Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1920-12-26
Omaha
Celebrates
Christmas
iuletide Spirit Prevails in
Churches, Homes, Hospitals
And Charity Centers-Poor
Families Not Forgotten.
Mayor Smith Plays Santa

The Yuletide spirit prevailed in
Omaha churches, homes, hospitals
and charity centers yesterday.
Even the weather man had the
spirit of Christmas. He relinquishcd
his zero grip on Omaha early in the
morning and from then until mid
night Omahans had brand of
weather hard to surpass.
The mercury stood anywhere from
10 to 20 degrees above zero all day
long. There was a little snow, just
enough to feel occasionally on ones
tace, but not in such quantities as to
impede progress of pedestrians or
automobilists.
Parties for Riddles.
Many poor children OF the city
were taken into private homes for
! the day. One of the most preten-
tious parties for the kiddies was
staged by the employees of the Bur-
gess-Nash store.
Early Christmas morning three
large store trucks, filled with wear
ing apparel, candies, nuts and toys,
began journey which took the gifts
to more than 80 of Omaha's poorer
homes. At each home baskets, con-
tanning wide assortment of pres
ents, food, clothing and toys, were
left.
At 10 in the morning nearly 100,
children had assembled in the Bur-
gess-Nash store, where a children's
orchestra played and Santa Claus
distributed more presents. The cost
of this work was met by employees
or departments of the store. Each
department provided for at least one
child or family.
Hospitals Observe Day.
Practically all hospitals Of the city
observed Christmas in some manner.
Nurses sang Christmas carols on
every floor of the Clarkson Mem
orial hospital at a. m. Later, chill
drea patients in this hospital were
entertained with a Christmas tree
and presented with gifts, all of
which were furnished by the hos
pital's board of directors, headed by
w. Farnam Smith. Like most others,
the Clarkson hospital was decorated
with holly and mistletoe.
Riddles at the Child Saving In
stitute enjoyed one of the most pre-
tentious Christmas celebrations
ever held there. Eight Christmas
trees and loads of presents added
iss the pleasure OF the children.
Mayor Acts as Santa.
Mayor Ed P. Smith was one of
the Santa Clauses who distributed
presents to poor families at the City
mission.
Maj. Frank Mccormick, Mrs. Nc
Cormick and Mayor Smith had
charge of the Christmas distribution
of the Volunteers of America on
Christmas eve. Following the an
Eual custom, this organization dis
tributed baskets of provisions for
Christmas dinners, as well as nuts
and candy.
Christmas dinners were served by
the Salvation Army at its industrial
home and to the young women con-
fined at its rescue home. Special
dishes were provided for the dinner
il the city and county jails.
Girls Furnish Turkey.
The Y. w. C. A. girls club fur
nished a 30-pound turkey for in
mates of the City Hospital for
Women, as we'll as stocking, filled
with candy and nuts, for each girl.
Decorations for the hospital were
furnished by Trimble Brothers; the
II club girls of the First Methodist
church presented the hospital with
Christmas plant and the place was
filled with general good cheer and
optimism for the future, according
10 Matron Alta Burger.
Soldiers AZ Fort Omaha enjoyed a
real Christmas dinner and in the eve
ming gathered about large Christ
mas tree. from which presents were
distributed A dance concluded the
day of festivities at the fort.
Officers at the fort spent the day
quietly. Col. and Mrs. ]. W. S.
Wuest arrived at the post Christmas
eve from Fort Leavenworth, where
4onel Wuest has been attending
the school of the line.
Thousands of Omahans attended
church services Christmas morning.
Columbus Attorney Wins