The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-12-26
LARGEST CROWD IN
HISTORY OF LAKELAND
WITNESSED COMMUNITY
CHRISTMAS TRFEEXFRCISFS

Lakelands first Community
IChristmas tree Saturday night was
an unqualified success in every re-
|spect, and the Woman's Club. with
whom the idea originated, and who
!carried out the details, as well as
lthe other organizations of the city
whose help made the movement pos
|sible, are to be heartily congratulate
ed on the happy elimination of this
pleasing affair.
1t is estimated that at least 5000
Epersons gathered in the park Satur-
jday night-many believe the num-
Der to have been larger, but the fig
ure given is at least conservative.
The trees, two in number which had
been put in place and equipped with
many lights by the city electricians.
presented a scene of great beauty,
khaving been most tastefully decor
tated by the ladies of the Woman's
lClub. The band stand was also
brightly illuminated with colored
lights, and here the speakers for the
occasion were gathered, together
!, with the Moose Band, which dis
pensed excellent music before and
during the progress of the exercises.
The program, as printed in this pa
per, was carried out to the letter.
except that the children's chorus
) was unavoidably omitted.
Speeches to the Point
Shortly after eight o'clock, the in
: vocation was delivered by Rev. F. H
Callahan, followed by the chorus
"Joy to the World led by Prof
Paul Yoder and Joined in by the
vast audience, Mayor John F. Coz
\ then made brief address on behalf
= of the city, and Notwithstanding the
> vastness of the crowd, such good or
3 der was prevalent during both hi
3 speech and those succeeding, thai
f the speakers could for the most par
8 be easily heard. Suitable greeting
. from each of the organizations tina
Y contributed to the tree were made b!
8 Mrs. Guy W. Toph for the Woman
Club; Hon. H. J. Drane for tn
+ tElks; Mr.. C. G. Trammell for tn
}, ,,Masons; Hon. Epps Tucket, Jr., TO
n the Woodmen; Mr.. l.. e. Ellis TO
e ,the Odd Fellows; Hon. o. M. Eatol
e for the O. R. c.; Mr.. T. P. Berr
l. flor the Moose. All the speakers mad
L. brief, pointed and pertinent speech
: es, expressing the Christmas spirit
). and in harmony with the occasion
II Arrival of Santa Claus
s. A few moments after the las
y speaker had concluded, commotio
- at the south entrance of the par
gave notice of the arrival of SAINT
'Claus, who came up in a big auto
mobile, dressed in his conventions
scostume, and amid gleeful shouts
- WELCOME made his way to the ban
" stand, where a passage way had bee
= Sroped off, and through this the chill
:. dren passed one at time, each chill
=. being presented by Santa and his as
;. tsistants with fruit and a bag of can
DIV and nuts. Between twelve an
!, thirteen hundred children were thu
:, presented with gifts from Santa, VIII
= twas impersonated by Mr.. c. Rucke
n. adams.
10 In the opinion of the Evenin
"A Telegram the crowd was handled az
rmirably, and there was as little con
Illusion and disorder as could be pos
II sible where So many were gathere
id together.
"a This paper congratulates tn
AZ ,Woman's Club and all Others wn
le were connected with this movemen
ID ON its splendid success, and trust
+ that. it may be an annual featur
X. that will bring our people togethe
o. IN a snirit of friendliness, CHART
ne and unselfishness.
A quantity of candies and nuts wa
left over after the distribution by tn
Uoman,s Club. and these were place
&c in hogs and sent by Mrs. G. M. wrigf
he to the colored Christmas tree whic
lie WAS held in Morehead last night. Sn
ID. arranged that treat be given ever
Ia lco,ored child. particularly those wh
,e- might not otherwise have gotten an
~ h'o n, q .ha.o oaua