(Originally written 12/31/10)

HAPPY NEW YEAR DAUGHTERS, GRANDCHILDREN AND COUSINS

Following up on the story of Granddad Elmer J.(Papa).  My thought today, what were their holidays like?  I went to a letter from Aunt Minnie to Dorothy Lee to give us a clue what Christmas was like 100 years ago in Strong City, Oklahoma, Territory.

“Papa got land and our first house, until a home could be built, was a half-dugout and half-log house with an arbor in front to shield it from the sun.  John West built our next home for us in 1901, the year Pauline was born.  Papa hauled the lumber from Canadian, Texas.  Ours was a five room frame house -“such a folly to build one so large” was the opinion expressed by some of our neighbors. The room was carpeted with rag carpets loomed in strips which were sewn together in room size.  Fresh hay was used for padding and the carpet was securely tacked around the edges.  Mama made fancy work of crochet and embroidery, hung pictures, and added house plants and cut flowers to make our home attractive.

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With four daughters Mama thought a piano was an absolute necessity, so one was ordered and shipped from New York to Elk City,  Papa hauled it from there in a wagon and what a time he had over rough country roads with such a cargo!  I am sure that you remember that upright piano which had an extra pedal; when it was depressed, we had a banjo accompaniment.

We all went to church in a farm wagon.  Papa and Mama sat on the spring seat, and we children sat in the back on quilts over clean hay. Neighbors wagons were hitched on all sides of us at the school house,which was the center of all community activities – Sunday school, church services and box and pie suppers held to raise funds for various affairs.  Here was held the CHRISTMAS programs given by the children; a huge tree lighted with candles thrilled and delighted every child”.

Wishing you all a wonderful 2011.

Jim