Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

HH CHRISTMAS EDITION S1k^> Early! VOLUME XXVI ^ /' r - rrZZ^~ill' ? ' 'i - CLINTON, & C., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16,1926 CHRISTMAS EDITION %op Early! NUMBER 50 OF CITY HONORED AT FEAST THE WORLD LOVES THE CHARACTER OF SANTA CLAUS * ffis Coming Is An Event of Interest to Millions. Stores of the City Are Filled With Wares Hint Tell of His Approach. Christmas will soon be here and with the happy event will come Santa with his loads of treasures. In itkra for this day of days, aev- effcl local stores have laid ir a supply of toys and other delightful things that are now being daily viewed in the windows by the little folks who are all excited and wondering- what Old Santa will leave in their stock- ^ ik - -* ' Christmas symbol I 1118 such the youth of the world than of Santa Claus. Prob ably he originated in Holland and was foported to this country from the early Dutch settlers. As St, Nicholas or San Nicholas he is the patron saint of the children, s portly jovial person who has found his way into the hearts of the little folks and is cherished lovingly by them. According to a popular myth he is supposed to sweep down from the North driving his sleigh, laden with gifts for good chil- dren.<to which is hitched reindeers. The picture of our modern Sants Claus is probably described in most picturesque fashion by Clement Clark Moore’s familiar poem: “He was dressed in fur from his head to foot. And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.” Even the reindeer were named in this popular tale of Christinas Eve “Now Dasher! now Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen! On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and BliUen!” idea of having Santa Claus down the chimney may be «Xr plained by an old English custom. It was supposed to bring good luck to sweep the chimney at that tithe. In France, St. Nicholas is called Bon- homme Noel, or Pere Nod, meaning good Noel or father Noel. In Ger many the name is Christkindlein or Kris Kringle. Not only are older persons secur ing pretty things for the children, but the Christmss shopping has begun in earnest, and stores are crowded with persons hurrying here and there in order to secure first choice on pres ents for their families and friends. It seems probable that the custom of exchanging presents at Christmas time came from the desire to follow the example of the. unselfishness of Christ. It is said, however, that the pagans exchanged gifts at their win ter festivals. There was a custom which may be responsible for modern Christmas gift giving. It was known as the Priest’s box. Among the Ro mans it was customary for a priest to put a box on all outgoing boats, in which money had been placed. The box was sealed before the boat set to sea. When the boat returned, the box was kept until Christmas, when it was opened and the contents distributed among the poor. Later the Priest’s box was known as the Christmas box and those who had not placed any thing in it came forward and offered gifts. People sometimes think that the true significance of Christmas day is overshadowed by the stress placed on the buying of Christmas gifts. This, however, is not a late development. The Germans were so fond of this custom that it became an obligation and cases were known where men tually left the country at this in order to escape gift giving. Germany the custom spread over Eu rope and to America, until today we are drifting into the habit much as the Germans did. * DELEGATION MEETS WITH COMMISSION AT ££ Additional Loan Authorized For Car rying On Two or Three Projects Over the Coonty. Laurens, Dec. 10.—At a joint meet ing last Tuesday afternoon of the Laurens County Highway commission and the legislative delegation, includ ing new members, the commission was authorized to borrow additional funds for the purpose of continuing and com pleting certain road* projects now un der construction. This action was in line with the policy that has been fol lowed during the past few months, pending the decision of the supreme court in the matter of the validity of the half million dollar road bonds. At a previous meeting, the com mission was given authority to bor row $8,000 for road work purposes, the impression then being that the bond question would soon be settled. Still facing the same situation this week, it was deemed advisable to go n step farther, as the road