davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
Many Pathetic Scenes at
B.PO.E. Christmas Party
Hundreds of Little Folks Crowd Into Auditorium Re-
ceive Gifts from Mammoth Christmas Tree-One
Blind Boy Wanted to See Santa Claus.
Helping mother in the kitchen.

"Oh, I WISH I cosld see Santa
Claus"
That was the yearning. hopeless
wish of little seven-year-old blind
boy sitting in the front row at the city
auditorium for the only Christmas he
would have-that from the Elks'
Christmas tree party.
Sister. tell me just what it is like
he begged of his fourteen-year- sis
ter. who had accompanied him to the
party in an automobile of one of the
many generous hea ted Elks
"Oh, it's so lovely" the sister said.
The Christmas tree is so big. 1t
lights-electric lights-lots and lots of
them all over it and pretty sparkly
things hanging on it,
"Oh, 1 WISH 1 could see it," came
the great longing again.
DO you 'spose We'll get a pres
ent?" he asked his sister.
Yes. I think We will" his sister
said. 'I see just hundreds of things
for children up there on the stage.
But there are hundreds of children
here-why there must be a thousand
yes. think two or three thousand.
honey. Won't it be nice if we do get
something"
The little boys only Christmas had
been a cheap little wagon someone
had given him. The sister had had
no gifts. The family from which they
came is living in TWO rooms on the
edge of the city.
The strains of Holy Night. Silent
Night" came from the big organ.
"Oh, sister. know that song, don't
?" the child said.
There's Santa Clausi -" hun
dreds of children's voices cried as the
jovial gift distributor appeared.
Where? Where?" the blind boy
asked, cropping around him with his
thin little hands.
''Hes there on the stage and the
party's about TO begin"
The handclapping. whistling and
other expressions of joy from the chill
dren could hardly be stilled. even
when Santa Claus ord Tered silence.
Provide Gifts For All.
So the annual Christmas party that
poor children of Topeka for twelve
years began at 10 o'clock this morn
ing It was fortunate that gifts and
candy hal been provided for 1000
children, for fully that number and
probably more, gathered for the great
occasion. The shining eyes of chill
dren gazed at the tree and the great
array of gifts long before the sched-
uled time for the opening of the party.
Little and big, thinly clad and warmly
clad. rosy checked and pale. gay and
solemn children filed into their seats
with great anticipation From the
preparation made for the party and
displayed before the eyes of Che chill
dren, it was impossible for any child
to be left out
Sing Christmas Carols.
Led by tiny girl carrying a large
silver star. the children's choir of the
First Congregational church sang
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
ONLY FEW WORK TODAY
Mr.. and Mrs. Average Citizen Are
Celebrating Christmas Today,
While Some Who Serve Public
Are at Their Labors.

Only the people who serve other
people directly-who feed them. pro-
vide their sleeping quarters, warm
them. transport them. give them light
telephone service. deliver their i'm
portant mail and kilograms, give them
the news of the day. protect them
amuse them or heal their sicknesses
and injuries. are working today.
Mr.. and Mrs. Average Citizen, cele-
brating. their own Christmas, seldom
give thought to the people who must
furnish them these ser-ices. whether
it be Christmas day or not.
Business is at a standstill in Topeka
today with the exception of the work
mentioned. Stores are closed, banks
with factories and industrial plants.
But the doctors, nurses, telephone
girls. telegraph employees, postal car
riers and clerks, railroad men. street
car men, policemen, the employees of
restaurants, are at their posts, their
Christmas cheer coming from the fact
that they are completing the Christ
mas for others.
Christmas day is the big day for the
theatrical folks, who furnish the
crowning touch to many celebrant's S
enjoyment today. Theaters in Topeka
are running even more lHdn lHSli
average number of performances to-
day Special matinees are in order
at several of them, and special at
fractions have been secured on all the
programs.
Railroad men from the local sta
tions report that the grand rush of
passenger traffic occurred Friday. and
while business is heavier today than
usual, all records for local travel were
broken Friday SpeciaI euuipm ent
lined up in advance. was inadequate to
the task set for it.
The telephone exchange is buster
than ever today. The number of local
calls is very heavy, and the telephone
girls will remember Christmas as a
very. very busy day. They are work
ing a double shift today. dividing the
day between two shifts. The peak of
the calls will go up tonight, 1t is be-
lieved. and there viii be more calls
during the evening than during the
day
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
TODAY,S TEMPERATURES

