The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-12-29

fore the coming of other organiza
tions with like aim the relief So
ciety had practically all of the poor
of the city to take care of at times
like this. In those days Miss Han
nah Pearson, Mrs. R. d. Hubbard,
and Mrs. ]. A. Lewis were among
the promoters and energetic workers
of the society. The work is now
divided among the different organi-
cations, and each one has a great
amount of work to accomplish at
Christmas time. A meeting was held
and lists Of the worthy poor were
compared and divided, in order that
the work might be evenly distributed.
The Eagles assisted the ladies in
many ways this year, and donations
for the baskets were very generous.
Mrs. W. J. Merchant, president of
the society, stated today that every
one had been more than usually lib
eral with donations this year, and
many homes were made happy by the
Christmas baskets. G. NJ Palmer
donated a load of -four, which was
greatly appreciated as were all the
acts of charity and benevolence
shown. NJ J. Dempsey of the Cri-
terion restaurant was of great as
sistance, the baskets being filled at
his restaurant, which was headquar-
tiers for Santa Claus. In a gayly dec
Grated automobile, filled with good
things, Santa Claus drove around the
city Sunday, leaving gifts for the
poor Ernest Phillips of Chicago, a
brother-in-law of Mr.. Dempsey,
acted as Santa Claus, and looked like
the genuine tabled parsonage in a
bright red suit and whiskers of snow
white color The committee in charge
of the Christmas giving was COM
posed of Mrs. H. Weicking, chair
man, Mrs. Lorin Cray, Mrs. w. R.
Hammett, and Mrs. F. M. Currier.
Those in charge of the work of Civ
ing to the poor this year were i'm
pressed by the fact that Mankato
needs an associated charitable or
ganization with a trained worker at
the head, which would greatly simp-
lyfy the work, and avoid any con-
fusion from duplicate lists. The
worthy work of the relief society
made many homes happy on Christ
mas eve.
Selections For Patients.
Sandon Brothers orchestra, con-
sisting of six pieces, played for pa
tents at the Emmanuel last evening
from five to six o'clock. Some very
excellent music was rendered, which
was greatly appreciated and enjoyed
by the patients. A week ago last
evening the Grand theatre orchestra
sang for the Emmanuel hospital pa
tents.
Beautiful Morning Services.
The Christmas morning services
held at the Swedish Lutheran church
yesterday morning at $50 o'clock
were very beautiful and impressive.
An elaborate program of music was
given consisting of five selections by
the chorus. Rev. o. ]. Arthur, the
pastor, gave sermon in both the
English and Swedish language. The
church was filled to its capacity and
all agreed that the services were the
most beautiful ever held at the
church. The Sunday school class
will give it's annual Christmas pro-
gram this evening. A Christmas tree
has been erected and an interesting
program consisting of songs, read
ings and musical selections will be
given by the children. The program
will be in two parts, one part to be
in English and the other in the
Swedish language. The mixed quar-
tette will also sing several selec-
tons. At the conclusion of the pro-
gram presents and candy will be
distributed
Knights TempIar Hold Exercises.
About forty Knights Templar of
Mankato Commandery No. met in
the asylum yesterday morning at
eleven o'clock and participated in
the usual Christmas observances. I'm
mediately following these, DR.. J.. A.
Hancock gave a very interesting talk
on ''The Uplifting of Humanity"
Clark Keysor, DR.. ]. w. Andrews,
General Gustave Widell and Harry
Footner all spoke on the same sub
ject.
Had Christmas Supper.
Schiller Lodge No. 20, l. o. o. F.,
had a Christmas supper Sunday night
in Schiller hall, the gathering includ-
ing members and their families
About fifty were present Cards were
played and a delightful time was en-
joyed by ALL The new piano player
was source of much entertainment.
Nice Christmas Party.
The Knights of Columbus hall was
the scene of very pretty Christmas
party last night for the members of
the E. F. u lodge and their families.
A large tree decorated the hall and
Santa Claus distributed candy and
apples to the children and grown
ups Dancing was enjoyed until a
late hour and refreshments were
served.
Service at German Lutheran.
Christmas services were held at
the German Lutheran church yester-
day morning at ten o'clock, with
special Christmas music and SER
mon by the pastor, Rev. A. F. Win
ter The pupils of the parochial
school gave a German program at the
church on Sunday evening at $50,
consisting of musical selection, songs
and recitations. The Sunday school
class held their annual program in
the English language at the church
last evening at 1880 with Christ
mas tree