Evening journal., 1918-01-01
NOISY WELCOME Fer
The new YEAR 1918
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din began, and when The hands Of the
clock announced the arrival Of the mid
night hour pandemonium broke loose,
and for at least IS minutes the whole
city seemed TO be in a state OF chaos.
On the streets the people carried every
conceivable kind Of nolse-making device.
while the boats In the harbor and the
factory and mill whistles added their bit
10 the salute which practically sa d
adieu 10 1917 and good morning 10 1915
Although the new year was ushered
IN with numerous festivities ard hi
larlties, the entire spirit Of the occasion
was somewhat tempered by the fact
that we are at war and that millions
OF the nations manhood are either in
the training camps, in the French
trenches or on the high seas, bound for
over there" On the latter occount The
observance today will be quieter and
more subdued than ever before in the
city, at least since Civil War times.
The fact that hundreds of Wilmineton
families have sons in the uniform Of
the United States, and hundreds OF
others are facing the prospects Of los
ing other members in the next draft to-
gether with the feeling that on account
or the war all undue levity viii be dis
pensed WITH gives ample reason for
the more serious aspect of the occasion
and the subdued celebration.
Despite the fact that the streets were
crowded with merrymakers. the
churches drew heavily and thousands
of fhp unopa raffrf atfo1t, fr,1troI ,....,l-4 .
their way TO their respective churches
to join in the elaborate services that
had been arranged in connection with
the watchnight services. These started
at o'clock with song services. Then |
came a season OF prayer, after which !
the congregations engaged in a social |
hour and the ministers either preached /
or eXhorted, calling attention TO the |
soiemnity OF the hour and of the ne
cessity for every man, woman and child |
to get frm behind Uncle Sam in his ef- /
forts to win the war against the yoke 1
OF oppression with which the Kaiser .
seeks to encircle the world.
Following the custom that has pre-
vailed there for several years members
Of the Wilmington Country Club will
have open house at their club house
along the Kennett turnpike this after
noon. This will be the last affair to be
held at the club for several months.
In. accordance with a resolution adop-
ted by the board Of directors a few
days ago the Country Club will close
It's doors tonight and they viii remain
closed until Aplil 1 or such time there
after as In the judgment Of the board is
Tor the best interests Of the club. IL
VAS decided to close the club house to
help in the conservation Of fuel, food
and light thereby assisting in the wide
spread patriotic endeavor in this re-
gard
There was dancing in the lobby Of
he Hotel dupont last night and supper
vas served In the big dlningroom for
hose who wished TO watch the old
'ear out" About 800 reserV Vations were
made at the hotel for tables, and many
more than this number were accommo-
lated The night was quieter than pre-.
'ious New Year celebrations at the hO-
ell There VIII be a tea dance at the
lotel this afternoon.
At the Y. NJ. c. the usual New Year
,pen house was eliminated, and only
lie usual routine busine Of the IN
was carried on At many pri-
'atc homes watch parties were the
'ule, and at many of the clubs there
we're parties to watch the New Year
n and the old year out.
In some Of the churches there were
watch night meetings. that at old" As
Jury starting at i030 O'Clock and con-
inuing until just after midnight. At
he theatres there were the usual year
nd attractions.
Some Of the clubs also had special
unctions at midnight The Firemen's
telief Association, however, eliminated
Is annual banquet though the mem
ers gathered at the clubhouse to see
he new year in.
Members of Grace NJ z. Church and
congregation assembled in the church
.ouse last night, where they were the
uests Of the Rev Dr. Herbert +. Ran
olph and his official board at a New
'ear's reception.
There was music. both vocal and in
and addresses by the pastor
nd members Of the church and congre-
alton. and the time passed very pleas
ntly and swiftly until the new year
awned Late in the evening refresh
lents were served.
- - -. .s.