Omaha daily bee., 1914-12-26
GAS COMPANY SANTA
VISITS EMPLOYEES
Wives and Children Remembered
in a Hearty Christmas Fashion
with Many Nice Things.
W. E. DAVIS PLAYS THE ROLE
Personally Sees 90 ~ that Everyone
NJ Gathering In Washington Hall
is Remembered--Med 60
q. W. CInbnugh.

Santa Claus was no respecter OF per.
sons yesterday. when at Washington hall
ne presented himself before the employees
OF the Omaha Gas company, their wives
and children. some 3J0 persons in all
lie treated them well, giving cigars to
the men, candy to the women and suit
able and appropriate presents, such as
dolls. sleds skates and toys of various
kinds. to the children with tho children
the old friend OF all. ricn and poor. went
them one better and besides handing
over 20 Thorn their presents. among them
he distributed quRntite, OF candy and
nuts.
The Christmas by the Gas company was
following out plan that dates back some
ten years. Each Christmas the company
gathers its employees and the members
OF their families at some suitable place
and then and there the officers carry out
a program previously arranged. For
long time tho Christmas gatherings were
held at the company plant at Twentieth
and Center streets, but the attendance
at the annual functions outgrew the old
meeting place and larger one had to
be secured this year, so Washington hail
was secured. Here the stage was trans
formed into n we'll appointed home. with
large fireplace at the rear. About Il
were chairs. tables and the convent
ences of the home, and in a small bed
In one corner slept two make believe
children.
Davis Regular Santa,
IL was night. 80 to speak. and when
everything was as still as mouse. as
the story goes, down the chimney of the
fireplace slid w. D. Davis. manager OF
the South Omaha office to the delight
Of tho children. ali logged out In real
Santa Claus clothing. Without having
much 70 say, he got busy. and with a
lavish hand commenced the distribution
OF his gifts. not missing person. Then
there was real JOY and the youngsters
voted Santa Claus and the Gas company
the prime favorites of the holiday season,
The appearance OF Santa Claus and
the distribution OF gifts was preceded by
a literary and musical entertainment of
real merit. starting with Harry Disbrow
rendering tho Birthday OF a Klng," fol-
lowed by the Christmas greeting by w.
H. Taylor OF the general offices. Helene
Henderson recited "A Christmas Tree
followed by Harry Disbrow singing
selection. Then Margaret recited kris
KrinRle's Christmas" after which q.
w. Clabaugh, vice-president and secre-
tary of the company. delivered short
address, telling of the inception OF the
Christmas idea as introduced by the Gas
company.
MIR. Clabaugh Gets Medal.
Right at this stage OF the proceedings,
Frank Hamilton. company president, oc-
cupied the center of the stage and pre-
scented Mr.. Clabaugh with gold medal
that he will wear until the Christmas en-
tertaInment next year.
When the gas company insugurated the
Christmas entertainment idea. a gold
medal was presented to the oldest em-
pioye in point of service at that time.
since then the medal has been going the
rounds, each year going to the ernpioye
who has been with the company the
longest, he surrendering It at the end OF
a year. This year It came to Mr.. Cia-
baugh, in point OF years OF service, he
being the Oldest employe undecorated.
To Mr.. Clabaugh. who responded briefly,
President Hamilton presented the medal
IN a neat and timely speech, after which
Misses Cecil and Jean Taylor and Agnes
Anderson sang and then Santa Claus got
busy. From that time on until the en-
tertainment came to a close. the young
STEERS held the floor and were masters
of the situation.