Christmas in Colorado 1876

Post by Doris McCraw

writing as Angela Raines

Photo property of the Author

It's the time of year when we look back and forward at the same time. Christmas and the New Year. Goals, Resolutions and so much more. How about we look back even further?

In answer to that question I thought I would share this article from the Las Animas Leader,. Volume 4, Number 29, December 22, 1876. As we move closer to December 25 and the celebration of Christmas, it seemed an appropriate time to take a look back and what was said and thought in the time period we read and write in. 

From me to all who read this "May the Holidays be the best possible for you and all those you love and care about." 

Christmas gifts.

Of all the holidays in the Christian year, none comes home to the universal heart like that which almost the whole civilized world will be celebrating when these lines are read. To the generality of its observance, indeed, something of this hardy affection is due; but much to its origin as the birth day of a religion of love; even more, perhaps to the general associations that cluster around it. Its very name is pregnant with the pleasant suggestions of homes lit up with glowing fires, and made musical with the laughter of happy children, of tables laden with abundant cheer, of all the charms of domestic life. Only in the northern latitude, indeed, one is fain to think can the full delight of the day be fairly tested and enjoyed Christmas out-of-doors — a summer Christmas, such as they have in Australia, for example — must be a rather unsatisfactory business after all. It is a fact, at least, that the southern nations have never gone into the celebration of the season with half the zest and heartiness that welcomes it in the northern climates. And the reason seems to be that the inner meaning of the day, like some shy exotic, blossoms and reveals itself only in the genial warmth of the fireside; that the true lesson of the time is learned only in the affectionate embrace of the family circle.

Christmas is preeminently an indoor holiday, and there is reason in the disappointment that children feel at a Christmas without snow.

Much of the happy influence of the time comes from the pleasant custom of exchanging gifts. Whether it be traced to a pagan origin in the practice of the Roman Saturnalia, or, as devout Christians love to believe, to the offerings brought by the Wisemen to the manger at Bethlehem, it is an ancient custom and a charming one. Apart from the pleasures of pleasing those one loves, there is valuable moral discipline in the habit of thoughtfulness so induced for others, and the little sacrifices to be endured for the sake of conferring these gratifications. Amid the strife and bustle of a world not over given to generosity, the kindly custom comes as a gentle protest against the selfishness of everyday life, a whispered reminder needful now and then, of the excellence of charity and goodwill. In the wonderful fruitage of the Christmas tree, there is no gift more valuable than the lesson of domestic affection and universal humanity it teaches so gracefully and simply.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Books: Angela Raines Books

Website: Angela Raines - author

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

"O Tannenbaum" - How a German Tradition Transformed Christmas by Jo-Ann Roberts

 

In book three of my series, Grace - Brides of New Hope, I knew I wanted Christmas to be a big part of the plot. 

So, as I tumbled down the history rabbit hole, I came across German traditions in 1800s America...specifically, the German migration to Texas. As the granddaughter of immigrants, I often include ethnic characters in my plots, adding flavor to the melting pot that was, and still is, the United States. The more I read about the harrowing three-month ocean voyage from Germany to Galveston then traveling more than two hundred miles inland, the more the hero's-Tripp Walker-character and backstory emerged. 

Christmas Trees 

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!
Your boughs are green in summer’s clime
And through the snows of wintertime.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!

In the early 19th century, the German government wanted to preserve the forest so cutting down trees was against the law. But what they did have were goose and swan feathers. To get the green color, they boiled the tops of tansy and sorrel plants. Once the feathers were dyed, they were split and then secured with twine (then later, wire) to form the branches.  These twine branches were then wrapped around a sturdy twig which acted as the trunk. The branches were widely spaced to keep the candles from starting a fire and allowed ample space for ornamentation.  

German immigrants brought feather trees with them when they sailed across the Atlantic to the New World. Their popularity was increased when President Theodore Roosevelt also responded to the diminishing supply of fresh evergreens in America. In an effort the save the trees, He ordered that no live trees be used in the White House holiday decorations.

Although the tradition of decorating churches and homes with evergreens at Christmas was already long established, it was the German-born Queen Charlotte, the consort of King George III, who was the first to have a Christmas tree in England, at a party she gave for children in 1800.

The custom did not at first spread much beyond the royal family, but Queen Victoria had a tree in her room at Kensington Palace every Christmas growing up — so she was happy to adopt her beloved husband’s custom wholeheartedly after their marriage.

