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This newspaper page contains 16 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Brimfield News
Location
Brimfield, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1900
Page
7
A fragmentary tale recalls bells of Bethlehem and a family's Christmas amid hardship. A widow prays for relief as her sons Eugene and Tommy face poverty, while a hopeful elder promises perseverance and trust in God to secure better days.
A poor widow and her three children face a lean Christmas with memory of better times. The mother refuses to despair, while Thomas and Nannie brainstorm a plan to trade a worn kettle for an old sled to give the family a brighter holiday.
A novelty this year is the electrically lighted Christmas tree. An event for the purpose includes a battery enclosed in a box to stand at the foot of the tree.
The piece reflects on the heavy expectations tied to Christmas celebrations in many homes. It notes mothers and daughters feel tired and overwhelmed as the holiday approaches and worries grow about illness looming after Christmas. It questions the notion of pleasure tied to a calendar peak.
The article notes that the Christmas tree tradition spread from France to England about 1840, with Prince Albert introducing it after his marriage. It mentions Queen Victoria continuing the custom with a tree for her own gifts.
A widowed mother and her children endure a bare Christmas as neighbors forget their hardship. Midnight visitors reveal Edward’s return, restoring hope and warmth. The story concludes with modest lights on a tree and a renewed sense of family.
Edward Bok notes a growing departure from traditional Christmas celebration practices. The piece traces the tree of candles from medieval romance to Norse and German origins, linking the evergreen symbol to Christian meaning and the star, lights, and angel atop the tree as emblems of peace and divine glory.
Penelope Smith states she will not marry again as Christmas approaches. She mentions buying the cheapest possible gifts, reflecting frugal holiday preparations amid personal change.
Fragmentary text mentions Christmas cash of yesteryear and a note about no one missing. The readable bits imply a dated, belated or nostalgic reference with unclear context or concrete actions. No clear names, places, dates, or events emerge.
In Rockport Indiana a mob of about 500 broke into the jail, shot James Henderson dead in his cell, and hanged Frank Rowland and the body of Henderson after Rowland allegedly confessed to killing H S Simons for his money. Simons, a 30 year old barber and father of two, was found slain with a bloodied head and clubs used in the attack.
Charles A. Towne, the ex congressman known for silver advocacy, was appointed by the governor to fill the late Senator Davis’s Minnesota seat. He withdrew from the Populist ticket after Adlai Stevenson’s nomination by Democrats and faces a legislature election in January to determine a longer term.
German training frigate Contisantu wrecked off Malaya during a storm while attempting the harbor. Over a hundred dead or missing, 461 crew aboard, trained cadets among the casualties. Commander and officers stayed at posts to save cadets before sinking. Ship built at Dantsig in 1899, 2242 feet long, speed 13 knots. Armament listed.
A government push to import Lapland reindeer into Alaska failed. The piece notes about 100 Indians live on reserve lands across Canada. A shooting in Mango Florida left Paul Heart dead, with W J Bailey as shooter. A 15 year old George Sandrock was jailed in New York for stealing a kitchen item.
Oscar L. Boos, a 20 year old former West Point cadet, died at his Bristol Pennsylvania home after a period of illness linked by his father to hazing at the academy. He resigned in 1898 and later suffered throat and stomach decay from what was described as brutal hazing acts. The family cites tobaco sauce pepper and hot grease used on him.
The report notes funds moving closer as January interest and dividend disbursements approach. Money rates hold at 5 to 6 percent for call and time loans with December higher due to bank reserve needs.
Telegraphic briefs report large coal reserves discovered in upper Alaska. Other notes state literacy rates in Mexico and voting increases in Oklahoma. Berlin goose trade reaches about 2 million dollars yearly. Downs Kansas lacks lawyers among over 1,000 residents. Missouri poised for the largest Democratic delegation in Congress. Census tallies 1.4 million more farmers since 1980. Millions left Europe seeking fortunes during the century.
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