Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-12-26
Except for Unusual Number
Of Intoxicated Persons,
Event F'ittingly Observed.
ELKS' CHRISTMAS
TREE A FEATURE
Several Hundred Children Receive
i'askets-Nearly Every Home Had
Tree-T!lousands Attend Church
Services MESSENGERS ssinrd.

1t was a great and glorious Christ
mas Day, in Pine Bluff and this vi
cinity.
No accidents, no fires, no affrays
of consequence, were recorded either
Sunday CT Monday, nGr did Saturda!
or Saturday night brinE development;
Of that kind.
Pine Bluff celebrated the day Wise
ly and well-and there were MANY
who found 1t more Like the idea
Christmas, than has been their ind
vidual experience fer many years
One thing was apparent to the peace
Nofficers, and to others whose bust
ness puts them in position to watch
such proceedings, ami that was tbs
uncommonly large number of drunk
en- men on the streets, notably Satur-
day and Sunday. But the police made
short shift OF this ciass-rushins
them to police headquarters Just as
rapidly as they were picked up. Even
at that, the offenders were favored
because if it was just "plain DRUM"
they were allowed to go home after
bee 1ming sober and after being can
titoneh against further drinking. And
there were only a few cases where it
was worse that plain drunk, two
of these being cases Of carrying
pistols.
But the drunks hurt no one SO
much as themselves and their tamil
les. The watchfulnes5 of the police
kept the streets cleared of them. and
sober seekers after Cnristmas spirit
were caused little Or no annoyance,
And the streets were filled with the
sober pleasure seekers. Yesterday
in particular was this the case, most
Of the people having attended relig-
ious services Sunday, at the various
churches.
Was Real Children's Day.
1t was a real "children's day" at
the churches. Members of the Sun
day school classes had appropriate
exercises at many Of the churches,
and while the children made their
toward a Christmas foF
less fortunate little folk here and
abroad. they themselves at some Of
the churches received sifts from San
ia Claus, from gayly lighted trees,
while the lesson was brought home to
them clearly that they must not for
get the Lords greatest gift to them
and the world, on the FIRST Christmas
Day.
And therein was the secret that
made it a great and glorious Christ
mas Day. Rich children anl Door
children. and those children which
are neither rich nor Toor SO far as
worldly goods go, enjoyed the day
They all had visits from
Santa Claus. They all hal bountiful
Christmas dinners. They had full OPP
portunity, because of the weather
to play outdoors, to romp
to their hearts content to shoot the't
and shout and raise all
the fuss they wanted, which is the
one sure-enough way lor young folks
to enjoy themselves.
Perhaps never before in Pine Bluff
were there so many homes to have
Christmas trees for the little folk.
Some of the trees were extensively
decorated, but most of them cost lit
tie. and answered the purpose just as
we'll. And each tree brought thrills
of 10y to childish hearts, and smiles
Of pleasure to childish faces. And It
must be admitted that the elders hal
Just as much pleasure out of those
Christmas trees, as the children OBJ
tanned. if not, in aGtuality much more.
Elks Christmas Tree.
The Elks annual Christmas tree, as
usual, was the biggest affair Of its
kind in Pine Bluff. The Orpheo was
packed and damned with little folk
before 9 o'clock, the hour fixed for
the beginning of the ceremony yester-
day morning. Many were accompan-
led by their elders, and then too there
were many members of the local
lodge OF Elks, with their ladies and
present to participate in the
pleasure of extending pleasure.
The stage was handsomely decorat-
ed for the affair, and there were no
Exalted Ruler T. M. Nil
Ter was master of ceremonies, anu
was assisted by the special committee
headed by Chairman Mack Hunter,
and by other members of the lodge,
to see that every child was cared for.
Baskets containing fruits cakes. nuts
and candy, clothing, toys and other
such necessaries and goodies were
houseful of Riddles for the two hours
occupied by the distribution.
This distribution by the Elks IS
only one of the several big things OF
the same general line that are con.
Quoted each year by the members OF
the order here and elsewhere, and
each year the number of children
is larger than in the preceding year,
as the city grows in population. But
the Elks always make ample provision
and never yet has it been recorded
that there was not CROUCH to go
around. After the children at the
Orpheo had received their presents
yesterday, members of the order pe"-
sonally delivered quite lot of stuff
to the homes of children who, because
of sickness, or for other and equally
good reasons, eIould not visit the thea.