Christmas reflections from Bedford diary clippings
A Bedford diary entry covers Christmas scenes from liquor displays in Missouri to public sentiment on liquor laws, holiday reflections on family pets and radios, and local merchants noting strong Christmas trade. It notes prices for liquor, a two month old pup, and a wary sheriff’s card, with hopeful lines about the coming year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Smoky
Sparky
W. Houck
CWA
Bedford
Grandad
The Fugitive Insull Fled Across Borders After Indictments
Samuel Insull, a dominant figure in U S utilities, built an empire through rapid expansion and aggressive tactics. After a crash exposed questionable methods, he was indicted by grand juries. He fled to Paris then Italy and Greece to dodge extradition, leaving investors to bear losses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Samuel Insull
Paris
Italy
Greece
Insull
Do Not Disbelieve in Santa Claus Be Him
A clipped Hamburg Reporter editorial extols Santa Claus as the spirit of good will and hope. It recalls 1664 British Christmas repression, argues belief benefits others, and urges readers to act as Santa themselves by giving to others even without receiving.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa Claus
Hamburg
Government aid and loans to drive national recovery
The Muskegon Heights Record argues that billions are needed for rehabilitation and that most relief will come as loans to finance industry and farms, repaid with interest. It warns private credit has faded and urges immediate government credit use to win the recovery fight.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shquid
Muskegon Heights
Mich
All we Americans must exercise patience for six months
A Detroit News quote urges patience from Americans, claiming the nation will face a shift in focus or problem after about six months as a prevailing national prob.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Detroit News
Rival candidates urged to draw lots for offices
The Philadelphia Bulletin notes that drawing lots to choose candidates could save taxpayers money and reduce hard words in campaigns. The suggestion envisions a fair lottery to determine who runs, potentially easing partisan tensions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia Bulletin
Beaver Colony Found In Montgomery County Dam Built Near Nodaway River
Deputy Game Warden A F Meier reports locating a beaver colony along the Nodaway River just north of Grant and below the Cass county line. The animals have cut trees into a solid dam spanning a mile, raising water several feet. A section and a half of land were posted as a game preserve to deter trespassers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
A. F. Meier
Sun Office
Bever
Montgomery County
Nodaway River
Grant
Cass County
Iowa
Douglas Township
This County
Noble Township
Red Oak Sun
Doctor suffers burns when caustic soda explodes
Dr Ralph Lovelady describes a Tuesday morning accident when a gallon jar of caustic soda solution exploded at his office. He sustained burns to feet legs and a severe injury to his left arm and hand from glass slivers. Shoes and clothing were ruined by the acid. He had prepared the solution for ten years and this was his first such incident. If it had hit his face or eyes, the outcome could have been worse.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ralph Lovelady
Bandits Ubiquitous Across Indianapolis Says Paper
An Indianapolis News editorial warns that police cannot be everywhere and bandits are increasingly visible, underscoring a rising concern about crime and public safety throughout the city. The piece argues for heightened vigilance and shared community responsibility.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Indianapolis News
Christmas Customs From Lands Beyond Our Shores Explored
Festus high school students in ten essays describe how families in Scotland and France celebrate Christmas. Scots dress in plaid outfits and hats, attend street hymns with bagpipes, bake cakes and puddings, and dance the Reel. In France Father Whipper accompanies Father Christmas with birch rods, while children place wooden sabots by the hearth for his descent.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Festus
Crystal City
le Pere Fauettard
Father Whipper
Whipper
Father Christmas
France
Christmas in Greece during the Christmastide
In Greece the Christmas celebration starts Christmas Eve with a lighted oil lamp before the Christ Child. Children collect gifts by visiting relatives. families bake through the week. daily church attendance continues to early January. A New Year cross-throw at the sea promises riches to the finder.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Greece
Christmas in Germany by Helen Miller
Christmas in Germany contrasts with the U S scene. Housewives bake animal shaped cakes and cookies enjoyed at Christmas. A man in strange attire visits homes checking children’s behavior, carrying a large bag and switches. If good, nuts are scattered. if not, a switch is left for punishment. The figure Ruprecht is known to all. Everyone attends church in the morning and the day stays holy. Keep in mind this is a historical description of German Christmas customs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Germany
United States
Ruprecht
Christmas in Old England by Jeanette Stauss
In Old England Saint Nicholas visited good children with gifts placed by the fire. The Yule log burned for days, mistletoe was hung, and Druids linked sacred trees to it. The feast capped by boar hunt, roasted boar head with an apple, plum pudding boiled in a kettle, holly sprig on top, then dancing and wine.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Old England
Nicholas
England
Christmas in Russia by Robert Shear
Christmas in Russia differs from the United States as a national holiday. Family centered feasts mark the day with a pudding dish containing a hidden nut. the finder wins a clothing present. New Year’s Day remains a bigger celebration in Russia.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Russia
Robert Shear
A Ukrainian Christmas By Dmytro Borusiewich
Ukrainian people observe Christmas on January 7 by the old calendar. On Christmas Eve they lay hay on the floor and hide nuts pennies and candy among the hay for children to find. A twelve course supper follows with candles on the table. They sing carols crack nuts and then attend four o clock church service and spend Christmas Day with relatives and neighbors.
