Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-26
TAFT FAMILY IN
A QUIET HOLIDAY
President Enjoys Himself With
Loved Ones With No For
NAL Events.
SAILORS REMEMBER RICH
Rockefeller, Mrs Sage, Miss Gould
and Others Honored by Men
of the Navy.

Washington, Dec. 2e.-Christmas
at the White house was observed
much as In the average American
family. The president was in his
library during the morning and. ex-
cept for a stroll during the after
noon, spent the rest OF the day with
Mrs. Taft and the children.
The feature was the family din
ner party last night. Only Mr.. and
Mrs. Taft, their children. Robert,
Charles and Miss Helen Taft and
several Harvard college friends of |
the presidents elder son were pres
ent-
Mrs. Taft and the children went
TO st. Johns church for the morn |
ing service. The president Joined
them for luncheon in the White |
house. Then the president went for
q walk through the residential sec
ton. On this journey he stepped
into the residence of Chief Justice
White Of the supreme court to ex-
tend Christmas greetings.
SAILOR GIFTS TO WEALTHY.
New York, Dec. 26.-The boys of
the navy surprised John d. Rookie
Teller. Mrs. Russell Sage and Miss
Helen Gould yesterday with Christ
mas presents in appreciation OF the
help they had given to the Young
Mems Christian association In the
navy.
A committee OF four bluejackets
from ships which make their home
port Norfolk, Va, came here with
a handsome table cover which the
sailors themselves had embroidered
working out the various naval en-
blems with great skill and presented
It to Mr.. Rockefeller.
Two other sailors Of the battle
ship Delaware made presents of
f1ne French clock to Miss Gould and
two dozen American beauty roses to
Mrs. Sage in behalf OF the naval Y.
NJ. c. A. OF Brooklyn, the establish.
ment and extension OF which was
made possible by their gifts.
MANY MESSAGES TO RILEY.
Indianapolis, Ind, Dec. 26.-
Twelve hundred letters OF Christ
mas greeting and sympathy came to
James Whitcomb Riley. the Hoosier
poet, who has been Ill for several
months.
II can't answer them," said Mr..
Riley. II can't hold a pencil. 1
wish ] could. But l am not 80
downcast as many OF my friends
seem to think. How could l be
when l have 30 many we'll wishers
whom ! never have even scent This
is a merry Christmas for me and
hope for all my unknown friends"
HUNDRED AND FIRST DAY.
Denver, Col, Dec. 26.-"The best
of all the 101 Christmas days /
have enjoyed" said Miss Mary
shearin in the midst OF her quiet
celebration OF Christmas and the an.
niversary of her birth. Miss shearin
makes her permanent home at ST.
Joseph's hospital, where she served
as q nurse for many years.
Many friends called and to them
Miss 5hearin related many interest.
ing Incidents of her long life.
Among them were events connected
with the great Chicago fire, Miss
shearin having been employed in the
home Of Judge Hooley at the time.
Incidents OF pioneer mining camp
life also were featured. she having
gone to Leadville, Col, long before
the boom days OF that mining camp.
ACCIDENTALLY KILLED AT FEAST.
Flint, Mich. TIC. 26.-Z. Tuczka
was shot dead in the presence OF
fve companions who were watching
the spreading OF Christmas ban
Quet table after they had attended
early mass at All Saints church.
They were talking OF hunting and
Tuczka volunteered to show q trick
about loading gun. Fred Matz
brought a gun from his room for
the demonstration. AS he was break
ing It to show Il was empty the
weapon was discharged and tore &
gaping wound through Tuczka'f
left lung. The victim was married
and 3S years old.
HoUsEMAIDs GET 81 900 EACH.
Hutchinson, Kan, Dec. 26.-Mrs.
Chester Day and Miss Alice Benne
field. who had been employed as do
mestics In the home OF Joseph Col
lingwood. a retired farmer OF Pretty
Prairie. each found in their Christ
mas stockings a check for $1,000
presented to them by Mr.. Colling
wood. Miss Bennefield ALSO receiv
ed q handsome gold watch. Mr..
Collingwood also gave a check for
$1,000 TO Rev. J. c. Beitel, pastor