The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
Christmas Feast foc Bows
Away From Home" High
ly Successful Function.
CROWD ORDERLY
DESPITE ITS SIZE
Long Tables Loaded With
Good Things Quick
ly Cleared.

When the doors of the Armory
Hall swung open at six o'clock yes
terday afternoon, nearly two thou
sand men, from all branches of the
service, surged into the deliberately
decorated hallway, lined with tables,
loaded with Christmas dainties. the
guests of Pensacola.
AS soon as the men entered the
lower corridor their eyes were greet
ed by double line of tables, ranged
down either side, behind which stood
scores of Pensacola women to well
come the guests and serve them the
foods which they had given for the
occasion.
Despite its tremendous size the
crowd was perfectly orderly, a great
tribute to the men composing it. and
fully justified the expectations of the
hosts. The record-breaking enter
tainment was arranged by Che Army
and Navy Activities Committee, with
the cooperation Of the citizens Of the
city. Through the efforts Of the la
dies of the Central Committee, head
ed by Miss Fannie Aiken and Mrs. E.
c. Maxwell, enough cakes. pies. and
candy was given to insure the sue
cess of the entertainment.
After refreshments had been serv-
ed on the lower noer the men were
ushered upstairs. where "The Seven
present in pantomime by local talent.
A stage had been erected at one end
of the Armory, and an elaborate
throne and other settings placed. |
Elaborate costuming was a feature
of the entertainment, which was
creditable in every particular.
Following the pantomime short
and dramatic program was
and the entertainment con-
cluded in dance to a late hour.
Before the pantomiane was pre- !
scented an orchestra from Pensacola /
supplemented by a number of mu- |
siclans from the yard and forts en-
teltained the crowd, the guests sing !
ing in every number, their voices |
multiplied hundred fold, shaking |
the Armory to its foundations.
Through the din and commotion the I
numbers followed closely,
Mother McRhee,' "Joan of Arc"
"Over There" and scores of others,
not few of them sacred numbers, !
carried serenely over the noise by the /
vast chorus.
The feature of the pantomime was
the excellent presentation of the
Dear Child" by Margaret Louise |
Yonge. the little daughter Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Malcolm Yonge. This little
actress took the place Of her sister,
Lucy Davis Y6nge, who rehearsed
The part, but short while before the
li:ne for the pantomime, was serious
ly injured in a motor car accident.
The substitute was all that could be
desired, and received a tremendous
ovation of the appreciative audience
Because of the tremendous size of
the crowd it was necessary to use
the Knights of Columbus Hall on
West Garden street for dancing pur-
poses.
In addition to the large number of
Pensacolians who contributed to the
of the entertainment by Civ
ng cakes, pies, candy and their SER
vices, the Army and Navy Life Activ-
ties Committee wishes to express its
appreciation for the cooperation of
he Crescent News Stand, Pete Quina,
dughey's, the Duval Lumber Co.
Pensacola Electric Company, and the
Pensacola Gas Company, without
whose assistance the entertainment
would have been less successful.
Other members of the Womans'
.omittee who worked untiringly to ;
fConfipuad on paOe Tuo