Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1915-12-31
CHRISTMAS DAY
City Is Very Quiet With Sunday-like
Aspect
Individuals and Societies Spread Good
Cheer

Christmas 1915 has come and gone.
1t will be remembered as a merry and
happy day by all classes of our citizens.
None but had something to make the
day bright spot in their lives. Those
not in position to do for themselves,
their children or Others were cared for.
Not home was overlooked by Santa
Claus.
All the week the streets were crowd
ed with shoppers. The people had
money to spend and they spent it. All
of the merchants report bigger vol
ume of business than last year and
some say their sales surpassed any OF
previous years.
Ali of Christmas morning the SalV a.
tion Army distributed baskets contain
ing a chicken and all of the things TO
go with it to make nice Christmas
dinner. The Elks, in their quiet way,
provided many homes with cheer. In
the upper end of the city Miss Kate
Hackett, shut.in, distributed over
200 presents TO children. There was a
steady stream of little ones in and out
of her home for many hours and none
left empty handed. Miss Edith Bow
en-, for the Sunnysjde Club, took many
presents to Miss Hackett for distribu.
ton, others were furnished by the sun
81 eli oil
given by Miss Hackett herself.
AT the Children's Home there was
joyous scene. There was a Christmas
tree with presents for all, fine dinner
and plenty of fruit, nuts and candy.
The inmates of the Town Farm and
of the hospital were remembered by
relatives, friends and others and ali
were made more cheerful.
The only tmusements during the
day swere the theatres. These were
we'll patronizad afternoon and evening.
Very few people were on the streets.
Most were at home or in the homes of
others enjoying the day. 1t was really
an unusually bright Christmas for the
people of our city who are enjoying a
full share of prosperity and the fortu-
nate ones were anxious that their less
fortunate nelghbors enjoy share of
their blessings with rthe result that
those who gave and those who receiv.
ed were equally blessed.
The first community Christmas tree
was decided success. 1t was put on
the lot at the corner Of Grove and
South Main streets through the courte.
sy of Postmaster Alex Gilman. 1t
was under the auspices of the Putnam
Chamber of Commerce, the committee
in charge being Mrs. w. F. Rafferty,,
Mrs. Ida G. Kennedy, j. A. P. Gagne,
d. B. Gilbert and l.. 0. Williams.
The tree was Illuminated for the first
time Wednesday evening. 400 chill
dren of the parochial school headed by
the Putnam Military band marched
from the north end of the city and fur
nished music.
Thursday evening 100 children of the
Israel Putnam school sang notwith-
standing the weather was unfavorable.
On Friday evening the Congrega-
tional choir led in singing Christmas
carols. Mrs. Thomas Corcoran sang
the old Christmas hymn, Come, All
Ye Faithful, the choir joining in the
chorus. Irwin Tourtellotte appeared
as Santa Claus to the delight of the
children. After the exercises at the
tree he passed through the business
section and the stores wishing all .
Merry Christmas.
In the evening the choir of the Con-
gregationaI church started at ii O'Clock
and made a tour of the city singing
Christmas carols wherever q lighted
candle appeared in 1.-THE window of a
home. They arrived at the parsonage
at / O'Clock where an oyster supper
was served.