Who Was St. Nicholas? Sinterklaas? Santa Claus?

With just four days before christmas, have you ever wondered ... WHY? What is the real meaning of Christmas? Who was St. Nicholas? How does that relate to our Santa Claus of today? How did the Santa Claus tradition begin?

From the information we have gleaned online, it appears that the true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara, a Greek area that is now on the southern coast of Turkey.

The historical Saint Nicholas is represented with a full, short white beard, and wearing the red cape of a bishop over white priestly robes. He carries a crosier, or elaborate shepherd's crook, and wears a red bishop's mitre, or pointed hat. In Eastern Orthodox iconography, he is often shown holding a book of the Gospels, with Jesus Christ over one shoulder and Theotokos, the Greek name for Mary, Mother of Jesus, over the other.

As the story goes ... Nicholas' wealthy parents raised him to be a devout Christian. His parents died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man.

Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

It was under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, that Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith and was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals-murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

There have been many stories through the centuries -- legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. Perhaps these accounts will help us understand his extra-ordinary character and why he was so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need. Perhaps this is what Christmas Day or St. Nicholas Day is really about!

There is one story that tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value - a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery.

Mysteriously - on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a gift-giver. Does this sound familiar yet?

One of the oldest stories showing St. Nicholas as a protector of children takes place long after his death. The townspeople of Myra were celebrating the good saint on the eve of his feast day when a band of Arab pirates from Crete came into the district. They stole treasures from the Church of Saint Nicholas to take away as booty.

As they were leaving town, they snatched a young boy, Basilios, to make into a slave. The emir, or ruler, selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer, as not knowing the language, Basilios would not understand what the king said to those around him. So, for the next year Basilios waited on the king, bringing his wine in a beautiful golden cup. For Basilios' parents, who were devastated at the loss of their only child, the year passed slowly, filled with grief. As the next St. Nicholas' feast day approached, Basilios' mother would not join in the festivity, as it was now a day of tragedy. However, she was persuaded to have a simple observance at home with quiet prayers for Basilios' safekeeping. Meanwhile, as Basilios was fulfilling his tasks serving the emir, he was suddenly whisked up and away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set him down at his home back in Myra. Imagine the joy and wonderment when Basilios amazingly appeared before his parents, still holding the king's golden cup. This is the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting children which became his primary role in the West.

Saint Nicholas - Wikipedia says, "(Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος , Agios ["saint"] Nikolaos ["victory of the people"]) (270 - 6 December 346) is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra (Demre, in Lycia, part of modern-day Turkey). Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as is common for early Christian saints.[3] In 1087, his relics were furtively translated to Bari, in southeastern Italy; for this reason, he is also known as, Nicholas of Bari."

Are we getting close to the origins of our Santa Claus (or ... Sinterklaas) ... yet?

They say that the historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians and is also honoured by various Anglican and Lutheran churches. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, and children, and students in Greece, Belgium, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, the Republic of Macedonia, Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro. He is also the patron saint of Barranquilla, Bari, Amsterdam, Beit Jala, Siggiewi and Liverpool.

It was in 1809 that the New-York Historical Society convened and retroactively named Santa Claus the patron saint of Nieuw Amsterdam, the Dutch name for New York City.

My Ancestors, Couwenhoven (a.k.a Conover) were some of those Dutch settlers that settled in Nieuw Amsterdam (NYC). You follow the above URL and following URLs to scroll through our family tree of Couwenhoven / Conover Dutch ancestors that married into our PARIS lineage.

This is the Couwenhoven/Conover Lineage down to NW Okie:
* gerrit jansz couwenhoven
* wolphert gerritsz2 van kouwenhoven (1579-1662)
* gerret wolfersen van kouwenhoven (1610-1648)
* willem gerretse couwenhoven (1636-1723)
* jan "john" willemse couwenhoven (1681-1756)
* dominicus covenhoven (1724-1778)
* peter conover (1769-1835)
* jonathan coombs conover (1797-1859)
* peter conover (1822-1900)
* sarah frances conover (1848-1924)
* ernest claude paris (1879-1959)
* vada eileen paris (mcGill) (1916-1992)
* Linda Kay McGill (Wagner) (1948-living)

BUT ... Back to what brought this all about - the talk of Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas was also a patron of the Varangian Guard of the Byzantine emperors, who protected his relics in Bari. A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece.

