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If you know Homer Malone's family, will you forward this to his descendants? Warm Regards, Jane Curci wmcurci@aol.com
Christmas Letter to Santa 1902 "I have been very good ever since the change of the moon and will try always to be good. Please bring me a cap pistol, a wagon and a doll apiece for my little sisters and a jumping jack for baby." — Homer Malone
Today, I read the following letter addressed to Santa from a little boy named Homer Malone!
I thought it would be nice to trace the children and see where they went in life. Merry Christmas! Jane Curci wmcurci@aol.com
Here is a sweet gift from the 106 years past...
http://www.star-telegram.com/local/story/1111901.html Santa letters from the 1900s: 'I will be a nice little girl and help my mamma'
Fort Worth Star-Telegram [TX], by David Casstevens
In December 1902, the Fort Worth Telegram invited its "little readers" to write to Santa Claus and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. The newspaper published the letters, several each day, sometimes on the front page. The holiday feature became a tradition for the next seven years. Back then, the world, the news media included, was less cynical. Five years earlier, when an 8-year-old girl wrote to the New York Sun and asked if Santa really existed, the editors didn’t throw her inquiry away but promptly answered with a thoughtful, eloquently written editorial. Yes, Virginia, it emphatically stated, there is a Santa Claus. "The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see." So in faith, and with love, the children mailed in their wish lists. Printed among ads for holiday chocolates (35 cents per pound) and Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp-Root Kidney, Liver and Bladder Cure, the letters spoke of a frugal time when Christmas wasn’t so commercialized, when children didn’t ask for much — a popgun, a pencil box, a train, marbles, a wash stand, a dolly "that closes her eyes." For some kids, seeing their names in print may have been the most exciting gift of all. Signed "Yours truly," "Your loving boy," "Your little friend," the missives arrived by the sackful. Some were doubtless written by parents. Others contained misspellings, authentically childlike. The polite letters have a timeless quality. Some innocent, simply stated appeals touch the heart. Here’s a sampling of what ran in the Telegram of yesteryear:
"Dear Santa: If you please, this is what I want. A drum, a milk wagon, a Noah’s ark, a bat and ball, a blank pistol, a little elephant and fruit, nuts and some candy." — Charlie McCafferty Jr., 8
'"Dear Old Santa Claus, I read that you was at the [newspaper] office this week and wanted your pack to go down so it will not be so heavy, so I want to help you unload it. That’s all. Bye-bye." — Chessie Clements
"Please come down through the chimney at 1013 West Belknap Street." — Clarence Spensley
"Bring me a doll with light hair and one with dark hair for my little sister, Aurora, so we can tell them apart. If you don’t she will break her doll and claim mine. . . . I have been a good girl but Aurora is mean and good mixed." — Nature Fournier
"I want a nice overcoat and a pair of gloves, and a dynamite cane and 500 caps, fifteen packages of firecrackers, fifteen Roman candles. I will leave . . . a card of thanks on the table for all you bring. I live on the North Side, on Poverty hill, on Abrams street, near Harvey’s tavern, and nothing to eat." — Edward Abrams
"I would like you to bring me a pair of football pance and a round football . . ." — Robert Scott
"I would like to have lots of nice things, but will be pleased and appreciate anything that dear old Santa brings." — Zora Dixon
"My letter is kinder late. . . . I am a smart boy and a poor boy and have had a hard time. I am 12 years old. Had an operation performed on me when 9 years old and had pneumonia twice and I guess you know why I ask for a good suit. Dear good papa would get them for me if he was able. Now please bring my sweet little sister, Tallie D. something, she is 7 months old. . . . Knock at the door when you bring my things and I will let you peep at her. Good-bye." — Flynn Davidson
"I will take a doll and buggy and some candy and nuts and think of Carrie and Howard, my little brother and sister, because our house got burned up and paps can’t buy us anything much. Am 10 years old." — Nora Brown
"I need and want so many things that I cannon decide so I will leave it to Dear Santa Claus to bring me what he has to spare. I know you have so many to give that I will appreciate anything. I will be a nice little girl and help my mamma. My papa is dead. I am 10." — Sadie May Pope
>>>>>"I have been very good ever since the change of the moon and will try always to be good. Please bring me a cap pistol, a wagon and a doll apiece for my little sisters and a jumping jack for baby." — Homer Malone
"Dear Santa Claus, I am a little boy, 5 years old. I bring in wood, split kindling, go to the store and market for mamma. I know most of my letters and can count [to] twenty. Please bring me a slate and pencil, a little red wagon . . . also a little bank to put my pennies in. I have 105 and keep all I get. Santa, if you bring these I will be a good little boy and help mama all I can. I will leave the back door open. Kiss me before you go. Your little friend." — Virgil Moore, 933 East Terrell Ave.
DAVID CASSTEVENS, 817-390-7436
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