Warmer weather prevailed thruout
Kansas today. and altho the skies
were cloudy. no precipitation was re-
ported anywhere in the state up to
O'Clock. Snow which began falling
in Topeka about $50 O'Clock amount
ed to about .0o1 of an inch. Flurries
of snow today. tonight and tomorrow
were expected.
The low mark in Topeka during the
last twenty-four hours was 18 degrees.
This morning the temperature was
mounting. reaching 80 degrees at 800
o'clock, but it dropped back to 29
when the storm began. 1t was evident
that the mercury this afternoon will
go to between 80 and 35. The low
mark tonight will be about 25 degrees.
Tomorrow afternoon a temperature
above 35 degrees will be felt in To-
peka for the first time since De-
cernber 21.
The low mark in the state in the
last "a hours was 10 degrees at Good
land. The low mark in the couf1try
was 2S below zero at Duluth. MINI.
The extremes on record for this date
are CT in 1889 and in 1914. At noon
the wind was blowing twelve miles an
hour from the south.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
ARE YOU TIRED OF D2IvES?'
God Knows, the Armenians Are
Tired of Slaughter, Persecution
and Starvation.

We dare not give way to the sell
fish plea that we are tired of drives"
God knows the Armenians are tired of
slaughter, persecution and starvation.
Is the giving of SIS too great a bur-
den for any normal person in Kan
sas to carry? How many of US could
not go out today and buy SIS theater
ticket, a Christmas fruit cake, or a
hundred and one baubles costing
much more and-neyer miss it? Does
a drive of folly" drive us mad?
Why should a little Christmas drive
for suffering Armenia drive US to de-
spafr, when but fraction of our sur
plus would be necessary to bring such
stupendous blessings to people
whose cross is manifestly heavier
than ou-s2 There is too much hu-
manity in Kansas to withhold all ne
cessary worthy relief Kansas will
gladly contribute funds to care for
her quota of orphans
Contributions made be sent tc s. E.
Cobb, Treasurer, Near East Relief,
Topeka, Kan Any sum will be CRATE
fully received.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
BIC P. 0. BUSINESS
Christmas Mail in Topeka Sets
New Record.
Parcels Post Delivery To Be
Made Sunday.

The greatest flood of Christmas mail
ever handled by the local postoffice
is passing in and out of Topeka this
year, according to w. o. Rigby, post
master. The congestion in incoming
mail has brought about the decision to
make a parcel post delivery Sunday
morning for the first time in history.
One Mail Delivery Today.
One delivery was to be made today,
but there will be a suRncient quantity
of mail taken out on this trip to keep
the carriers going all day. Christmas
is no holiday for them. but means
only harder work. Tuesday was the
biggest day for outgoing mail in the
history of the local office.
Much of the mail that has come in
during the last two days, has been
cial deliverymen were working today
delivery packages cleaned up by to-
night.
Finish Christmas Mail Next Week.
The last of the Christmas mail prob
ably cannot be delivered before the
middle of next week. The office will
be doing excellent work to finish it
up by Tuesday A large force of ex-
ira carriers. clerks and trucks were
added for the Christmas rush.
The Christmas rush has not been so
heavy as ordinary with the express
offices. it was stated. Practically all
the Christmas express packages will be
delivered today and tomorrow
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
FEEL PINCH EARLY
People of Fiume Already Find
ing Food Supply Short.
Every Entrance to Warrior.
Poets City Is Guarded.

Trieste, Dec. 25.-The city of Fiume
was completely isolated today as a re-
suit of the conflict between Gabrielle
d'Annunzio and the italian govern
ment over the treaty of Rapallo.
All roads and paths to Fiume were
closed and heavily guarded by regular
troops The heights were guarded by
carbineers
Royal guards formed Gordon
around the city, except for a brief sea
space. Trenches were dug at many
points and barbed wire was set up
closing all roads.
track were removed from the st. Pc
ter railroad.
A large number of torpedo boats
cruised about the Durasina. Lezzo and
Lorlacche channels. All telegraphic
communication between Fiume and
the surrounding islands was cut off
The food situation at Fiume was be-
lieved to be desperate.
Fiumians Are Divided.
Rome. Dec. 25.-Followers of Ca
Fiume against Italian troops, are di-
vided on whether to continue re-
sistance, according to advices from
the beleaguered city today.
The population still hopes bloodshed
will be averted. Several clashes have
occurred between the poets forces and
the Italian regulars. but so far casual
ties have been few Many of the
legionnaires favor only passive re-
sistance, others are still faithful TO
d'Annunzio and determined to fight
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25