St. Nicholas Day is all about the "Spirits of Giving Around the World." In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas or St. Nicholas can be found wearing traditional bishop's robes, as he rides into towns across Holland on a white horse where he is typically greeted with a parade. Each year, Dutch television broadcasts the official arrival of St. Nicholas live to the nation.

The children of Holland look forward with excitement to his arrival on the evening of December 5, putting out carrots and hay for his horse. In return they receive gifts, candies, cookies, fruit and nuts. The children sometimes get letters from St. Nick filled with clever poetry.

To some -- To me, St. Nicholas Day and Christmas is not about the celebration of a birth, but is about the "Spirit of Giving Around the World."

It is perfectly alright with me if you want to celebrate Christmas as a birth, though. I have no problem with that. I prefer to celebrate Christmas as a season for giving of yourself and your particular talents! WHY can't we all be like St. Nicholas - known for our generosity and giving! -- People Helping People!
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Dear Sinterklaas, St. Nicholas (Santa Claus)

Dear St. Nick (a.k.a. St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Santa Claus),

I do not ask much for myself because I am only a lowly pug and do not need much to get by in this life. I am blessed, though, with a human who treats and showers me as though I were human. BUT ... I would like to ask some special things for those who can not help themselves. If you do not mind listening to me.

There are lots of citizens out there that have been turned down by insurance companies for pre-existing conditions. Those uninsured can not avoid to receive medical and healthcare without going bankrupt. So ... they forego the necessary medical to get by day to day as their health deteriorates.

Can you help shed some light on those who refuse to see this happening? Maybe you could visit some of those Big Insurance Scrooges, their flunky congress persons and lobbyists and remind them all of the Christmas of Past, Present and Future - enlighten them as to the facts and truth about our dwindling healthcare system that only favors the richest citizens and insurance companies.

St. Nicholas Day and Christmas is really a day of giving something special from our hearts to those who do not have and can not do for themselves. In other words, People helping people! I know there are extremists out there who do not share in that thought, BUT ... those people can not help themselves for the way they believe because they have been mislead.

Maybe some day they, too, shall see the light -- to be enlightened by your precious gift of giving. That is what I would pray for if you would catch me praying. BUT ... Alas! What can one Pug Dog do to make an important difference such as what I am asking?

St. Nick, there are those out there, without naming names, they know who they are. They file frivolous lawsuits causing innocent defendants to shell out enormous attorney fees ... racking up tremendous debts just to protect their assets from the greedy courts and unscrupulous attorneys.

There is a particular case that comes to mind where this has been going on for seven years now with close to $80,000 incurred in attorney fees for a particular defendant. Is there any Hope through the courts that this particular defendant could be reimbursed for attorney fees because of the plaintiff's frivolous lawsuit based on a sworn affidavit of lies?

Thanks, St. Nick, for giving the majority of the citizens the insight of Hope and Knowledge ... allowing them to finally elect a President that has the ability of Diplomacy and especially the Intelligence to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. It has been awhile since we have seen and had anyone of that stature in that office, as you will may know, for the last eight years ... or so!

Sincerely,
Your Devoted Pug Dog, Duchess Rose
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The Knickerbocker History

This is about Washington Irving's Knickerbocker History (1809) and a Christmas poem published in 1821 called The Children's Friend.

When the Dutch established their colony of New Amsterdam in America in the seventeenth century, they brought with them the traditional "visit" from Sinter Klaas (St. Nicholas) on the eve of December 5. Weiser thinks that when the English later took over the colony and renamed it New York, the English children began longing to have a kindly "Sinter Klaas" of their own that would bring them gifts. But because the English Protestants did not observe saints days, the Sinter Klaas visit was moved to Christmas Eve and observed then.

Author, Washington Irving (1789-1853), most famous for "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle," is important for the information he gives us on the Dutch version of Sinter Klaas in the early nineteenth century. Washington's 1809 work "The History of New York (also called the "Knickerbocker History") was a satire on the transplanted customs of the Dutch of New York City. The history contained several references to the legend of St. Nicholas as observed by the Dutch. The St. Nicholas described by Irving was an old man in dark robes who arrived on a flying white horse on the Eve of St. Nicholas to give gifts to children.