construe- forces are on hand and the work on the projects that remain un- Henee, and additional sum m allowed, making a total of $20,500 rw to be available for construction. These appropriations are to be tak- i care- of out of 1927 gasoline tax provided the bond issue falls If the bonds get the O. K. of the supreme court, then the gas tax will be applied to paying interest on and reducing the principal of the as provided in the act authoriz- g the issuance of the securities. Road projects now under construe- and projected include the high way from Cross Hill to Waterloo, a dioUiif i of about six miles; from Boyd's Cross Roach via Lisbon to Cal- higbway near Mrs. Annie Dun lap’s home, and from Senator Good- wht’s to Sandy Springs church, con- with the Watts Milla-Yarboc- highway. It is not likely that the funds authorised for these pro jects win he sufficient to complete it is understood that impor- must he constructed on the Lisbon and Sandy Springs routes. BOARD FAILS TO ELECT PRESIDENT Trustees Reach No Agreement. Vice- President Spencer To Serve Until Douglas* Successor Is Named. The board of trustees of the Pres byterian college, in session here last Thursday, failed to elect a president for the institution as a successor to Dr. D. M. Doughs, resigned. After noon and'night sessions were held and after several hours deliberation, it was stated through the acting-chair- man, Dr. W. M. McPheeters of Colum bia, that no information would be giv en out other than the announcement that a sub-committee had been ap pointed to consider engaging a suc cessor to Dr. Douglas. This commit tee is composed of Dr. W. M. Mc- Pheeters of Columbia, Maj. J. D. Fulp of Greenwood, and Dr. R. F. Kirkpat rick of Anderson. The board had before it for con sideration, several well known minis ters hnd educators whose names have been unofficially mentioned in connec tion with Ihe presidency. The trustees named Dr. A. E. Spen cer, vice-president, to serve as acting- president after Dr. Douglas leaves un til a president is obtained. Dr. Spe*- cer is head of the department of French and Greek and has long been identified with the college as one of its ablest and most popular professors. Mrs. Vene Ray Passes At Renno DR. DOUGLAS HRARD AT THORNWRLL MEMORIAL Dr. D. M. Dougina outuphid the pul pit of the TVmnrell Memorial church tent Sunday at belli topnuag and nf- aerrkes, in the aheynce from and la atwaya heard with by the japng people of the Mrq. Vene Ray, 71, died Monday at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. John H. Bell of Renno. Funeral ser vices were held at Sardis cemetery. Rev. Mr. Murray officiating. Mrs.'Ray was the widow of the late j Thomas Ray, who died several years ago. She is survived by the following children: Mrs. Mark Pitts, Mrs. John H. Bell and Miss Minnie Ray, besadea the following brothers and sisters: R. F. and L Ed Adair, and Mrs. J. D. Dillard of this city. This was the second death tn the family during the week, Mrs. Ray being a sister of W. P. Adair who died in Washington, D, C., and was brought here for burial at last Saturday. The deceased wad* a lovable* tian woman of ipany notable trails of character, highly eeteemed by a large circle of friends and be grieved to leans of / Mm. G. C. Odiorne and aoa ef New berry, wtfe visiters fas the dty Citizens Sing Heroes’ Praise Big Night Staged By Commer cial, Rptary and Kiwanis Clubs In Honor of Football Elevens of Presbyterian College, Clin ton Hi and Thornwell. Fiddlers To Play Friday Night ft*.** ' ... lovers of the community will have an opportunity on Friday night to hear some excellent talent in a Fiddlers convention to be given in the Florida street school auditorium. It is expected that contestants from all South Carolina will be present of interest will he awarded *t individual and ensemble Sm at right o'clock with of 25 and 50 cents. B is that a big crowd win he al ef real Methodists Plan Special Program A Christmas program of interest will be presented next Sunday morn ing by the Sunday school pupils of North Broad Street Methodist church. All are cordially invited for the exer cises. LATEST GIN FIGURES Laurens county ginned 12,079 bales of cotton to Dec. 1st, 1926, as compar ed with 11,087 covering thd same pe riod last year. High Honor For P. C. Graduate Clinton scored a touchdown Tuesday night for the Presbyterian college, Thornwell and Clinton Hi football elevens with a brilliant banquet given in their honor and attended