The Detroit times., 1909-12-25
THIS, SURELY, is
REAL CHRISTMAS


his wake. The salOonkeeper Improved
each shining moment and the mid
night hour. when the thirst stations
closed down for two whole days. came
all too soon for some. But most OF
those who left the barrooms were well
fortified for the long drought, as eviy
denced by bulging pockets and sun
dry elongated packages.
feature OF the eleventh-hour shop
ping rush was an unprecedented de-
mand for Christmas trees. When the
| regular supply had been exhausted
storekeepers who had employed trees
In their Yuletide decorations were be-
sieged by the disappointed ones and
fabulous prices were offered for the
greenery. The valpey Shoe Co. had
several trees outside it's store, and
though not for sale. everyone OF them
had disappeared when closing time
came. Some OF them were given
away, while others were purloined. In
former years, street vendors OF Christ
mas trees have had a large portion o!
their stock left over.
One OF the most pleasant OF the pub
lie celebrations was the program
given by the Salvation Army for the
little folks. Friday evening. Interest
ing exercises had been arranged and
there were gifts Of candy. nuts, books
toys. ETC.. for every boy and girl.
All the public and private institu
tions that did not observe Christmas
Eve hold their exercises today.
II is estimated that upwards OF
Z 900 poor persons were made happy
In Detroit this Christmas. In 400
homes today bountiful feasts will be
spread through the kindness OF the
Salvation Army. The Volunteers of
America entertained 200 poor children
with a Christmas tree in the hall at
No. 81 Monroe-ave., Friday evening.
Each child received two new suits Of
underwear and some other article OF
clothing. In addition to a toy or two
and a bag OF sweets. The American
Salvation Army distributed baskets to
70 families.
Frederick X. Stearns, as usual. Is
sending out toys and CONNECTIONS TO
1000 good boys and good girls" the
list Of names having been furnished
by the Associated Charities. The total
number of persons made happy
through the instrumentality OF the
Associated Charities Is about 1000.
Police Commissioner Croul has ar.
ranged to provide all unfortunates de-
tanned in the various stations, the ma
jority Of whom were gathered In Fri
day night. turkey dinner.
The annual Christmas exercises are
being held in the Shelter home, con-
Quoted by the Society for the Proven
ton of Cruelty to Children, and they
will have a generous feast.
The boys of the Detroit University
school contributed $50 for the crippled
children in the Van Leuven-Browne
home. Tha pupils of the Detroit Home
and Day school followed the usual
custom of sending gifts to an asylum
for Negro children In the south.
Preliminary to his tour OF the
homes. Christmas Eve, Santa Claus
visited the commercial and Industrial
institutions Of the city Friday after
noon, distributing good cheer wherever
he went. Bank clerks were literally
rewarded for faithful service during
the year just closing. Stenographers
and others employed In large ONCE
buildings were all remembered with
appropriate gifts, and, In some IN
stances, with substantial advances In
salary.
The 700 employees Of the American
Blower Co. sat down to bountiful re-
past in the company's dining room Fri
day noon There was turkey with
cranberry sauce and all the good
things that go with this combination.
Following a custom put into erect
three years ago the company pre-
sented each employe with a crisp new
dollar bill for every Christmas he had
been In the company's service. Inc
amounts ranged from 81 to $2S. The
great majority OF the employees re-
ceiyed more than IS. Addresses were
made by President James Inglis, Vice
President Charles II. Clifford. and Sec
retarv Frederick R. Still. Frank NC
Murdie general superintendent, re-
sponded for the employees. OF whom he
is one Of the Oldest In addition TO
the money gift, each employe received
neat booklet containing history
of the flrm.
Hamilton Carhartt. Jr., distributed
more than four tons Of turkeys among
his employees, with the compliments or
the season.
EaCn emplOye VI ehc bStiO'S
Graphite Co. was presented with a
sum OF money. in proportion to his
salary.
Employees OF r. S. Webb. well known
packer at Grand River-ave. and Lo-
cust-st., who retires from business
Jan. /. presented him with n hand
some upholstered leather rocking
chair and foot rest
Michigan Grocery Co. employees each
received an appropriate gift, and they,
in turn, remembered Matthew Han
non. head OF the concern. with an
elaborate cut glass set.
He had been celebrating Christmas
eve not wisely but two well. and In
conseouence had reached that condi-
ton where his head was slightly mud
died. while his knees and ankles
simply would not behave. Ill-luck
caused him to step on a bit OF smooth
crment sidewalk where some boys, had
converted the damp snow into a slide.
And he sld-slid until his shoulder
blades cracked against the walk
with such dignity as he could mus
ter. he retrieved his hat and got to
his feet.
"It isn't the f-f-fall.' he announced
eravelv to a man who had stopped 20
assist him. ITS the fact that | live