The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-12-26
|C|TY'S SECOND CHRISTMAS
/ DAY PROVES A MERRY ONE

hundreds of homes and to hundreds OF
children, and great weight was lift
ed OF the hearts of many fathers and
mothers by the Goodfe1lows, and the
community Christmas workers..
All day Thursday and part Of the.
morning Christmas day was takeS
up with the distribution of baskets.
There were food baskets and toy bask
cts containing warm clothes distrib-'
uted to over three hundred homes
from the community depot. Investiga-
tion had been made by the young
women In charge of the depot, and
such baskets as were necessary for
the needs OF each family were ascer-
tanned. and Santa Claus instructed to
bring those baskets.
There were many trips necessary.
trips that brought one face to face
with dire poverty. some times, but
trips which always had their reward
from the smiles and the happiness
which the baskets always produced.
Cabin Boat Row and the poorest house
at the other extremity Of the town
was visited and baskets of food.
clothing and toys left for the families.
No one was missed that possibly
could be reached.
There is whole story in the work
of the community depot. Many calls
came to them pitiful calls, calls that
were made falteringly because it was
something new to have to ask aid,
calls that were made feeling that il
refused here there was no hope for
Christmas in the little home.
Many Tragedies Averted.
But fortunately through the gen.
ercsity of Keokuk and through the
faithfulness OF the people at the COM
munity depot and those in charge OF
the city's Christmas, most of the calls
were met-always where there was
need. One can tell of the baby whose
mother was out Of work, and the
baby was crying with hunger. and
how one of the nurses gave it sc:ne-
thing to eat, and arranged for food
for the mother and clothes for the
child. And then there was the man
to whom such an errand was new
thing. but who was strictly up against
1t, and who faced the tragedy of a
Christmasless home, but whose fears
were allayed when he found that the
community depot was taking care OF
the children at home. Hundreds OF
incidents such as these occurred
o&h.r Events % Dav.
In the morning of Christmas day
the people who were invited by the
Baker Dodge company through the
community headquarters to partake
OF their Christmas treat at the Grand,
were entertained by the annual treat
which the managers Of this theatre
have inaugurated. Tickets were sent
out with the Goodfellows baskets.
and the Grand was the mecca for
many happy people, men. women and
children
And in the afternoon society dane
ed for charity The white Christmas
party was held at the E;ks club in
the ball room. It was a happy occas-
ion and was well attended
Altogether Keokuk's Christmas may
:"
be said to have been a Merry One"
Some Of Those Who Helped.
Those who aided in delivering the
baskets on Thursday were John c.
Scott, the sheriff-elect, Jack Ellsworth,
Mr.. Carnahan, Miss Mary Irwin. Miss
Elsie Buck, Miss Alton, Mr.. Brown,
end two drivers whose names the
committee did not get, but who gave
most efficient aid with teams and
wagons.
The assistance OF Mr.. Brown, who
is crippled with rheumatism, was
doubly appreciated by the committee.
He is almost helrless but insisted on
aiding in the distribution.
CITY NEWS