Holiday.

The new year, 1909, was ushered in
with all the usual ceremonies, includ-
ing the ringing of bells, blowing of
whistles, firing of guns, and other
things that contribute to the merry |
noise that mark the passing of the
cid year and the welcome of the new. |
Scores of watch parties were held and |
the early hours of 1909 saw the down |
town streets thronged with people as
they are at busy hour of the day.
The crowds on the streets came from
the different social gatherings held in
celebration of the arrival of the new
year, and hundreds who left their
homes in the late hours of 1908 could
be seen vending their way homeward
again in the early hours of 1909.
Watch parties and religious services
were held in many of the churches,
and pretty parties were held at three
of the lodge halls, the Elks club, the
K of c. nall, and the Masonic temple
! At the Elks club happy program of
readings was given by Miss Henrietta
KinneT, one Of her numbers being Rob-
ert ReXdale's bit of Elks verse, ''At
the Eleventh Hour Following Miss
Kinner's program dancing was the or
! der, and until the hours of the new
year had arrived and been duly greet
ed, the young people were on the floor.
| 1t was one of the most successful and
brilliant events ever held by Rock Is
land lodge. Another pretty watch
night dancing party was that given by
the memDehs of AlloueZ council.
knights of Columbus, at the K. of c..
hall. At the Masonic temple Rock Is
land lodge, A. F. G. A. NJ. celebrated
its 3Sth anniversary with a program
and social session.
Scores of little parties We're held in
private homes, and it is certain that
the great majority of the city's popu-
lation was awake at the midnight hour
to see the passing of the old year.
Day is Holiday.
The day was observed as general
holiday today, the banks, public Off
ces. and practically all of the stores
and factories being closed But one
delivery of mail was made during the
day. leaving the postoffice at 9:15.
Holiday hours prevailed. and the Of
fee was closed after 10 o'clock.
During the day services were held
in many of the churches of the city,
and exercises fitting to the first day
of new time period were held
In the way of amusement for the
public the theaters and the roller rink
filled the bill. At the Illinois the at
traction is East Lynne" and at the
vaudeville houses good holiday bills
are offered. The roller rink offered the
usual holiday program for those who
find roller skating a pleasant recrea-
ton. At the Masonic temple this af.
ternoon and this evening entertain.
ments are provided by the drill corps
. of Rock Island commandery, knights
Templar A musical program is fur
nished by troubadours, and dancing
: follows. This afternoon a children's
dancing party was provided from
+: to 5 o'clock. and this evening there
will be a dancing party for the Older
people.
4 Open House mt Y. NJ. C. A.
: AT the Y. M. c. A. open house" was
kept all day, and this afternoon ant
J. this evening athletic exhibitions ant
: games are the feature. The annua
s. sale of magazines by auction will b.
:, held this evening. The association
helpers are to serve luncheon at thu
IL building from $50 to ESQ.
If Masonry since its origin, but ever,