Santa Claus in Jefferson County

  From the Nortonville News, Dec. 18, 1891

Dropped from the Clouds.

                        The Moon, Dec. 17, 1891.

To: A.J. Perry & Co.,

Nortonville,

            Earth.

Gentlemen:—Please notify the public that I shall take pleasure in holding “High Carnival” at your establishment during the coming week. If my stock of goods holds out it will be quite necessary for all Good Boys and Girls to have very large and long stockings hung up on Christmas Eve.

            Yours as Ever,

                        Santa Claus.

 

From the McLouth Times,
Dec. 11, 1891

From the Oskaloosa Independent, Dec. 17, 1892

Headquarters, 1892.

Dear Children:—Having spent several days in Oskaloosa this week, examining the different stocks of Christmas goods, I have decided to make my headquarters at Johnston’s Drug-store. I do this on account of the better railroad facilities they enjoy, having a direct line of railway running right into their store, and an unlimited line of everything to please everybody, both old and young, and I desire everybody to go there for their Christmas presents. Yours truly,

                        Santa Claus.

 

From the Valley Falls New Era, Dec. 24, 1892

Santa Claus (the spirit of good cheer and giving) will make his appearance at the Christian church Saturday evening (Christmas Eve). Elaborate preparations are made to receive him. A snow house and crystal grotto are being prepared for him and for the delight of the eyes of all who come.

 

From the Valley Falls New Era, Dec. 14, 1895

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be at the Congregational Church Dec. 20^th with a beautiful line of dressed boy and girl dolls also other articles useful and ornamental. Admission 15 cents including supper and entertainment.

 

From the Advocate, Meriden, Kansas,
Dec. 17, 1890

From the Oskaloosa Independent, Dec. 31, 1887

Christmas at Leaverton

Mr. Editor, will you allow me a little space in your columns to say a word or two with reference to the Christmas entertainment at the Leaverton school house on last Saturday evening?

A beautiful tree was planted in one corner of the room, loaded with gifts and making a grand display, while in the opposite corner was a platform for the children.

The exercises consisted in singing, prayer, and addresses by the two ministers present, and addresses, recitations and declamations by the children and young people, all interspersed with song. To say that the song service and the exercises of the children was all good, would not be saying enough; they were simply grand. The Kindergarten exercises were new, and faultlessly rendered by the children.

At the proper time Santa Claus made his appearance, and the gifts were distributed. Great credit is due the teacher who drilled the children, the officers and teachers in the Sunday school, and all the people in the neighborhood, for planning and executing such an entertainment.

            L.D. Price

At the Leaverton school-house they had a fine time on Christmas eve, as will be seen by the report elsewhere. A purse of nine dollars and a fine cake was presented Elder Price, and a cake was also given Rev. Mr. Lawless. The cakes were made by Mrs. Morrow, the material being contributed in small lots by the Sabbath school children—a novel idea.

 

Dunavant Depot Sold

  The Oskaloosa Independent, March 5, 1926

Dunavant, Kansas

The "irony of fate" is seen by some in the sale of the Kansas City — Northwestern railway depot at Dunavant, Jefferson County, which soon will be turned into a filling station to supply gasoline for the motor car which doomed the railroad to the junk heap. The sale of the depot, announced this morning by W.W. Hooper, is the first of any property belonging to the defunct company outside of Wyandotte County. Judge McCabe Moore, Kansas City, Kan., has sold some of the buildings in Wyandotte County. Mr. Hooper sold the Dunavant depot to E.L. Burdick of Nortonville. It is Mr. Hooper's understanding that Burdick will move the depot to Nortonville and put it into use as a filling station. Dunavant and Nortonville are connected by a hard surfaced road and it is believed the building can be moved by truck with but little trouble.

 

Mr. Hooper will leave tomorrow morning for a trip over the road. In each county through which the road passes Mr. Hooper will stop at the county seat and engage a local attorney to take charge of the disposal of the right of way. At Oskaloosa Mr. Hooper selected Horace T. Phinney. Other selections have not been made. However, wherever the company had a local attorney, that attorney will be given the preference, Mr. Hooper said. There is a blanket mortgage over the entire right of way and negotiations will be entered into with landowners to clear up this mortgage. Where the company holds fee simple title, the land will be conveyed by deed. Mr. Hooper expects to be gone several days. He believes it will require about eight months to wind up the affairs of the company. The rails are to be sold as junk. (Leavenworth Times)

 

An advertisement from the
Valley Falls New Era, Aug. 3, 1916

 This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2015.