Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-12-26
STMAS EVE
PAGEANT PRETTY
Interesting Demonstration We'd
nesday Night at the Old
Court House.

The pageant at the Old Court House
m Christmas eve picturing events Of the
past few wears, was decidedly interesting
Il was given under tho direction of the
Community Service and committee
comprising President OF Council Lyon
and Councllmcn Mulvena and Forwood
Furnishing a natural stage setting
that graphically pictured the runs OF
dc lasated France and Belgium, the Old
Court House was a picturesque back
ground for the opening of the pageant.
This constituted realistic reproduction
of a battle, with all of the effects, Includ ding
guns b,.lching forth destructive shells,
m8chlne-guns pit-patting, rockets ill'lInI-
mating the sky, hand grenadcs expiod-
ing, and finally. the portrayal OF the
Zero Hour" and the boys going over
the top.
Soldiers from Fort du Pont led by
Corporal Parks and comprising TT
Yates Biggs, Capps. Woods, hsoh'
Barney. Arlt, Bradow, Geis" and DIS
mark. made up the defensive party,
~. NC stationed inside the runs and
about the building The attacking squad
vas comnosed of members of the organized
militia 6f Delaware and the American
legion. They were led by Captain
NrldIn and included Privatcs Collins,
IcawS. Sloan. farewell Carvallus Badcr,
N,Iaurhlin. Moore, Logan. Poplar, Hor-
sev Hart Crozicr SlawICk and Briiely
The latter were shielded hy camouHaged
forest madcup Of Christmas trees and
when thev finally stormed the ruins
and effected lis capture wounded were
scattered about the field Nurses Of the
Red Cross Miss Evclyn Haves. Miss Mae
Giechnaucr Miss Pearl Wilson and Miss
olive Hartlnve, accompanied by strctchcr
a., | a
ana administered TO the fallen heroes
Then the pageant was diverted 10
shp peace existent 8 yca- ago and the
aemnity Of Christmas observance IN
,atile-Scarred Europe. High up IN the
.owcr of the court house. the angel of
peace. robed III white, appeared and
~prcad her wings Of consolation over the
head Of gricving Europe SearchliGhts
nlaycd upon the spectacle and Peace on
Earth, Goodwill To Men" was chautcd
hv the Wilmington Community (hortis,
uudcr the direction Of William T Y hItc
The lights were shifted 10 tho tor Of tho
e,tv building where Amcnsa ttc llbcra-
tor was dep 'ctcd by the g., q LIB
erty. with sn arm cutWinod about
soldier and sailor Miss Florence Barn
hill portrayed the former; Private Oscar
n White. Of Fort du Pont the soldier,
formerly Of the L s s Texas. the sailor
TREE III UmINAsED.
Next came the tirning on Of the
switch Illuminating the community Christ
mas tree IN the old Fairgrounds Mayor
Taylor touched 8 button in his office
aud the myriad colorcd lights on the
giant tree blazed forth their seasonal
greeting
This preceded The third episode Christ
mas IN Wilmington snd the prosperity
snd pesoe OF the city WAS displayed
efnphsticsllv in the Joy and happiness
depicted on the faces Of the spectators.
RING Out Sweet Bells Cf Peace WAS
sung bv the Community Chorts, filing
the st1rosphcre with the world old /
element Of love, awskened in the dTst !
Christmas in the humble nsngcr at
Bethlehem.
Then followed the pisvIet Santa Claus,"
thc chief charscter of which Was por-
trayed by Earl I. Plummer. Hiss I'M
persons ZION OF the character won him
the applause OF the ss~cmbiage and his
appca rance on the stage was jgDallzed
bv an uprosrious outburst THIS ended
tie fesutivles and the spectators weDded
their way home mole grateful than
before for the blessings Of the yc8r
-
cheering message of tae brotherhood !
OF man.
CHTYDEgN MAKE MERRY.
IN the afternoon "Childhood's Hsppy
Hour attracted thousands Of youngsters /
and many grownups 70 the ine ugulaton !,
II the season Of celebration. Paramount /
among It's many festureS us the CO /
Ordina ton OF the public and parochial /
schools of the city IN the carrying TO sue /
oess of the progTs O outlined
Children from the Catholic schools
chanted carols In the Latin tongue,
while those from public schools sang
II English The blending Of the voices
and the harmony shown ny the Riddles
were remarkable attributes to the CO
operation OF local school teachers. The
pupils from the Catholic institutions were
~ the slsters, and the
puohc school Youngsters were taken
care Of by officials OF the Community
Chorus The singing was led by Irving
easier director O the chorus.
following the night celebration mem
bers OF the community chorus boarded
Two automobiles and proceeded on a
serenade expedition covering the entire
CITY. They visited homes Of leading
citizens. and Others whose illness pre-
vented them from attending the outdoor
ex. rcIses- The lavorlte Christmas carols
were rendered.
Members Of the Community Ser
wee and city officials congratulated
A. K. Ferguson s <ew York City
Hho arranged the paeant. he acting
Tor Harold Heats who was absent on