The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-25
Every Section of America CeIe-
brates Old Time Xmas Today.
Holiday Purchases for 1919 Ex-
ceed All Previous Records.
SANTA SLEIGH WEIGHED DOWN
Composite Fowl on ChicagO's
Table Is Huge One.
In Every City the Poor Have
Best Xmas on Record.

OCcb AAAHAS Oh neCOEUs
New York, Dec. 25.-The deepest
sleigh tracks ever cut by st. Nicholas's
reindeer drawn equipage were dis
covered by the observant today in the
old fashioned white Christmas blanket
that enfolded New York.
Never before in the history. of the
nations metropolis had the celebrated
reindeer been called on to draw such
bounteous load and never did Santa
Claus stagger so beneath the packs.
Scores of white whiskered, red
garbed assistant Santas continued this
morning the work the holiday saint
struggled with all night. and it was
promised that before the day was
done every child-and every grown
up-who could be found would have
shared in Kris Kringle's bounty.
Salvation Army Santas, stalwart
police Santas, Y. NJ. c. A. Santas and
Santas of many other persuasions Wed
in hunting out those who had been
missed on the nocturnal visitation and
leading them to heavy laden Christ
mas trees and groaning Christmas
tables.
Shoes. clothing and food as we'll as
toys and holiday delicacies were pre-
SeIlLeu 10 the neeOy.
National Capital Celebrates.
Washington, Dec. 25.-Relieved OF
the anxieties of war for the first time
since Christmas. 1916, and with ideal
Christmas weather prevailing, resi-
dents CT the national capital from
President Wilson down, settled down
10 enjoy a good old fashioned Christ
mas.
There were indications that the
weather mans predictions of a snow
fall would be realized before the day
was over. Activities were virtually
suspended in all government depart
ments yesterday at noon. A spirit OF
THANKSGIVING permeated the observe
ance of the sacred day all over the ma
tion.
ProcIamations by the secretaries of
war and navy called the attention of
soldiers and blue Jackets to the bless
ings of peace now enjoyed as a. result
of the sacrifices of war and declared
that altho hundreds of thousands of
men who formerly wore the unifoTm
of the United States had resumed
civilian garb all men who saw service
in the world war were forever united
by the experiences of the past two
years. Special Christmas dinners were
served to Uncle Sans soldiers and
sailors thruout the world, elaborate
provision being made for the sick and
wounded veterans in hospitals.
Several score of girl war workers in
the navy allotment office vent in for
novel way of spreading Christmas
cheer. They. agreed to forego Christ
mas presents among themselves ana
pooled the money they would have
spent for Christmas dinner supplies
and toys for the poor. Large navy
trucks were loaded with the gifts.
which were distributed in the poorer
section of the city.
Chicago Eats Big Bird.
Chicago, Dec. 25.-Preh oric mon
sters were mere humming birds by the
side of the composite birds that slid
down Chicago's composite gullet to-
day.
Water street said today, never before
has Chicago bought so lavishly of
chicken, duck, goose and turkey 1or
the Christmas meal" AS closely as
market men could figure, there were
disposed of 49,s00 turkeys. 100000
chickens. 100000 ducks, and $4,000
geese.
The composite chicken would be
dainty fowl standing over half mil
lion feet high. Ordinary monuments
might make an acceptable morsel for
his craw but the chances are ne
would prefer brick houses entire The
drumstick would provide thick steaks
for a regiment. measuring as it would
61S75 feet across the meatiest por-
ton, or a mere matter of over 2O0
city blocks. In length this favored
helping would exceed $50 blocks
Orphans. the poor and the sick new
er were so bountifully supplied as
they were this year in Chicago. Or
Eanizauous busying themselves in the
relief of these classes said they found
more wholehearted and pocketbooked
support than ever before. They esti-
mated 100000 had been placed at
their disposal for Christmas relief
work.
Those who bought for themselves
invested in choice meats from buffalo
humps to squirmy half-foot eels from
the st. Lawrence. The latter delicacy
found Immediate swift sale in the