Topeka kids and grown-ups of all
colors and races are today celebrating
the birthday of the Child of Bethle-
hem. Into the homes of the citizens,
and in the institutions where are gath
cred children and unfortunates with
no homes of their own. the people of
Topeka. who are more fortunate. have
seen to IT that the Christmas spirit
extends.
All kids, the only qualification being
that they be less than IL years of age,
were welcomed at the Elks party,
held at the city auditorium at 10
o'clock this morning, where musical
program opened the festivities, and
Santa Claus distributed presents to
every boy and girl present from the
gigantic tree.
At Boys School.
This afternoon the members of the
Square Circle club is staging a party
at the Boys Industrial school, assisted
by the Rotarians. Two Christmas
trees. with presents, a feed. and mu-
steal program are features of the boys
party for today.
At Provident Association.
The children from the day nursery
of the Provident association. each re-
ceived a variety of toys and goodies.
provided for them by the work OF
eight other Topeka children, seven
girls and a boy. who have been work.
ing for months, preparing for the
Christmas of the Provident association
k'ddies With a bazaar, of things
which they had made themselves. they
raised n sum of SIS, which was ex-
pended for gifts for the children. In
addition to the gifts of the children
workers. who were Ruby Mae Wells
Kathleen Mallon, Edward Mallon, Vir-
ginia and Lucille Sumey, Thelma and
Maria Warning and Grace Steves, the
FlEs gave each child at the nursery
a coli.
The woman's club gave a doll to
the nursery, the Elks supplied knives
for all the boys and the Vespuccian
club supplied apples, candy and
oranges.
At tuberculosis Sanatorium.
The Public Health Nursing associa-
tion provided Christmas trees and
presents for the patients in the Topeka
tuberculosis Sanatorium. and the in
termediate department OF the First
Christian church staged program for
the entertainment OF the patients.
which was followed by a concert by
the boys choir of Grace cathedral.
Several hundred Christmas dinners
for needy families have been provid-
ed by the Salvation Army. Some days
ago the workers started to distribute
tickets for Christmas baskets. which
were presented Friday. In addition
to the baskets which were given to ap-
plicants who came to the hall, many
were delivered by the Salvation Army
to needy homes in the city.
Every Family Cared For.
Every family on the list of the Prov
ident Association has been cared for,
according to Miss Virginia Campbell.
Christmas dinners and gifts have been
UOntiunPd paRe TWOI
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
BAN ON ALL POLITICS
Only Christmas Cheer Mt Home OF
Prcsident-Elect Harding.

Marion, Dec. est was a real
Christmas today at the home of Pres
ident-elect and Mrs. Harding in Mt.
Vernon avenue. There were no po-
litical CONFERENCE.-The Christmas.
Immediately after breakfast at the
Harding home, the senator and Mrs.
Harding began to take a peep at what
Santa Claus had been sending for the
last two weeks or more. There were
literally hundreds of them, ranging
from cigarets to Georgia "possums.'
Not a single present was opened un-
til this morning.
The only company that the future
tenants of the White House expected
or had prepared for during the day
were half a dozen newspaper men.
They were invited in by Mr.. and Mrs.
Harding to help eat the turkey which
admiring friends had sent for the
Christmas dinner
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25