When German-born Prince Albert married Queen Victoria, he brought his love of Christmas and Christmas trees to Windsor Castle. Decorated with roses made of colored paper, apples, wafers, tinsel, and special decorations made of pressed sugar, Albert and Victoria also lit their Christmas trees with the warm lights that flickered and gave a cozy glow to the entire room at that darkest time of year. Just one year after the royal marriage in 1840, the tradition of having Christmas trees had already become widespread, as wealthier middle-class families followed Court fashion.

Still, the connection to Germany led several American colonial towns where there were many German immigrants to claim the title of having the first Christmas tree in the country. Windsor Locks, Connecticut, maintains that a Hessian soldier put up a Christmas tree during the Revolutionary War in 1777 while he was imprisoned at a local home.

The title of having the first Christmas tree in America is also claimed by Easton, Pennsylvania, where German settlers were said to have erected a Christmas tree in 1816. In his diary, Matthew Zahm of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, recorded having a Christmas tree in 1821, leading Lancaster to also lay claim to be the home of the first Christmas tree in the US.

The Christmas tree came into its own in 1836.  The first mention of a Christmas tree was in a story, “New Year’s Day”, by Catherine Maria Sedgwick, in which she told the story of a German maid decorating her mistress’ tree. 

But it was the prestige of the British royal family that secured the Christmas tree’s place forever in the hearts of Americans. The engraving of the family with their Christmas tree at Windsor Castle which had been initially published in The Illustrated London News in 1848 was copied in the United States at Christmastime 1850, in the popular magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book.

Immediately, the Christmas tree became an essential part of the celebration of the holiday in the United States, and ultimately, around the world.

German Christmas Stars

As with most of America’s Christmas traditions, much of the history of Christmas ornaments stems from Europe and more accurately from the holiday traditions of Germany.

German Straw Christmas ornaments have been used in Germany for centuries. They are fairly easy and inexpensive to make, and since most people had some access to straw, they became quite common. But it’s more than that… straw is closely tied to the symbolism of the Christ Child being born into a bed of straw. In fact, the legend of the first straw ornament is related to the Christmas Story.

The Froebel star carries the name of the German educator Friedrich Froebel, founder of the kindergarten concept. He encouraged the use of paper folding in early education with the aim of conveying simple mathematical concepts to children. Froebel did encourage paper folding as an activity for young children, which is how his name, and the folding instructions might have become synonymous.

A side note here: When I was in elementary school, we had a winter play with the whole school participating. My mother, with the help of several mothers made hundreds of theses stars, dipped them in paraffin wax and sprinkled them with glitter. They hung from the ceiling of the stage during the Nativity scene. Admittedly, I do know how to make them, but haven't done so in years!

The Christmas Pickle

 

This tradition is commonly believed by Americans to come from Germany. It has been suggested that the origin of the Christmas pickle may have been developed for marketing purposes in the 1890s to coincide with the importation of glass Christmas tree decorations from Germany. Woolworths was the first company to import these types of decorations into the United States in 1890, and glass blown decorative vegetables were imported from France from 1892 to present day.

One suggested origin has been that the tradition came from Camp Sumter during the Civil War. The Bavarian-born Private John C. Lower had enlisted in the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry but was captured in April 1864 and taken to the prison camp. As the story is told, on Christmas Eve he begged a guard for a pickle while starving. The guard provided the pickle, which Lower later credited for saving his life. After returning to his family, he began a tradition of hiding a pickle on their Christmas tree each year.

***

 May Peace, Hope, and Love
be yours this
 Holiday Season

and throughout the
New Year!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BTYS8Q5

https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Mended-Hearts-Jo-Ann-Roberts-ebook/dp/B09JFRKMHD

THE REAL SANTA CLAUS!

By Caroline Clemmons

Santa Claus resting on December 26

I hope you’re sitting with your feet up, content as you savor memories of your Christmas celebration. This month, several of us have brought you ways Christmas was celebrated. Because I love this time of year, I thought I’d give you a review of the book THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SANTA CLAUS, as told to Jeff Guinn. Although it isn’t specific to west of the Mississippi River, this book review fits our theme.

 I added this paragraph to those of Jeff Guinn:

Saint Nicholas was born circa 280 in Patara, Lycia, an area that is part of present-day Turkey. He lost both of his parents as a young man and reportedly used his inheritance to help the poor and sick. A devout Christian, he later served as bishop of Myra, a city that is now called Demre.