Christmas in France by Catherine Worth
In France Christmas figures include Bonhomme Noel called Santa Claus accompanied by a thin, weasel-faced old gentleman with a long gray beard, a threatening presence described in the passage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
France
Catherine Worth
Bonhomme Noel
Santa Claus
Scandinavian Customs
Edith Johnson describes Baltic Christmas gifts tied to the Kris Kringle myth. Norwegian children hunt hidden toys and a bird Christmas tree is prepared with food for birds, tracing back to an old practice of placing grain on a high pole outside the yard for birds on Christmas morning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baltic Lands
Christ Child
Kris Kringle
Christmas in Switzerland by Audrey Grassmann
Audrey Grassmann depicts Swiss Christmas customs with snow lasting all winter. Preparations about a week before Christmas include cheese making and wine. Santa is unknown. stockings yield candies and nuts. Traditional sleighing, Alps ascent with a pointed stick, wine, and midnight church follow. Girls count prayers with a notch on a stick.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Switzerland
Alps
Christmas in Italy by Salvatore Pusateri
On Christmas Eve Italians play cards and stay up late then attend early Masses before returning home. Families eat breakfast, talk with relatives, and celebrate with merriment. Children sleigh ride, dinner begins with prayer, men serenade girlfriends, and young couples visit cafeterias late at night.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Italy
Christmas Dinner and Community Reflections
A reflective piece recalling a Christmas meal with traditional dishes and the author’s belief in a protector. It notes communal support for Civil Works projects, local trade, and the value of homegrown spending, urging readers to attend Christmas programs and support local events next year.
Christmas visits and gatherings in West Gay community
Mrs Paul Blane and another teacher Mrs Nolte joined by their daughter traveled to Bedford then Shenandoah to visit relatives. Helen Welch and Wayne Welch visit relatives in Des Moines. Harold Blane and Flavel Murphy drove to Dysart and back. Cora Heindel hosted dinner with Agnes Scott party near Pickering. Numerous local families hosted Christmas dinners in Bedford and surrounding area.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paul. Blane
Nolte
Bedford
Shenandoah
Helen Welch
Monjamin
Wayne Welch
Des Moines
Walter Welch
Harold Blane
Flavel Murphy
Dysart
Iowa
Cora
al Denton
Marion Brown
Dean
Abbott Risser
Ruby
Glen Ernest
Elvin
Roy Spurgeon
Fred Ernest
W. C. Ernest
Willis
Homer Avey
Charles
Clarinda
Also Mentioned on This Page
Elsawhere
Bedford Times-Press
Kansas City
Missouri
The
Santa
Beaver
Scotland
Wilbur Becker
Marita Liolios
Helen Miller
Jeanette Stauss
Dmytro Borusiewich
Edith Johnson
Audrey Grassmann
Salvatore Pusateri
West Gay
Professional Directory
Frank ‘Wisdom Co
Bedford National Bank
H. P. Jaqua
Bedford Tts
B. J. Flick
J. A. Luang Flick & Lucas
Attorneys AT Law General Law Practice
James R. Locke Reid L. Hunt
Law
J. M. Haddock
Court Street
Court House
Bddford
Federal Farm Loans
Ahrens Drug
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!