The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-02-17
CHRISTMAS. AT FORT FLAcLER.

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| Correspondence Of the Army and NavvJoprr.,,
FORT FLAGLER, WASH, January 3
1910. Fort Flagler did itself proud on
Christmas OF l9O9 and established a rec
ord for generous Christmas spirit. y
Our very efficient chaplain, E. P. Easter
! brook, in his usual energetic manner NIT
in most strenuous season preparatory
to genuine -old-fashioned Christmas eve
celebration, such as is seldom seen in
Army posts. A large sum was rener-
ously contributed by the officers, which
was invested in fruit, confectionery. TOYS.
as well as many useful articles. The
post amusement hall was most elabor-
ately decorated with Christmas greens
and all the bright-hued paraphernalia
possible to procure for such festive occa
sions, and two large trees were weighed
down beneath their glistening loads of
all the seasons novelties, and ablaze
with myriad tapers.
After short program, rendered most
admirably by the children of the post. the
familiar figure of Santa Claus rushed in
on his way to Seattle, accompanied bv
much iingling of bells and stamping Of
impatient hoofs, and enlivened the real
istic scene for a short time. to the entire
satisfaction of the little ones. With the
assistance of several of his willing ennis
saries with nimble fingers and strong
lungs, the gifts We're rapidly distributed
| There We're nearly five hundred sixteen
pound sacks filled to overlooking with
oranges, apples, candies, nuts and gifts.
Not man, woman or child on or about
the reservation was forgotten; soldiers
and civilian employees alike received a
sack with their names written on. Those
for the men contained, In addition to the
Christmas goodies, boxes of cigars, or
pipes and tobacco, also some funny toy
which caused great hilarity in many in
stances. Those for the women contain
ed Christmas boxes of nice chocolates
and dainty stationery. There was about
fifty dollars worth Of toys for children
and "grown-ups. The last feature of
the evening was a distribution by lot of
turkeys and chickens to every married
soldier. This event was conducted by
Captain Hilton, who held the sealed en-
velope which decided the question wheth-
err it be fine fat turkey or pair of
plump chickens.
Christmas day the dining halls of the
companies were very tastefully trimmed,
that of the 26th Company being very
elaborate, and the tables were loaded with
what was believed to be the finest holi-
day dinner ever cooked in Fort Flagler.
Just previous to mess call officers and
ladies made an approving inspection, and
our commanding officer, Major Will
oughby Wake, who recently arrived on
the post and was greatly interested in
the Christmas doings. pronounced the
Christmas eve celebration, the dinner
and the elaborate and beautiful decora-
ton of the dining halls the finest he had
witnessed in any post.
Saturday night the regular weekly
meeting of the Commissioned Staff
Club was held at the quarters of one of
it's members. This club, of about twenty
members, was formed in September last,
for whist and social entertainment, and
has proved very successful. In the early
part of the evening tree of goodly pro-
portions and lavishly decorated was light
We're distributed to everyone present,
after which whist was played until mid
night, prizes awarded and refreshments
served. Sunday large box of toys,
contributed by the soldiers, with fruit,
candy, a turkey and other Christmas
''fiXin' S" was carried to a family in the
little hamlet of Nordland just beyond the
reservation to cheer the hearts of six
motherless children, the eldest but
twelve years of age Monday evening
little hop was given in the gayly
trimmed dining hall of the 26th Company
for the families of the enlisted men, and
Wednesday Fort Casey entertained men,
bers of the Flagler and Worden garrisons
at hop in the evening.
New Years eve the whist club met
with Mr.. and Mrs. Rustard at the light
house, and passed one Of the most de-
lightful evenings since the inauguration
of the club. A delicious lunch was serv-
ed after the games, the old year was
rung out. the New Year rung in by the
vigorous keeper of the light, toasts were
drunk in the home brewed native wine
of Norway, and merriment reigned until
we'll into the wee sma' hours.
New Years day was rather a quiet
one in the post, the officers and their
families all attending the reception and
''open house" of the district commander
at Fort Worden.
This letter to the organ of the U. S.
Army and Navy was written by The Re
publican Journals entertaining CORE
spondent Vesta Davis Higgins, and will
be read with interest by her many Waldo
county friends. Mrs. Higgins writes
that she has had little time for CORE
spondence this winter, but will try to
send ''our paper something soon.