In his Folklore on the American Land, Duncan Emrich tells us of the next evidence we have of the American evolution of Santa Claus. It is a little known poem, "The Children's Friend," first published in 1821. The poem went beyond what Irving had written, mentioning for the first time a flying sleigh and a reindeer. The poem begins:

"Old Santeclaus with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night.
O'er chimney tops, and tracks of snow,
To bring his yearly gifts to you"

Others state, "There is universal consensus that the person most responsible for shaping the American version of Santa Claus is Dr. Clement Clark Moore, a theology and classics professor at Union Seminary. What did Moore do to earn this honor? He wrote a simple poem for his children in 1822 entitled, A Visit from St. Nicholas, that begins with the now famous words

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In the hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there."

Have you heard the legend that Moore wrote this poem on Christmas Eve, 1822, during a carriage ride to his home in Greenwich Village and that the inspiration for the St. Nicholas in his story was the jolly Dutchman driving the carriage. Closer to the truth is the observation of Emrich that Moore was probably inspired by Irving's Knickerbocker History and The Children's Friend, which he certainly would have read.

Specifically Irving's description of Dutchmen in his story was Moore's inspiration for St. Nick. It must also be stated that it is possible that Moore was familiar with the stories about Odin or Thor.

Actually ... the truth of the matter is that the modern Santa Claus is a conglomeration of sources, a legendary being that has evolved over the years. Along the way, pre-Christian legends, the story of St. Nicholas, Dutch immigrants to America, Washington Irving, Clement Moore, Thomas Nast, and the Coca-Cola company, all made their contributions.

You can download a copy of Knickerbocker's History of New York, Complete by Washington Irving. Not copyrighted in the United States. If you live elsewhere check the laws of your country before downloading this ebook. Available eBook formats (including mobile) ... Read online.
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Stills & Prohibition Era & Laura Margaret (Westfall) Fox

We had an interesting email from Scott Stewart (email: scottstewart555@gmail.com). Scott is researching information on Laura Margaret (Westfall) Fox, who might have been involved in breaking up stills in the 1920s thru the 1930s during Prohibition. Can anyone out there help Scott verify that this family story is fact and not folklore?

Scott says, "I am hoping you might be able to help find this photo and information on Laura Margaret (Westfall) Fox. Margaret Westfall came to Oklahoma with her family during the Land strip. Later on married Fred Fox and was apparently involved in breaking up stills in the 1920's and 1930's during the Prohibition?

"The below e-mail outlines what I am looking for. Any help at all I would be very, very grateful for it, I am hoping to get this all together. I have attached her autobiography and her photo taken while she was still living in Alfalfa County as a young lady.

"Some of the reasons I wanted to track down the Westfall and Fox families in Oklahoma and specifically in Alfalfa was not only the lives they lived but about Laura (Westfall) Fox being involved with destroying bootlegger stills in the prohibition era.

"It is also possible that Eliza Jane Westfall, Laura's grandmother, was involved too. Such a big gap in their life from 1920 to 1930 and when the Foxes arrived here in Eugene, Oregon that we don't know much if any about. I know the beginning and the end but not much in the middle. Anyway if you can send this out in your ezine that would help so much.

"I was told by my uncle Dave Fox, a grandson of Laura, that at the time of prohibition Laura was really for it and very much involved with and against the Bootlegger stills. She would round up people to help destroy stills.

"My uncle Dave mentioned before he passed away that he visited living relations back in the early 1980's -- there was a display at the College in Alva, Oklahoma at Northwestern Oklahoma State University of Laura and photos of her destroying whiskey stills.

"This is what I am told, "That she got quite a number of people mad at her and Margaret and her husband, Fred, were ran out of Oklahoma -- moving to Oregon. This what I am told, I tried tracking someone down in Alva with no such luck yet. I am thinking that is one reason her bio may have stopped at 5 pages other than the fact she died and did not finish it.

"I really want to check the facts on this and make sure that its not some family folklore thats not true.

"Also of interest is the Mevlin Sweany mentioned in the Pleasant Ridge-Carmen Cemetery history cover sheet could be the same Mel Sweeny mentioned in my great-grandmothers autobiography, not sure but this would be a 2nd cousin of Laura … needs some work."
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Autobiography: Laura Margaret (Westfall) Fox

The following autobiography was written by Laura Margaret Westfall Fox and sent to the OkieLegacy by Scott Stewart (email: scottstewart555@gmail.com). The autobiography begins below: I was born near Doniphan, Nebraska, July 30, 1892; the first child of Daniel sylvester and Rozella (Burger) Westfall.