Bishop and later Saint Nicholas of Myra

I was relieved to learn the Santa Claus/Saint Nicholas tradition was not a marketing ploy concocted by Madison Avenue. While Bishop Nicholas, he really did go about giving gifts. Okay, he didn’t crawl down the chimney. Homes didn’t have actual chimneys as we know them back then. Many just had a hole in the roof. Not too cozy in bad weather.

Saint Nicholas’ first known gifts were to the daughters of a very poor man. They couldn’t marry without a dowry, but their father had none to offer. The father was considering selling the girls into prostitution. Taking pity on the girls, Saint Nicholas either (1) tossed bags of gold through the window (the poor didn’t have glass in their windows) or (2) put the coins in the stockings the girls left drying by the fire each night. Thus, the girls were able to marry (and, hopefully, each got a second pair of stockings).

Saint Nicholas was an actual person who went around giving to the poor and helping all those he could. In other words, he did what we’re all supposed to do. 

• Remarkable that he did what he could in a time when the poor were looked down upon.
• Remarkable that doing what was right created so much notoriety and controversy and gave him a permanent place in history.
• Remarkable that we continue his legacy by giving to those we love and, hopefully, to those in need.

Several sources report his death as December 6, 343. Over the years, stories of his miracles and his work for the poor spread. Saint Nicholas became known as the protector of children and sailors and was associated with gift-giving.

Whether you call him Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, thanks for continuing his legacy.

A KANSAS PRAIRIE CHRISTMAS by Marisa Masterson

A KANSAS PRAIRIE CHRISTMAS by Marisa Masterson


Imagine…You came along the Santa Fe trail to settle in this part of the Missouri territory. Few people have made their homes here, other than the Native Americans who were forced into the area from the Great Lakes region and the East. They live far from you, though, and aren’t a concern.

Image of Kansas in winter by Rob Wishusen

It’s the isolation worrying you this day, the 24^th of December. There is no church service to attend, no close neighbors to gather with for a small Christmas Eve service. Looking around you, the two small faces gazing at you cause you to shake off your gloom. You will make Christmas Eve special with the things you have around you.


This was the case for pioneers who lived a rough, work-centered life to maintain their existence in places like the Kansa prairie of the Missouri Territory. Holidays like Christmas were treasured. They paused in their daily struggle and celebrated with whatever and whoever they had close at hand. It might seem like a humble celebration to us today, but Christmas was not forgotten or ignored by these families.

Typically, the homes were small—dugouts or soddies. Wood was scarce in some areas of Kansas so families there rarely had Christmas trees. Still, they decorated with what was at hand. Gingerbread men and cookie dough ornaments would be made, even if there was no tree. Brown paper that had wrapped purchases made during the year might be brought out so that a paper chain could be made. If any product with foil lining its inside had been purchased during the year, that shiny paper would have been removed and saved for Christmas. Everything was used. Even the wishbones from chickens could be dried and decorated. (I grew up with many of these decorations still being used at Christmas on our farm.)

The land around the homesteaders provided part of the decorations. Dried plants that seemed festive took the place of evergreens and pine cones. Imagine the dried grasses and prickly brown cones of thistles in mason jars or along a small mantle. Perhaps the mother dried flowers in her root cellar, hanging them upside down. Now, she brings them out to add some muted color to the holiday.

Even dried grasses began a part of the Christmas decorations.

Other dried items would also come out at this time of year. Dried apples would be used to make a pie, perhaps, or just to chew on as a special treat. Dried vegetables like green beans would be eaten as well. Green beans were strung during the summer and hung above the cookstove. As they dried, they absorbed the smoke from the stove to give them added flavor. Sometimes called leather britches, these were chewed during the winter, helping to avoid vitamin deficiencies.


Popcorn was another source of fun at Christmas. Using thread and a needle, it was carefully turned into a garland. Dried items like the rose hips gathered from wild roses could also be added to the garland for color. In America, the tradition of a popcorn garland actually dates back to Williamsburg, Virginia. According to author Phillip Snyder, the first Christmas tree in that city appeared in 1842. It was decorated with popcorn and colored paper. (from The Christmas Tree Book by that author) Pioneers would be very familiar with the practice adapted from traditions brought to the United States by German immigrants. These quickly became popular in the East.


In the days leading up to Christmas, one traditional item would be aging to gain flavor—the plum pudding. Mixed together and then placed in some type of linen, this was typically made two to three days before Christmas. It was steamed on Christmas day and served with a lemon sauce or a sweet milky sauce. My grandparents were still including it as a part of our Christmas celebration when I was a child and a teen. I remember well the spicy flavor of the very moist cake.


