The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1914-12-29
DR.. B. D. EVANS IN
SANTA CLAUS ROLE
State Hospitals Christmas a
Merry One for Unfortunatss.

Playing his usual role of Santa
Claus DR.. Britton ID. Evans, medical
director at the State Hospital at Nor
ris Plains started off the Christmas
festivities at the hospital on Christ
mas Eve.
While the patients were enjoying a
Christmas Eve dance, Santa Claus
suddenly appeared in the hall. His
arrival announced by the ringing of
bells, at the same moment, a hugh
Christmas tree brilliantly lighted with
small electric lights surrounded bv
christmas presents from the relatives
OF the patients was revealed. Up-
wards OF three thousand presents were
stacked high about the tree. Santa
Claus announced that he had made
quick trip from the homes made faith
erless by the ungodly war of Europe
ana also said in part From these sad
scenes come to you with sorrowful
neart only gladdened by the thought
Lnat | may make you happy and am
making the State Hospital my first
stop in this country" Looking at the
tree he remarked that it was evident
tnat the relatives of the patients, al
though they were very liberal in their
donations to the Belgians, had GER
talnly not forgotten their dear ones at
this institution. 1t was quite a task
Tor Santa Claus to give all the gifts
but he had the willing aid of the as
sistant physicians and supervisors.
When the patients were ready to
return to their wards they were very
much surprised to find their jolly and
cheerful host was Dr. Britton d. Ey-
ans, the Medical Director. When he
removed his wig and white whiskers
the patients were very profuse in their
applause and congratulations for the
remarkable way in which he had man.
aged to distribute the gifts.
On Christmas morning Christmas
card from DR.. and Mrs. Evans most
sincerely wishing them good cheer
for the Christmas holidays and New
Year filled with happiness" was re-
ceiyed by all the patients as they en-
tered the dining room for breakfast.
bountiful dinner was served at
noon, Santa Claus making his appear
ance and handing each patient a box
OF candy, an apple and an orange
In the afternoon the relatives of the
patients visited the institution. They
were very much surprised to find how
beautifully the patients had decorated
the various wards with the aid of diff
ferent colored papers artistically cut
in various designs. Great rivalry ex-
listed in the various wings of the in
stitntion to see which ward would
have the most artistic and tasteful
decoration.
The Christmas Day festivities clos
ed with vaudeville performance and
orchestral concert. During the in
Permission DR.. Evans thanked the
nurses and attendants for the cheerful
and energetic manner in which they
looked after the celebration of the
Christmas Holidays. He congratulate
ed the patients and nursing corps up
on the beautiful appearance of all the
wards of the institution, telling the
patients that he realized that the best
Christmas present he had to offer
would be an opportunity to leave the
institution and resume their places in
the outer world; he said that some
would soon be at home and he trusted
that they would appreciate what the
board OF managers had permitted him
to do to make their Christmas at the
institution a day of joy and gladness
TO those who must spend more time
at the hospital he announced thai
their feelings were shared by him and
that he trusted soon that they toe
would be in condition to leave the in
stitution. In the meantime he asked
them to try and forget their troubles
for the Christmas season at least and
be cheerful and happy and cooperate
with him in making this holiday sea
son stand out as an epoch in the his
tory of the institution.