Primarily due to a cold snap, December was filled with Florida fever. The month was celebrated with Christmas dinners and parties, letters to Santa, and the bustle of the holiday season.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church had a splendid crowd at their Christmas Eve exercise. Thebrightstarthat shone in the darkened room, the young people dressed in white carrying lighted candles up the aisles, and the singing were exceptionally beautiful. The tableau showing the angel, the Wise Men, etc. made an unforgettable picture. At the close of the program a big treat of candy, nuts and oranges was given to the attendants.
The ladies of the Ku Klux Klan held a box supper at their hall, the proceeds of which furnished Christmas treats to those who would not otherwise have had one. A large crowd of members and friends attended and over $200 ($3546 in today’s values) was raised.
Several men and women dressed in the regalia of the Ku Klux Klan went out Christmas Eve and distributed 35 bushel baskets of goodies to many families who were made happier by their visit, for they tried to get the names of all who might otherwise have missed a Christmas treat. The baskets contained a testament, potatoes, sugar, canned tomatoes and corn, cabbage, cranberries, flour, apples, oranges and a chicken.
The hoboes at Sayre came up with an invention during the cold weather. The Sayre Gas Co.’s line crossed the river just west of town and the men, spying the gas line, decided to warm things up. They drilled a hole in the main and started a fire. All went well until the welding of the joints melted and the gas exploded, severely burning several of the men.
The body of a Mexican laborer employed on William F. Rutherford’s farm was found hanging in some bushes on a farm northwest of Murphy’s gin. A crowd of boys out hunting discovered the body and immediately notified the Sheriff’s office. The Mexican disappeared about a week previously. The Coroner’s verdict was death by hanging at the hands of unknown assailants.
An Indian burying ground was discovered on the Eggleston farm southeast of Ek City. The prior spring, Eggleston was plowing and found a few bones that raised his curiosity, but he did not pay much attention to them. A few weeks later when the pickers commenced to harvest cotton, they came across a washedout place where they found skulls, jaw bones of several sizes and many other bones. Grandchildren of the previous owners found beads and other relics many years earlier that were often buried with Indians.
Canute robbers relieved Kelly’s store of $65 ($1152), and another night the bank and post office were robbed; little was taken from either place.
The American Milling Co. sold McAlester Lump coal for $11 ($195) per ton, Henryetta Lump for $8 ($141.85) per ton and Henryetta nut for $7 ($124) per ton. They charged 75 ($13.30) cents extra for delivery.
Christmas gift specials included Elgin watches for $14.75 ($262) in fine, goldfi lled cases. Humming Bird pure silk hosiery sold for $1.50 ($26.60) per pair. Orgon City wool blankets were on sale for $12.75 ($226); men’s 240 weight overalls, union made, were reduced to $2.00 ($35.46).
Dear Santa Clause [sic], I want a pair of rubber boots, size 13. And a bicycle. And bring dady [sic] something nice, and mother something.
I have been a good boy. Bring Miss Dobbins something nice. Your friend, Billy Tomlinson.
P.S. – Don’t forget Aunt Fern, and my dog “Trouble.”
Dear Santa, - After you have all the little orphan and the other little children their gifts, if you have enough left for me I would like for you to please bring me a pair of gloves and a box of stationary and stamping set and also lots of candy, nuts, apples and oranges. I am 11 years old
