Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-26
.fzzF'7PLAUD
'SANTA'S ARRIVAL
Or. Britton D. Evans Presents
Gifts Amid Touching Scenes
at Morris Plains.

d Especial to the Newark start
Il. MoRRISTowN, Dec. 2e.-Dr. Brit
D. Evans, medical director of the
state Insane Hospital at Morris
Plains. gave another evidence of his
versatility when on Christmas eve he
impersonated Santa Claus to the de-
light of hundreds of the unfortunates
in his care. Two beautifully decorat-
ed and illuminated Christmas trees
were provided by Warden Orlando M.
Bowen. They were set up, one in the
amusement hall in the main building
and the other in the hall in the dor
mitory building. The patients of each
building was seated in their respec-
tive assembly rooms, the orchestra
was divided into two parts and there
was dancing at each building.
DIR, Evans introduced q novelty this
year. Instead of following the usual
custom of permitting those patients
who have relatives and friends to
send in presents for them, he sent out
letters asking that the gifts be sent
in ahead of time, and that those who
were able would send remembrances
for those of the patients without rela-
tives and friends. The response TO
this appeal was surprise. The post
office was swamped, the express SER
vice to the hospital inundated ana
DR.. Evans, the medical stair, the war
den and the clerical staff, as well as
the nurses and attendants, nave mad
ali they could do to handle the Christ
mas bundles.
AeropIane supplants Sled.
Or. Evans donned the regalia OF
Santa, on Christmas eve and, appear
ing in the amusement hall of the main
= fal with nrOlOnRpu
applause. He explained that climatic
conditions were against the use OF his
time-honored sled and reindeer ana
that as much as he reVered all the
traditions of his accustomed means
of travel he was compelled to yield TO
modernism and resort to the airshlp;
but that any heartaches ne might
have felt were relieved by the oppor,
tunity the new means OF traVei
afforded him to spend longer tlIle
with the patients.
He discoursed with cheering effect
upon the patients of the causes for
inv upon the great religious festival
of Christmas, and stated that, whlle
the evidence of happiness so clearly
depicted upon their countenances
pleased him immensely, his joy would
be completed If the legal and other
restrictions did not prevent him from
presenting every patient with
s'ticket-of-leave" He explained that
he had his limitations in these mat
ters and that, while he constantly
striyed 10 do all he consistently could
for their happiness, he had to abide
by the statutes of the State and guide
his generosity accordingly. He ex-
plained that in view of the fact that
there were about eight hundred
patients in excess of the normal
capacity of the hospital 1t ought TO be
clear to everyone that he had no
motive in keeping anyone there who
could consistently be sent home.
by Santa Clause, assisted by the
supervisors, Miss Keegan and Mr..
Coleman, and the attendants. There
was a touch of sadness now and then,
though, when some patient would re-
ceive q gift from loved one at home
that would remind them of the Yule-
tide gathering around the fireside they
had to miss and would bring the tears
TO their eyes. Then there were others
who were as delighted as children
over their gifts. A dance closed the
evenings enjoyment.
q Exercises on Christmas day at the
hospital commenced with an early
morning service in the chapel. The
altar was beautifully decorated with
palms and cut flowers from the hos
pital greenhouses, under the super
vision of the State florist, Otto Koch.
The usual Christmas dinner was
skilfully prepared by the warden's de-
epartment, and the serving was
watched over by Dr.. Evans and his
assistant physicians. The dinner con-
sisted of over a ton and a half of
turkeys, mince pie of the combined
surface of city lot, the usual trim
mings incidental to Christmas din
ner and as an extra contribution the
institution presented each patient and
employee with box of candy and
fruit.
In the evening the patients we're
entertained by a high-class vaudeville
entertainment by talent furnished by
a New York agency. The wards of
the hospital are even more tastefully
decorated this year than usual, and a
decision has not yet been reched as
to which is the prettiest. though the
one with an airship is favorably con-
sidered.