The autumn of 1893 in September, my father and Uncle Louis Levi Westfall went down to Oklahoma Territory which had been thrown open for settlement. They filed on land for a homestead each of 160 acres. The following spring of 1894 in April, they moved there to start a home.

My grandmother, Eliza Jane Westfall, went with Uncle Lou to keep house for him. My aunt willie Tillie Ann was still with her mother, who was a widow. Her husband William Levi, having been shot on a train, of which he was conductor. Jesse James and gang had boarded the train and grandpa reached up to get a ticket from a man's hat band. Jesse thought he was going to ring the bell, to have them put off, so he up and shot him. So grandma moved to Nebraska with her three children, Daniel, age 12; Louis, 9 or 10; and Aunt Willie, 3 or 4.

I heard Mama tell how the horses always followed a horse they called "Old Kit." And two or three times they got away and started back to Nebraska, Old Kit in the lead. The men discovered they were gone and took after them with the help of neighbors and brought them back.

We generally went places in the wagon, which was broken down to only one board. At first the men drove 30 miles to Kiowa, Kansas, for supplies and later to Alva, Oklahoma which was a few miles closer.

When the state was divided into counties, we lived in Woods County and Alva was the county seat. Later when I was a girl close to the teens, Woods was divided into three counties: Woods, Alfalfa and Major. We were in Alfalfa and our county seat was Cherokee.

A little town, Augusta, was our trading post for a number of years. The men of the community got ball teams organized and I remember on Saturday P.M.'s, we would go down to Augusta to watch the games.

And in the "fall" the Veterans of Civil War had a Reunion, generally three days. We always went, generally put seats on wagon and take a load.

After a few years, some of the same carnival attractions we see today at the Fairs began setting up booths and Aid Societies had eating booths. They always had programs and get-togethers on memorial Day and Fourth of July.

The first railway that came through near us and stopped at Augusta was the Chocataw (sic). Before 1910 another town called Carmen, which was about 2-1/2 miles east of Augusta was started. It was the result of another railway called the Orient and Mexico. Carmen was only about 1-1/2 miles from us and we went to trading there. One of the principal stores was Ebert and Henry, which was a general store. They would give credit from one harvest and threshing of wheat to next, which was some time in September.

My father would go to Kansas and shuck corn for 50-cents a day in order to feed his family. Also, after the corn was gathered, he returned home and would go down about 25 miles southeast of us where the trees called Black Jacks grew. He would leave before daylight and generally got back the next evening with a load of wood on the frame work of the wagon, after getting the winter wood in for our needs. Then they (Uncle Lou and Pa) would each take a wagon and get loads and take them to Alva and sell them. After a few years the wheat harvest began to take care of our actual needs. Sometimes the wheat would be nearly a complete failure, so we had hard times occasionally.

When I was 4 years old, my brother William was born. There was a Danish lady, Mrs. Geist, that was a mid-wife and she took care of Mamma.

When I was 6 years old, my father had managed to haul enough lumber from Alva to build a house of lumber - 2 rooms downstairs and 2 upstairs. It was called a story and a half. In July the year I was six, my bother George was born.

Going back to our start in Oklahoma, my father had taken what they call a breaking plow and plowed the virgin soil; then they picked up the pieces of soil, about 12"x18", and laid them each on top of the other with a mixture of sand, lime and water between them, to build our house.

We lived in this house for six years. Part of the walls were plastered. When we first went there, my mother would put me in a little wood wagon she had and pull me over to grandma Westfall's, two miles from our house. Grandma generally drove Old Kit to a buggy they had brought from Nebraska, and brought us home.

Mamma was about 22 years old when they came from Nebraska. There were rattle snakes, quite a lot and Mamma was very watchful and killed many with the hoe. We had an old dog we called Shag; and sometimes if he was watching me, he would grab a snake by the back of the neck and shake it to death.

Our nearest neighbors was about 1/2 mile north of us. He was a Methodist preacher and she and the three oldest boys did most of their farming. There were seven children. The youngest girl was a year or so older than I, but we got along fairly well, unless there were older children present, then they tried to shut me out of the play. Their name was Lakey. And after I was old enough to take to Sunday School, they took me each Sunday to Augusta until I was about 9 or 10 years old.

