The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-12-30
CHRISTMAS IN
PALM BEACH COUNTY

Beach county, conceived in the fertile
and philanthropic brain of Joe Ear
man, and carried out by his efforts,
which melted many others to CO
operation, and vigorous vibrations
which were felt in various parts of
the state (Ocala for one), was so
unique among Christmases as to make
Interesting to all the following de-
scription from the Palm Beach Post:
Was there ever such Christmas as
this ? No; for in Palm Beach county
this year Christmas was not celebrat-
ed in the customary manner; not in a
commonplace manner, anyway. There
were customary things, and the
homely incidents, and the historic
ceremonies, but on so grand scale
as 20 give the celebration sweeping
majesty. Crisp weather In the semi
tropics; religious festival, and pagan
practice; tourists and other people
from all parts of the earth mingling
with the Cracker" folk; 1000 children
served with presents from % Christ
mas trees throughout the county; re-
vival of Christmas carol singing;
sense of humility brought to the
proud. cheer to the distressed. friends
to the friendless, and welcome to
homeless; these We're elements of
Palm Beach county's 1919 Christmas.
A community Christmas tree in the
city park Christmas eve brought peo-
pie and hearts together as they were
never brought together, here before.
u A.
the county SO many people as gather
ed then at the park to witness the dis
trihution of gifts TO near 1900 chill
drcn, from babes In arms to youth.
| This was one of the % Christmas
trees from which were distributed the
presents bought with funds the
sources of which have been acknowl-
edged from time to time through the
columns of the Palm Beach Post. An
organization perfected to the last de-
gree of thoroughness extended from
the county's long coast line TO the
upper reaches of the Everglades and
through the "fiatwoods," SO that the
Christmas spirit reached into every
home and touched every child.
Assembled at the city hall, Poinset-
tia and Datura streets and the streets
protected against other travel. the
children marched TO the city park to
the sight of Christmas tree illumi-
mated as nothing else than magic could
make it.
| The Christmas spirit had added
further skill to the expert hands of
C. H. Ellis and J. K. Bell, of the
Southern Utilities Company; they
made the tree CLEAN with fairy beau
lty; adults as well as expectant chill
dren gasped with palpitant hearts as
they looked on it.
Director H. III. Curtis had assembled
all Of the members of the West Palm
Beach band for part in the ceremon-
les, and the band played while the
children marched down the streets tc
the park. Rev. L. A. Wye, of Holy
Trinity church, led in saying the
Lords prayer; then he read the Epis-
copal prayer service; DR.. c. III. Petit.
bone. of the Congregational church
gave Christmas story. and the high
school boys and girls sang.
Did you know that Santa Claus has
a brother? Well, he has. No one had
heard of Santa Claus brother until
now; for of course there is only one
Santa Claus. Maybe the brother helps
make the Christmas toys. He never
lcame out from the Santa Claus home
until. for this big Christmas eve II
! West Palm Beach, when he helped his
brother distribute the presents.
Iii IL IL al
!, side of the Christmas tree 1868 chill
dren marched and received each g
package from Santa Claus and his
brother. The packages varied as Il
contents as became the varying age:
lof the children. but they were of equa
value, the same contents for all of thu
Ichildren of the same grade, with Z
Iproper difference in contents for boys
and girls. The teachers in the school.
Iassisted Mrs. Clara Stypman in mar
shaling the children in line. And al
1.-THE while the band played untiringly.
IL some of the children played ;
4 repeater" and double-headed in thei
trip along the bridge and past tn
Z tree, they did not fool Santa Claus
who had his own enjoyment out o
| letting it be thought he was foole,
II and he came across again. No chill,
Twas undeserving to be made happy il
Iany way that would make it happy.
That this distribution of gifts thrr
the same organization was being du
|, plicated at % other points in the coun
,lty was in the minds of all of tn
, spectators, for the daring magnitud
of conception to embrace ever
child in the big county had appeale
to the imagination of all of the read
ers Ct the Post.
al There was a present for only on
5 iadult. Santa Claus discovered on til
yltree a gold watch for Joe L. Earmal
whose connection with the gift dis
7 tribution TO the children was acknow
: edged m the inscription on the watch
ITO Joe L. Earman from the childre
and other friends. Christmas 1919"
Paris Singer one of fho larO