The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-12-26
MANY PEOPLE FACE
ELEMENTS TO SEE
C|TrS XMAS TREE
Estimated That Between s.
900 and $500 Attend
Affair.
SANTA REMEMBERS
900 POOR KIDDIES
While Band Plays, Children
March in Line to Get
Candy.

For the first time in its history,
Richmond as a municipality had real
Christmas party of its own.
Between 5000 and $500 persons. 1t
was estimated. braved the inconveni-
ence OF driving snow and a bowling
wind, gathered around the towering
Christmast tree on North A street,
between Seventh and Eighth. and
heard the singing of famous songs by
the chorus, and speeches by Mayor
Zimmerman. Mayor-elect Robbins. the
Rev. Father F. A Roell and City At
torney W. A Bond
Because of the inclement weather,
part of the charitable plans of the
committee were not carried out The
food and clothing were not disturbed
and will be turned over TO charitable
organizations.
More than five hundred pounds of
candy were given to little children.
However. many could not brave the
weather for the hours duration of the
program and left before the distribu-
tion began. About nine hundred sacks
of candy were given away. .s=s
Street Crowded.
| The crowd began to assemble at
O'Clock last evening. and the number
grew until A street from Seventh To
Eighth was filed, while many remain
ed in the Y. NJ. c. A. to watch the
! festivities Several hundred gathered
! gathered on the steps Of St. Mary's
church, from which the speeches were
delivered and where the bands were
1t was estimated by members OF
municipal Christmas tree committee
that of the three thousand persons
present when the program opened
at 81 o'clock. fifteen hundred
| were little children. Poorly clad and
| wearing ragged shoes. many of those
| for whom the celebration was intend
| ed, we're forced to return to their
homes without a gift.
The Richmond City band opened the
program with a selection of popular
music. At a signal from Mayor Zim-
| norman, master of ceremonies. the
chorus. not as large as the committee
had planned. sang a Christmas an
them.
+, Sing From Y. M. C.. A.
| Many did not know where the sing
| ers were, as the high wind first car
ried the voices away, but as the cho-
rus swelled the gaze OF every one was
turned to the upper floors of the Y.
| NJ. c. A. The chorus was singing
| far above the street from the open
/ windows of the association building.
| II feel deeply this honor as 1 pre-
sent to the citizehs of Richmond their
| first Christmas tree, as CITY," Was
! the way Mayor Zimmerman opened
! his speech. He spoke for some time.
| telling in part the story of Bethlehem
| and the gathering of the angel chorus.
/ Father F. A. RoelI of St. Andrews
| church, delivered a Christmas talk,
| which, although short, was striking.
He closed with. Suffer the little chill
dren to come unto Me. for of such is
the kingdom of heaven"
To Pcrpetuate Idea.
Pledging himself to perpetuate the
! Christmas tree idea as far as he viii
be able, Mayor-elect Robbins said he
hoped to have the occasion OF the 1914
! Municipal Christmas tree as auspi-
cious as the present one. The speak
! ing was closed by City Attorney Bond.
who spoke of the children and others
who are still little children in their
hearts"
Then came the moment for the chill
dren who suffered the inconvenience
of cold feet and noses and stayed
through the program. Santa Claus
left his station on the big auto truck
where the candy was stored. and a
procession OF children formed behind
him on the south side of the street
Cooper's band then took the platform.
AS the long line marched forward. led
by Santa Claus. they cheered and
whistled.
Every Child Supplied.
/ They were led past the autotruck
while the members of the COMMITTEES
put forth their best efforts to give a
bag of candy to each one. Two big
policemen were there to lift the tiny
ones to level with the truck so that
they would not be missed in the dis
tribution of the city's gifts.
Many carried baskets. expecting to
secure clothing and food. The sup
ply which had been collected. how
ever. will be delivered TO poor fam
lilies later.
X After IL has been thoroughly funf-
gated by Sanitary Inspector Young.
the clothing will be taken 20 the Sal
vation Army quarters Provisions VIII
also be given the Salvation army.
II Candy for Orphans
Enough candy to distribute TO the
children at the Wernle Arphans' Home
Il was sent there. and the residue was
/ given to the Penny club. The Asso-
ciated Charities received the money
which the committee had on hand
II Members of the committee met at
the home of Mayor Zimmerman after
the crowds had dispersed. and decided
TO leave the Christmas tree standing
/ three or four days It viii be well
guarded by patrolmen so that the
CONTINUED On Page Ten.)