The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-12-24
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Washington-The long search for
Mrs. Santa Claus, who persisted i'm
being as elusive as her great and gen
erous partner, has brought the dis
covery that she has been living quiet
ly in the capital of the country. Mrs.
Santa hides herself here under the
name Of Miss Alice Purinton. In the
United States patent Office she is
busy each day deciding on the new
toys that viii fill the Christmas pack
Of Santa and bring joy to American
children. She has the entire conf
dence not only of Santa but OF Uncle
Sam, and with them she works very
hard for the benefit of the children.
This year Miss Purinton has been es-
pecially busy, for American inventive
genius took a brand new spurt, and
she has had her hands full selecting
the really new. ideas from the old
and worn out. Miss Purinton is a
graduate of the University of Ne
braska; her home state, and she
unites with technical mechanical edu-
cation a wonderful human under
standing Of her work that makes her
an invaluable assistant to Santa
Claus and to the patent Office.
Mflwaukee-One of the most sem
sational charges ever brought against
society women was that made by a
Milwaukee department store manager
recently, in which he alleged that 25
Per cent Of the costly gowns worn at
the horse show were taken on ap-
proval" from the stores and returned
the next day with thanks. Other
storekeepers lodged complaints with
the Merchants and Manufacturers
association, claiming loss as the re-
suit Of borrowing" this choice at
tire. The store men have come to an
agreement to stop the practice of
selling gowns on approval. The health
commissioner declares that diseases
are sometimes spread because cloth
ing taken on approval becomes in
fected while being worn. The soci-
ETY. women deny the allegations
against them, and say that If the
practice Is carried on, It must be by
society fakers."
Minneapolis-O two women in
the United States hold licenses to
Judge poultry. One is Mrs. John
Kruse of this city, a prominent club
woman, and the other is Mrs. Flor
ence Forbes of Decatur, Ala. The
Minneapolis woman received her H.
cense last month from the American
Poultry association. She has acted
as Judge in exhibitions throughout
this section, and has raised and
shown some choice birds.
Washington--Friend of Mrs. Bur
ton Harrison, the novelist and writer,
are pleased to learn that she is able
to be out again. The noted writer
lives in an old-fashioned house set
back in tangled garden on / street.
Her two sons are prominent. Francis
Burton Harrison is governor of the
Philippines. and his elder brother,
Fairfax Harrison, is president Of the
Southern railway. Mrs. Harrison was
Constance Gary. a Richmond, Va,
belle, and her husband was secretary
to Jefferson Davis. Her books and
plays have been prominent for many
years.
Chicago-Mrs. Frances Crane LII
lie. wife of Prof. Lille Of Chicago
university, and daughter of the late
Richard T. Crane, the steel magnate,
has become q socialist. She was re-
Gently arrested and tried for doing
picket duty in strike of the garment
workers. Il au not satisfied with
present society,"" she says. because
it is filed with conniving and con-
spiring."
San Francisco-As a fitting Christ
mas present to his wife. Gordon Mac
kenzie, singer and clubman, has re-
pounced his British citizenship and
become an American citizen. Mrs.
Mackenzie has been fighting for
American citizenship for years. and
only recently the q. 8. supreme court
decided against her. She headed a
long but unsuccessful fight for the
wives of foreigners in the United
States, and an effort is now on foot
asking congress to pass law repeal
ing the expatriation statute. which
provides that any American woman