by a large number of business and professional men of the city. The occasion had been properly termed “athletic night** and was sponsored by the Commercial, ^Rotary and Kiwanis clubs of the city. D. W. A. Neville, president of the I Commercial club,\ presided, and for three hours the large gathering en joyed one of the mdst delightful af fairs ever staged in the city. Coach Johnson and every member of the squads were honored and their praises sung throughout the evening, a num ber of citizens paying tribute to 4 the teams that have brought fame this year to Clinton by their wbpderful records. \ At the conclusion of the delightful dinner served by the ladies of the lo cal Eastern Star chapter, President Neville rapped for order and in behalf of the Commercial club warmly anc cordially welcomed the young men of the three teams and gave them some splendid words of admonition. L. H. Griffith, Earl Dunlap and Melvin Ben nett, respective captains of Presby terian college, Thornwell Orphanage and Clinton Hi teams, responded in behalf of their squads and spoke of the fine outlook for next year. These young men were enthusiastically re ceived. W. H. Simpson, president of the Ki wanis club, and R. W. Wade, head of the Rotary chib, likewise extendei a cordial welcome to the gridiron guests in behalf of their organizations. Dr. L. R. Lynn was called upon for a general address and expressed the interest of the town in the young men. He referred to the fine demonstra tion of community spirit with all clubs and citizens united and standing to gether. He spoke of the large place athletics holds with the public today and said that this interest was not merely for amusement and recreation, but for the fine contribution it makes to the community. He spoke of the fine contribution athletics makes to the development of young manhood and admonished the young men of the respective teams to hold up high stan dards at all times and to play clean and fair. ^ In closing his appropriate address, he reminded the teams that the final whistle of life has not yet blown .and that it is just as essential to play the game of life honestly and clean as it is to pursue this policy in their athletic contests. Dr: D. M. Douglas, president of Presbyterian college, congratulated the community on having the possi bilities of such fine young manhood in its midst and paid a glowing tribute to Coach Walter Johnson and Coach Lonn’e McMillian. He a!so paid a tribute of appreciation - !*) Dr. T. J. Peake for the contribution he has al ways made to athletics at the college and for the spirit of interest and help fulness he has shown the members of the team each year. As a glorious climax of the even ing, a sterling silver pitcher was pre sented to Dr. Davison McDowell Doug las, retiring president of Presbyterian college, as a token of the esteem and love in which the business men of the city hold him. The presentation speech was made by W. W. Harris, who spoke of the community’s high appreciation <^Mr. Douglas as citizen, educator and friend. He said that‘Dr. Douglas had identified himself with all interests of the community and was a useful and honored and beloved citizen. He spoke of his outstanding work as an educa tor 'and termed him as one of the master-builders in Christian educa tion. In conclusion, he spoke of Dr. Douglas as a friend, aiid presented the silver .pitcher in behalf of the gather ing as a token of love and apprecia tion of his services in the community. Dr. Douglas was escorted to the Joe M. Stokes, a member of the 1925 graduating class of Presbyterian College, has been awarded the Rhodes , front by W. D. Copeland and E. G. scholarship from South Carolina from Fuller and received the pitcher. He a field of fifteen applicants. Mr. Stokes is well remembered here by a number of friends who will learn with interest of the high distinction he has won. Last year he was connected with the college as secretary to the presi dent and left here early in the fall for Yale university. New Haven, Conn., where he is student in English. ?■ >- IwU.tAE&.’ZLwS r~. was completely surprised and feeling ly responded in an effort to ^xpress his appreciation and the affection that he holds for Clinton and its people. . Dr. T. J. Peake spoke of the fine quality of the football teams of the college and of the love he hplds for the members the team. He said be appreciated their work mad it was (Continued on Page Eight) • *•* * /* ‘ . u : < / * • .