Christmas carols for the children. The
Elks' master singers sang "a Perfect
sideration of the meaning of the day
to many of the children.
The first gift distributed was to
''Uncle Billy" Henderson" the organ
izer of the lodge in Topeka, member
for twenty-six years, and chaplain for
twenty years. His gift was not just a
gift. 1t was gifts. For he received
suit of clothes and overcoat.
Two Gifts to Each Child.
AS the long line of hundreds of
children filed up on the stage, each
child was given two gifts, an apple,
ar orange, a bag of candy and an ice
pocket knives and books. Girls dolls
anf ha andkerchiefs.
There's nothin' little about the
bags of candy" a youngster ca
claimed.
Big Bags of Candy.
And, indeed, there was nothing little
about the bags of candy. They were
four or five times as large as the usual
bags of candy put on Christmas trees.
Steinberg's orchestra furnished mu-
sic, alternating with the pipe organ,
thruout the entire party.
1--WE have had many crowds and
much preparation for the party in
other years, but this is our biggest at
tempt. I believe this community
Christmas tree at the auditorium will
be our regular Christmas custom in
the future"
Tree Forty Feet High.
The tree for the party was forty feet
high and lacked only a few inches of
reaching the ceiling. Seventeen dozen
festive decorations were used upon it,
in addition to the myriad of tiny cleo
trio lights.
Picture Show This Afternoon.
The Christmas tree party does not
end the joys of the day for the chill
dren. The party will be continued this
afternoon at the auditorium when a
picture show will be given at O'Clock
thru the courtesy of G. L. Hooper of
the Orpheum theater. cooperating
with the Elks. The picture will have
as its star the children's favorite,
Douglas Fairbanks, in 1.-The .Ameri-
cano," special release for the occa-
SION Tickets for the show were dis
tr.buted at the morning party. After
the picture show the Columbian quar-
tLt, which has been singing at the Or
pheum this week. will entertain the
children.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
N. Y. XMAS GREEN
Mild Weather Both Sides of At
lantic Brings Crowds.
Paris Is "Qui Viye" With Real
After War Cheer.
ALL CHURCHES ARE CROWDED
Morning DevOtiOns Give Way to
Afternoon Theaters.
But It's the Joy in ChiIdren's
Hearts That's Biggest.

New York. Dec. 25.-New York's
Green Christmas was marked by
unusual activities on the part of char
the hearts of the unfortunate.
Disabled soldiers. sailors and ma
rines, who are patients in many hos
pitals were recipients of bounteous
gifts and special dinners. The Sal
vation Army. the Elks, Knights of
Columbus and other fraternal socie-
ties distributed dinners and gifts to
the poor and newspaper men.
Cheer for Immigrants.
Thousands of immigrants. held up
for the day aboard ship and at Ellis
Island were given a Sample of Amer
lean hospitality. Employees of the
Todd Shipyard corporation assessed
10 per cent of their wages to provide
clothing for three thousand poor chill
dren. Various societies banded to-
gether to provide cheer to the thou
sands of patients in city hospitals,
Midnight masses in Catholic
churches were unusually well at
tended At the church of st Rose of
Lima mass written in 1745 was sung
for the first time in America
There was a note Of sadness today
in the services at the Protestant
Episcopal Cathedral of st. John the
Divine, where the late Bishop Charles
Sumner Burch was to have preached.
The community Christmas tree in
Madison Square-lighted by 5000
electric candles-attraced an immense
crowd last night, and carols were sung
by a great chorus.
Sunday school children visited Trim
ity cemetery and placed wreaths on
the graves of Clement Moore. au-
thor of Twas the night before
Christmas" and of Alfred Tennyson
Dickens, son of Charles Dickens.
Paris Crowds Celebrate.
Paris Dec. 25.-Unusually mild
Christmas temperature brought forth
immense crowds of Parisians last
night, who made the boulevards one
vast animated throng. Cafes and res
taurants all over the city were filled
with merrymakers and all the theaters
were taxed to capacity.
After the close of theaters great
crowds filled the various churches for
midnight masses which were cele-
brated with usual pomp.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
HALE RITCHIE DEAD
Pioneer of Topeka Drops Dead While
Chopping Wood.


Hale Ritchie, 20 years old. who came
to Topeka sixty-five years ago, dropped
dead while he was chopping wood at
his home, 1925 Madison street, about
o'clock Friday afternoon. The body
was not found until early this morn
ing. Mrs. Ritchie stated that she did
not know her husbands whereabouts
until he was found today.
Hale Ritchie was the son of Col
John Ritchie, who TTioctSa Sed his home
to buy the 160-acre tract which he
donated to Washburn college. Hale
Ritchie came to Topeka in 1855 and
has lived here continuously since that
time.
He is survived by his wife and five
children, Frank r.. of San Francisco,
and Fred H. and o. G. Ritchie, of
Sacramento; John Ritchie, a farmer
in WabauEsee county and Mrs. r. T.
Wright, who lives near Graptville.
The three sons in California are con-
tractors. He also has a brother, John
Ritchie, who is a contractor in Louisi-
ara.
Funeral arrangements will rot be
completed until the sons arrive from
California, it was said.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
HIS LAST ONE is QUIET
Wilson Family Not at White House for
Last Christmas There.

