Fergus County Democrat., 1915-12-30
THE CHRISTMAS
SPIRIT MARKED
BIG RUSH AT THE POSTOFFiCE
DURING THE EARLY HOURS
OF THE DAY.
WAS WHITE CHRISTMAS AFTER ALL

1t looked like a brown Christmas
during the morning and the weather
conditions were not altogether pleas
ant, for while it was mild there was
some wind, which stirred up the dust.
In the afternoon. however, everything
was changed. The storm that had
threatened, came. and the white snow
flakes soon covered the ground, while
the air grew crisp and sharp. AS 1t
was Saturday, some of the stores re
manned open for Il short time in the
morning, but the rest of the day was
n holiday for everyone. There were
morning services at some OF the
churches and the postoffice was
scene of animation until after the noon
hour, hundreds of packages being
handed over to those remembered by
relatives and friends at distance.
In the afternoon people kept to their
homes and the streets were deserted.
There were innumerable family re-
unions and social gatherings Evening
brought out the crowds again and the
places of amusement were packed.
while a Christmas dance was literally
patronized. Altogether, il was happy
Christmas for Lewistown, the prelim-
mary work done by the Associated
Charities taking supplies to all the
needy ones.
The hotels, which have been crowd
ed for weeks. had no trouble in car
ing for guests yesterday as all those
who travel had gone to their homes
for Christmas so far as possible. Tho
hotels and restaurants had elaborate
spreads and dispensed good cheer
throughout the day. 50 that the way
farer found himself we'll provided for.
The Knights TempIar.
The annual Christmas observance
of the Knights Templar Saturday
morning proved to be the most notable
gathering the local commandery has
ever had upon an occasion of this kind.
| The attendance was very large and a
fine spirit prevailed. Acting Eminent
Commander w. ID. Symmes presided
and the responses to the various
toasts were all appropriate and some
of them exceptionally fine, including
that of DR.. G. G. Wallin, "To Those In
Distress and Affliction:" "To the
Governor of the State of Montana.
by Burton r. Cole; "To the President
of the United States" by w. M. Black
ford, and Mayor Symmes response tc
the toast proposed by Harry G., Brown
In addition to this, o. f. Wasmans
dorff read special greeting to the
commandery from Grand Commander
Stephen p. Wright, with some very
interesting comments by Mr.. Was
mansdorff. Equally interesting was
the comment of G, j. Wiedeman upor
the greetings received.
The toast to the acting grand master
was proposed by j. w. Seiden and re
sponded to by L. b. Lehman; to the
Grand commonder by O. +. Wasmars
dorff, with the response by T. u
Wright; to Eminent Commander J. i.
Lane, responded to by G. J. Wiaie
man; to visiting fraters by w. J, Mont
gomery, responded to by Mr.. Brook
"ihe baby members" responded TO- b,
Frank w. Meredith. The speaitin,
c.Osed with an impressive prayer f.
peace by George w. Cook.
Mr. Symmes read numerous tele
grams of greeting from different part
of the state as the greetings sent b.
the commandery to absent knights
one being wireless, which yesterda
overlook Eminent Commander J. +
Lane on the Pacific, some distance on
from Honolulu, on his way to Japan.
Sunday morning the Knights as
sembled at the asylum at 1913
prompt and attended divine worshi
at the Presbyterian church.