The homesteaders would gather on Christmas Eve as a family. Though the group might be small and the wind would howl outside as it whipped the snow, they would sing carols and read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke. Children would wake up to small homemade gifts left in stockings.


Yes, Christmas was treasured by these hardy homesteaders on the Kansas prairie.

(For further reading, I recommend https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-christmas/.)

Christmas Pudding 

(My great-great-great grandmother brought this recipe with her to the United States when she immigrated from Northumbria, England. I believe the sorgum was a substitute for another ingredient since it was a common sweetener in Wisconsin.)

3 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup suet
1 cup soured milk
3 tsp. sorgum
1/2 cup sugar
Raisins

Steam 3 hours in cloth.

https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Christmas-Spinster-Mail-Order-Brides-ebook/dp/B081BCGP2S

https://www.amazon.com/Snowy-Delivery-Christmas-Ornamental-Match-ebook/dp/B081PBQCFY

Journey into Christmas and the New Year

Post by Doris McCraw
writing as Angela Raines

We think the world changes as the years' pass, but does it? When storytellers tell their stories, it is about emotions, goals, dreams, family, and traditions. How many of us have Christmas and New Year traditions? What is it that keeps us getting up each day? That is what makes us human, that is the thread that runs through all our stories, and will continue to bind us together.

See is you recognize the story in these words.



These words are from the December 29, 1877 issue of the Colorado Springs Gazette in Colorado Springs, CO.

The story of Krist Kringle was alive and well in Georgetown, CO in 1870.

Photo property of the author

One only has to look and see that all history is part of who we are. When we read, we travel to new places, become who we dream we could be. Sometimes those stories take root in our psyche and we follow those dreams. The lessons of the past take root and we become more.

This Christmas and New Year think about what has come before to make it the special time of year. There is much to celebrate and carry with us into the coming year. So I wish you all the joy that is this season and the realization of your hopes and dreams.

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

Books: Angela Raines Books

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE PAST #Christmas #OldWestChristmas

As we move into the Christmas Holiday season, many of us are feeling the 'stress' of getting everything done. For some, it's children, others family and friends and the rounds of parties, food, candy and presents. But what of those days of Christmas past? 

As many know, I love research and reading old newspapers. With a day job, my research sometimes has to take the back seat. So, for this post, I thought I'd share some stories I've found along the way.

In Lawrence, Kansas in 1874, the Christmas decorating may have gotten to be to much according to the following article. Imagine having to put a notice in the paper that you were not going to be able to have Christmas Eve services due to decorating. Still, I admire their dedication.

Of course in the resort towns of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, things were a bit different in 1875. Things were spoken of and put on in a grand scale for citizens and visitors.

Of course those in Helena, Montana seemed to have had a wonderful time in the year 1879,

I will leave you with probably one of my favorite Christmas stories. I've shared it before on other posts, but feel it needs to be repeated, for it has such a true feeling of the season.

In 1863 one family on the Arkansas river, up close to the cut off to what is now Monarch pass, had been cut off from others and the towns due to heavy fall snow storms that year.  They had been working their claim, even in the heart of winter. When Christmas arrived, they had plenty of food, but not much variety. One daughter, with the help of her siblings decided to bring out the good china brought from their home in Nebraska and serve up a feast of mock turkey made from beef and beans along with substitute coffee, made from browned bran. The parents were the guest of honor. 

Here's wishing everyone the best that the holiday season has to offer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

And a couple of songs to listen to as you relax.

Oh Holy Night

Do You Hear What I Hear

And probably one of my all time favorites

Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Writing fiction as Angela Raines

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

Getting Christmas Right

by Rain Trueax

Humans are funny for how we tend to think what we have known is the way something always has been. Our celebration of Christmas, all that we consider normal—cards, carols, trees, Santa Claus, presents, in the United States has changed a lot in a hundred or so years. In the beginning, some Christian religions, like the Puritans were suspicious of Christmas as an invitation to decadence. The North tended to regard it somewhat the same-- up until the 1840s; while the South was more open to dances and partying. 

Christmas was only declared a national holiday in 1870 by President Grant, with maybe the hope that a joyous occasion could unite a divided and broken nation. 

As to what Christmas meant, other than the Biblical story, I believe some changes came from books with authors like Louisa May Alcott with her Little Women along with, of course, Charles Dickens with A Christmas Carol. Stories like these created new ideas about what Christmas could mean. Both were widely read.