About 1903 the Christian church started a Sunday School in our school house about 1-1/2 miles north of us. I started going there, generally walking. Visiting Christian church preachers came through and preached for us. After the church started in Carmen, the preacher came out in the P.M. and preached to us. Sometime between 11 and 12 years of age, I made the beginning of a christian life. I was baptized the same day my mother was at Shockley's Pond.

Some time between 13 and 18 years old, we began driving to Carmen on Sunday A.M. to the Christian church. My grandma Westfall came from the Christian church. She had one brother who was a preacher in the Christian church.

I walked to school 1-1/2 miles from the time I was 7 years old to a school in the country with all eight grades. About 30 to 5 pupils attended with one teacher. My 1st teacher was Loren Neal. When I was in 3rd grade we had a teacher who drove to school each morning in a wagon. As he went past our house, we children rode with him.

My school days in the one room school lasted from 7 years old to 15 years. Then as there wasn't many high schools, my father decided to let me go to Carmen to high school. It was a pleasant year.

But the past County Superintendent, Mrs. McGreevy, talked Pa into letting me go back out to our own school as she was going to teach, so she took special interest in three of us girls and trained us to take Teacher's Exams in the spring.

There were three grades - 3rd grade certificates; 2nd grade and 1st grade. A person started by trying for 3rd grade certificate. I passed the Exams and the year I was 18 I taught my first term of school, about 12 miles from home. My father would take me over on Sunday P.M. and I boarded with a Mrs. Griffin who lived right near the school house.

When I think of how little I knew, I marvel that I ever taught that school. The youngsters in 8th grade, some were nearly as old as I. My 2nd term was right near Kansas border, Waldron, Kansas. I did not come home on weekends very often as I rode the train.

My 3rd and 4th term was at West Clay about 3 or 4 miles east of our school. I drove a buggy and horse back and forth and boarded at home. My 5th term was at our own home District and I walked back and forth.

My 6th term was up at Keystone. I boarded with the Frank Ice family. Their daughter Bertha was about my age, so it was a real pleasant year.

I attended the M.E. Church there and that is where I met Fred. He walked me home to Ice's several times, leading his horse. He finally got a new buggy and drove me home near Carmen on Friday evenings and came after me on Sunday afternoons. These were very pleasant trips. We were married on June 11, 1916. We drove to Yewed, Oklahoma on Sunday P.M. to our pastor's home. Bertha (Ice) Davis and her husband was our witnesses. My brother, William, and Mamma and Raymond also were present.

Fred and I began our married life in an old house about like the one we are now living in (1966). It was his grandma Hopkins place. 80 acres to seed to wheat. He had 3 or 4 horses, the one we thought the most of was "Old Don." He was the one we drove while courting. He had a cow or two and we raised a few pigs and chickens.

I became pregnant soon after marriage. In those days the women knew very little about the care. At 5 months I visited our Dr. Welch who was in a little town of Dacoma. He didn't tell me to come back and so I didn't. At a little past 8 months I was so bloated and swollen with excess water that Fred's mother told me I'd better go to the doctor. As my eyes were so swollen and blurred, I said, "Yes."

So Fred took me down that P.M. The doctor was horrified, but said very little. He gave me some pills, which brought on labor and also caused the passing of much water. I got so sick in a day or two I called Fred's mother and when she came over and saw me, she sent for Fred, who was working down at the church helping clean up after a small fire there.

When he came home she told him to call the doctor. As the doctor was quite busy that night (5 babies he delivered) going from home to home, he couldn't come right away. When ours came they were twins. One of the babies we named Louis and the other Lawrence. Louis only lived 2 days.

Lawrence was quite frail and slept so much we were worried he wouldn't live. I was so flighty and crazy and up on the chamber passing water that I couldn't sleep; so after 2 days and 1 night at high pitch, Fred got in bed with me and soothed and talked till finally I fell asleep for a small nap. Then I began to have sleep off and on until I was sleeping normally. It was nearly month before my eye sight got back to normal."
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Duchess Snowy Domain

It is that time of year that families come together, and travel "Over the River" and "through the woods" to grandparents and other relatives homes for the end of year holidays.

It is again four days before Christmas and ... All through the land, not a creature was stirring except those with last minute searches for something special for someone special!

