Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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V"-' . Friday, December 26, 1947 the NEWBET^Y sun i*cnvca<M* or» r tc.iv OUR WISH FOR YOU ' v oxio mA The South Carolina National Bank A. P. SALLEY JOHN T. NORRIS, JR. JOE L. KEITT JOHN A. SATTERWHITE LEWIS SHEALY J. A. BOWERS, JR. JIM SIMPKINS GLADYS H. CARLTON ELEANOR S. GRIFFITH GENEVA H. WALL IDA MAE HAWKINS ELIZABETH ADAMS Christmas With the Pioneers Held Deep Religious Meaning OHRISTMAS on the frontier, as new bands of pioneers pushed ever westward to carve an empire out of virgin plains and wilder nesses, was in marked contrast to tne present holiday. v There was more meaning then In the words of The Book concerning shepherds in a certain country watching their flocks by night. The solitudes, the closeness of the stars, the virginity of the new world and its humble people made one feel that time had stood still. Christmas in those days somehow seemed much closer to that, first Christmas. Those bleak plains could be the ones the Wise Men crossed, this the Night and yon sleeping village, Beth lehem. The faith of the trail break ers was that of the Wise Men. On Christmas Eve the pioneer folks would gather in a crude little church, or schoolhouse where chil dren recited their pieces and sang % w or a calico doll from Santa Claus. But that doll, made from spare strips of bright cloth, probably was more treasured than any modern doll that can say “Mama,” go to sleep and perhaps require a diaper. Children who received a slate pen cil or a shell-box, a little affair covered with shells and containing a I small mirror, were the special fa vorites of Santa. For goodies, no Christmas was complete without its pans of pop corn and ropes of molasses taffy. In rare cases there might be a bag of candy. TN THE isolated cabins it wasn't * so easy to gather with one’s neigh bors to celebrate. There were wolves in the timber and being caught In a sudden storm on the pioneer trails spelled death. Christmas in some places meant a bobsled ride or perhaps a square The poinsettia has no Christmas legend and its adoption as a symbol or decoration for Christmas is of recent origin. In Spain it is known as the flor de noche-buene, and is connected with the sentiment of Christmas. Its beautiful flaming star is one of the favorite flowers of the Christmas season, and its use as an indoor dec oration is universal. IN MEMORY i«iA' songs aoout the birth of the Christ Child. Santa would hand out mos quito-bar sacks of candy, a golden orange or an apple to each one, and childhood rapture would make that meager offering truly a gift of gold and frankincense. H OME-MADE sleds and sleighs skimmed over the snowy coun tryside with sleigh bells jingling ac companiment to the caroling of “Jingle BeUs, Jingle Bells.” Except in the forest regions, few children enjoyed the sight of a Christmas tree. But always they hung up their stockings, an old custom of their forefathers. It was a lucky boy who awoke Christmas morning to find a new jack-knife in his stocking; a lucky girl wno received a string of beads By Geneva Thames (This poem submitted by Gil bert Thames and Bill Little ton, in memory of their little inends and scnool mates, who were killed in the Silverstreet school bus tragedy, December 18, 1946. Also in memory of Mr. Richard Sanders, their driver.) Once again a long year has passed us by. And as we look at the calendar, a tear leaves our eye. For December the eighteenth has come again, Bringing memories of loved ones we will ne’re see again. There was Robert, Harold and Jackie Lancaster, Libby and Bobby Long also Jerry Padgett, Charlene Garner who also lost in the disaster, That we, the ones who are left will never forget. Fannie Murrey, Donald Bran non, Peggy and J. W. Riser, These bring the number of playmates lost up to eleven, a turkey There Was also Mr. Richard Sanders, the driver, Who went on that last long bus ride to Heaven. Abbreviation, Xmas Of Greek Origin There has been much unfavorable comment on the abbreviated form for Christmai that is commonly used. Many think it inappropriate and undignified to use the shortened form, Xmas. ■ The explanation of its origin is that the initial letter of the Greek name for Christ is X and the coin cidence of its cruiciform shape led to an early adoption of this letter as the figure and symbol of Christ. X is frequently found on walls of the catacombs. When the early Chris tians wished to make a representa tion of the Trinity, they would place either a cross or an X beside the names of the Father and the Holy Ghost. From this came the short ened form Xmas, instead of Christ mas. dance, often followed by dinner costing 25 cents. Gifts, if any. generally were in the form of utilitarian mittens, muf flers or home-made boots. For the women there might be a piece of Intricate handiwork to which some enterprising friend had devoted her spare time for months. Throughout the holiday season a candle burned in the attic window, guiding late-faring travelers to shel ter—the Star of Bethlehem on the frontier. But withall these hardy folks had as much tun as their great-grand sons and daughters who again this year will celebrate by exchanging elaborate gifts, dancing to name bands, feasting with no worries that tomorrow there may be nothing in the electric refrigerator. They left a lot of friends to grieve for them down here, Their mothers and fathers with hearts torn in two, They left brothers and sisters and teachers so dear, And beside all of them they left me and you. But as I look at the sunshine or yet at a star, Or at the rain by the wind be ing driven, I like to think it’s these child ren, wherever they are, The ones who’ll always spent their Christmas’s in Heaven. BOOZER-SEASE Miss Evelyn Sease became the bride of Granville Boozer of Kinards in a lovely candlelight ceremony at 4:00 p. m., Novem ber 30, at the home of the bride. Dr. J. K. Carson, former pastor of the bride, of Bessemer City, N. C., performed the double ring ceremony in the presence of the immediate family. Mrs. Frank Hanna, sister of the bride, was matron of honor and the bride’s only attendant. She wore a dress of brown crepe with brown accessories and a corsage of yellow tinted carna tions. Ray Boozer was his brother’s best man. The couple entered the cere mony room together. The bride was lovely in a two piece suit of winter white with which she wore a white hat trimmed with black, black accessories and a purple orchid corsage. Mrs. Boozer is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Sease of Newberry. She is a graduate of Newberry high school and Perry Business school. For the past several years she has held a secretarial position with the Newberry Re capping company. Mr. Boozer is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Boozer of Kin ards, where he is engaged in the mercantile business. He is a graduate of the Clinton high school. He served three and one half years with the U. S. army air force. An informal reception was held immediately after the cere mony. Mr. anr Mrs. Boozer left during the afternoon for a wedding trip, and are now m ik- ing their home with the bride’s parents. (r^ w, With the passing of each year, it becomes more evident that the peace of Christmas is enjoyed only because there were those who made every sacrifice that we might enjoy Christmas to its fullest extent. As we extend our Season's Greeting we are mindful that without those sacrifices, we could not enjoy the blessings of peace. l * • If we strike a solemn note at this glad season of the year, it is only because we are re membering that there were those who gave their all to make it possible for Americans everywhere to observe and enjoy Christmas. i. The peace of Christmas is sacred. May we never forget. Kendall Mills OAKLAND Plant MOLLOHON Plant