Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-01
USHER TN TEAK
WITH USUAL DIN.
Merry Gatherings Are Held to Watch
the Passing Of 1905 and the
Arrival of 1909.
MIDNIGHT HOUR is NOISY
EIks Club, x. of C. Hall, and Masonic
Temple Scenes of Brilliant Par
ties-Dsy is Holiday.

The rev year, 1909, was ushered in
with ali 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 CT the day.
The crowds on tae 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 carly 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 a happy program of
readings was given by Miss Henrietta
Kianer, one of her numbers being Rob-
ert Rexdale's bit of Elks verse, "At
| the Eleventh Hour" Following Miss
Kinners program dancing was the or
| der, and until the hours of the new
year had arrived and been duly greet
ed, theSyoung 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
Ill
Knights of Columbus, at the X. of c..
hail. At the Masonic temple Rock Is
land lodge A. F. & 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 a 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 a 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 at
ternoon and this evening entertain
ments are provided by the drill corps
of Rock Island commandery, Knights
Templar. musical program is fur
nished by troubadours, and dancing
follows. This afternoon children's
dancing party was provided from 8
to o'clock. and this evening there
will be a dancing party for the older
people.
Open House at Y. NJ. G. A.
At the Y. NJ C. A. "open house, was
kept all day, and this afternoon and
+ this evening athletic exhibitions and
: games are the feature The annual
: sale of magazines by auction will be
, held this evening. The association
helpers are to serve luncheon at the
| building from $50 to ESQ.