"Have a safe and Merry Christmas to all!" ..... she proclaimed as she drove out of sight to finish her christmas shopping for dogs, donations and stocking stuffers.
We wish you all a safe journey during the holidays to wherever you may go. We shot the above snowy journey of our return trip from Vallecito Reservoir, in SW Colorado a week ago before another snowy coldfront passed through dumping another foot of snow.

Joy To the World -- Peace On Earth -- Merry Christmas -- Happy Holidays To All!
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Restoration of the Runnymede Hotel

Ken Brown reminds us and Eric from last weeks newsletter, "Eric, I''m part of the group which has overseen the restoration of the old Runnymede Hotel here in Alva, OK. We sure would like to hear what you remember about the original location. You might want to look at www.Therunnymede.com for a look at what the building now looks like."
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8th Iowa Cavlary & Alfalfa County, OK

N. Dale Talkington (email: daletalkington@gmail.com) has a message for Marty Myers, County Coordinator for Alfalfa County, Cherokee, Oklahoma. Dale says, "Marty, I am doing extensive research on the 1,237 men of the 8th Iowa Cavalry and wonder if any of them are listed as being buried in Alfalfa County? THANKS!"
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Family History & Sammy Paris

Vernon says, "Hi, Linda! Received your newsletter today and found it interesting as always. A Question -- Is Sammy still alive and living in Idaho? Of all the second generation children of Joseph Hurt and Ann Wallman only three remain: myself and my sister Marianna and Sammy. All of the Louthans, Holubs, E.J. Hurt, & Eddie Hurt ancesters are gone. I lost track of the Hamiltons. Aline lived with us for a short time after her mother died in 1927. She had two brothers, Bennie and Scott. Anna Hurt remained in Nebraska and married a Shilhan. I understand they had three children, Victor, Anna and Helen. I remember that my mother and Uncle Joe (EJ) went to Nebraska some where around 1930 and visited her sister. At that time I had no interest in cousins living so far away. We use to go to Oklahoma at least once a year but old age is settling in and our travel days are about over. I will be 89 next month and my wife is 86 and not in very good health. Merry Christmas to you and your family."

[Editors Note: In response to Vernon Pope ... As far as I know Uncle Sammy Eugene Paris is still alive and living at Sandpointe, Idaho. I just learned recently that his wife Cecelia Mae Snyder Paris died last year, !4 December 2008.]
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Hurt Family From Bohemia

Ed Hurt (email: soonered3@yahoo.com) asks, "I am quite certain there is no connection to my family and yours, but here is the only information I have. I thought I'd at least give it a shot!

My grandfather spoke fluent Czech or Bohemian, but try as I might I cannot find out anymore about my "Hurt" family.

My grandfather: Edward Hurt, born in Bohemia; son of Anton Hurt; apparently had two sisters; family settled in Abie, Nebraska then moved to Carmen, Oklahoma. I would think he was born around 1885. Lived in Carmen most of his life. Died approx. 1952. Buried in Carmen.

My father: Edward Hurt Jr., Born in Woodward, OK - 1907. One brother Arlington James (A.J.) born around 1910 - 1913. Raised in Carmen. Student first, then Athletic Director (oklahoma Baptist Univ. 1925 - 1955. (father Edward Jr.) --- A.J. Hurt - (my uncle) chiropractor at Tonkawa and OKC. Died approx. 1981 - buried in Carmen."
The name Vacin is in the mix. Think it might be one of grandfathers sisters who perhaps married a "Vacin". If you have ever heard anything about these people would love to hear from you. Edward (Eddie) Hurt III Riverside, Ca. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus

For all those children out there still wondering with doubt - Here is a news clipping of Virginia's letter to the editor and the Editor's replyl appearing in the September 21, 1897 edition of the New York Sun. The editorial, which included the famous reply "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus", has become an indelible part of popular Christmas lore in the United States.

In 1897, Dr. Philip O'Hanlon, an assistant on Manhattan's Upper West Side, was asked by his then eight-year-old daughter, Virginia (1889-1971), whether Santa Claus really existed. Virginia O'Hanlon had begun to doubt there was a Santa Claus, because her friends had told her that he did not exist.

Dr. O'Hanlon suggested she write to the New York Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper at the time, assuring her that "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." While he may have been passing the buck, he unwittingly gave one of the paper's editors, Francis Pharcellus Church, an opportunity to rise above the simple question, and address the philosophical issues behind it.

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.

"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."
VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
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