Washington. Dec. 25.- President
Wilson planned to spend his last
Christmas in the White House quietly
tocay- His daughter. Miss Margaret
Wilson; DR.. Stockton Axson, brother
of the presidents first wife. and few
of Mrs. Wilson's immediate relatives
who are guests at the White House
for the holiday season. formed the
family circle for the simple Christmas
dirner arranged.
The presidents other daughters.
Mrs. W. G. McAdoo and Mrs. Francis
Sayre and their children. are not mere
this season. On account of the ab-
sence of the youngsters there was nc
Christmas tree at the White House.
The President and Mrs. Wilson
however. were expected to follow their
Christmas day custom of making 2
personal distribution of gifts to chill
dren along the roads which the presi-
dent useo to frequent on his visits t.
nearby Virginia golf club.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
new HEAD FOR SHOPS
William Deveny to Succeed Drury
January First.

Announcement was made today that
William Deveny, now mechanical su-
perintendent of the Santa Fe shops at
Amarillo. Tex, is to be superintendent
of. the Santa Fe shops in Topeka, sue
ceeding NJ. ]. Drury. the appointment
to be effective January l.
Deveny is Topeka man, born and
reared here. who served his appren-
ticeship. and was promoted to a fore
manship in the Topeka, shops which
he win now manage. He was later
master mechanic on the Santa Fe's
western territories.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
PRESENTS FOR ALL
Children and GrOwn-Ups Are
Remembered.
Various Organizations Spread
Cheer Today.
SHOW REAL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Day Observed in Love and
Fellowship.
Elks Entertain in Big Party at
Auditorium.
A White Christmas.

The weather authorities have re-
Tented. Holding out, even to the
afternoon of Christmas Eve, slender
hopes CT a white Christmas this
morning n real snow started at $50
o clock, which is general over the
state.
Tie chances for a heavy precipi-
tat-on are not great. but there will
be at the very least enough snow
to cover the ground, and that very
essential feature of a real Christ
mas. snow. completes the program
Of the day to perfection.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
He'll Let Ouija Do 1t.

Indianapolis, Ind, Dec. A25.=
Kenneth Rothschild appealed to his
aunts. uncles and parents. col
lectively and separately. feeling
they might induce Santa to squeeze
down the chimney. with a ouija
board.
This morning when Kenneth
jumped out of bed he saw the ouiJa
and exclaimed: "Oh. goody. Now
my arithmetic problems will be
easy"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
.sPussyfootD Edging In.

Glasgow. Dec. 25.-"Pussyfoot's
velvet pads have crept a little closer
while nobody was looking. Glasgow's
civic labor chief. Councillor Rosslyn
Mitchell, moved recently in the town
council that no alcoholic liquor be
supplied az any entertainment. recep-
ton. luncheon or function given by
the corporation.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
Xmas Even for Ostriches

P'T 9eH7. Cal. Dec. 25.-Even
the ostriches of South Pasadena
Will have their Christmas dinner
today. for 5000 oranges have been
delivered for their feast. While the
ostriches have no sense of taste. ac-
cording to a manager OF a ranch
where The BIRDS are herded. they
do ike to have a neckful of
oranges"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
Cardinal Gibbons Is Better.

Union Mills, Md, Dec. 25.-The i'm
provement noted in the condition of
Cardinal Gibbons. who has been i'll
at the home of Robert T. Shriver
near here for some time, is continu
ing, 1t was announced today.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
HAS HER son ARRESTED.
Press Auto Theft Charges For Her
Boys Own Good"

Chicago. Dec. Qualities of spar
tan motherhood were again displayed
by Mrs Mary ]. Lamb. who IN 1917
sent three sons to war which she said
was Gods laundry" when she had
her son. Frank, arrested for the theft
OF one Of her many autos.
Mrs. Lambs concern was not for
the auto. she said. but for the son.
She will press the case for the good
OF her boy, she said.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25

Kansas City, Mo-, Dec. 25.-Guy
RUE, SS, Of Lancaster, Kan, was in
stantly killed here last night when he
jumped from the third story window
of st, Margaret's hospital, according
TO hospital authorities. Rule was ad-
mitted to the institution November
last for treatment for tuberculosis.
Hospital authorities were unable 20
explain Rules action.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25
PAPER OUT EARLY TODAY

The last edition of The State
Journal is issued at 1890 o'clock
noon, in order that employees may
enjoy a half holiday.
The first and second editions are
out on regular times. The third
fourth and fifth editions are ad
vanced two, three and four hours.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-25

CLOUDY and UNSETTLED
F1urries of Snow in Kansas Toda!
and Sunday.

SHIPPERS FORECAST = Protect
thirty hour shipments north and
west against temperatures of from IS to
25 degrees; east and south, 30 degrees.