Putnam patriot., 1920-12-31
CHRISTMAS CHEER
FOR ALL PUTNAM
Those In Institutions and Fam
lilies of the Poor Are Re-
membered
Optimistic Spiri, Prevails. Although
Business Not Up To 1919

Business Not Up To 1918
There was Christmas cheer for al
Putnam, last week Saturday. Through
the efforts of the Salvation Army. the
Elks, classes in Sunday schools, an
private individuals, as far as known,
no home remained without some
Christmas spirit. For weeks before
the greatest holiday in the Christian
World, the poorer families in the city
had been sought out and the morning
of the holiday saw heavily laden BAD
kets left at the doors Of the homes Of
the unfortunate. In addition. the
children all had an opportunity 70 see
real Christmas tree and share in the
presents which abounded. Many a
poor child is this week wearing new
clothing, warm shoes and stockings
due to this kind thoughtfulness sig-
nificant of the gift-giving period.
In the public institutions the i'll and
the unfortunate were well taken care
Of. At the Windham County Tenn
porary Home the 1873 inmates had a
most joyous day, from early morning
to well into the evening. The holiday
began bright and early when the
youngsters with bright, smiling faces
wished each other Merry Christmas,
and the matron and superintendent,
Mother" and Father" ID. C. Park.
were by no means forgotten. After a
substantial breakfast the children
were brought to Putnam, where they
were guests of the management of a
local theatre. swelling the audience
of little folks to nearly 200. All en-
joyed the special showing Of pictures,
SHINE of those from the Home seeing
s'movie" for the first time In their
short lives. From the theatre back to
the Home, where there was roast
pork dinner. with plenty Of vegeta-
bles, cake and pastry. Fruit and cam
dy was plenty and all had a generous
supply of everything. In the after
noon there were exercises consisting
of songs, Rotations, music, ETC., and
then In the evening the beautiful
Christmas tree and the many gifts,
Kind friends had remembered these
unfortunate little ones. and they per-
Ihaps Jared even better than those in
some of the homes in the city. Tired
and sleepy, they were put to bed to
dream il all over again.
AT the Day kimball Hospital there
was Christmas tree in the morning
This was set up on the second floor,
Here again were presents for all, in
Guiding the matron and the staff of
nurses. The children confined In the
institution Jared especially well.
Those who were too i'll to eat we're
given something in the way Of cooling
drinks. Not person at the institu-
ton was overlooked. A special dinner
was shared by all able to partake of
the roast turkey, vegetables and des-
sert. The news that The Patriot fund
had passed the $4,000 mark added to
the JOY of the day, as all connected
with the hospital have an interest in
the new addition that is nearing com
pletion and viii afford the hospital the
room so sorely needed.
Al iHe Town ldili tiiN otNNhbtRti ~
mates were furnished roast pork
dinner with vegetables, pies and
cakes. In the morning Miss Edith
Bowen's class of the Baptist Sunday
school appeared with heavily laden
baskets of candy, fruit and popcorn.
Members Of the class sang several
songs. which delighted those at the
farm. There was a Christmas tree
and presents for each inmate.
Throughout the city there were
many reunions and house parties.
There were religious services in the
churches ohristmas eve. Christmas
day and Christmas night. On the
steeple Of the Episcopal church .
cross outlined In electric lights was
admired by all who saw the reminder
that the Christ was crucified to save
the sons Of men.
While the business men did not do
the volume Of business Of the previ-
GUS year, there was an optimistic spir-
IL manifest. II IL believed that the
crisis Of the readjustment period has
been passed and that with the advent
of the New Year conditions will be-
gin to improve. With many mills
closed and others running short time,
thte falling of Of business over the
period when all were employed at
good wages, was anticipated. All in
all, however, the merchants express
themselves as well pleased with the
amount Of trade, taking present con-
ditions into consideration.
During the holiday the theatres
were well patronized. Trains were
crowded by those leaving the city and
arriving. There were no accidents to
mar the day and but one arrest was
made by the police. Christmas. 1920,
passed of quietly and was thoroughly
enjoyed by all classes Of people.
There was Christmas cheer for al
Putnam.