Christmas Births and Courage in a Spencer Family
A Christmas memory from Spencer Iowa recounts Juanita Marie Buchan Downing, born on Christmas Day, later a Navy surgical nurse aboard a hospital ship. She saved a wounded captain by removing an unexploded 75 mm shell under bombardment, an act celebrated in radio, TV, and TRUE magazine. The narrator reflects on whether her birth may have given her a special mission while noting her family ties and descendants.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Spencer
Emmetsburg
Gustafson
Red
Father
Gustafsons
Mother
Juanita Marie
Mama
Juanita
U.S. Navy
Carl Downing
Carl
Buchan
Carl Buchan Downing
Darian
Darien
China
True Magazine
How Santa Claus Came to Simpsons Bar by Bret Harte
A 1862 Western Christmas tale set in Simpson's Bar Sacramento Valley. Ill boy Johnny wonders about Santa Claus as rugged locals gather in a poor cabin. Dick Bullen borrows a mare to seek Christmas gifts for the child, amid rough frontier life.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bret Harte
Sacramento Valley
Santa Claus
Simpson's Bar
Harte
Johnny
Table Mountain
Sandy Claws
Dick Bullen
Jovita
Troopers Tighten Crackdown On Drunk Drivers In Holidays
Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Charles Larson said state troopers will increase patrols during late evening and early morning hours to curb alcohol related fatalities. The move targets tavern and bar areas with emphasis on erratic driving and metropolitan patrols to cover areas with 70 percent of Iowa’s fatalities. Citizens are urged to call taxis or the HELP line 1 800 362 2200 to report drunk driving and have officers dispatched.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Larson
Its Ice Fishing Time In Iowa Says Commission
The Iowa Conservation Commission reports many lakes have safe ice and fishing is underway. Superintendent Jerry Conley notes early ice fishing is the hottest, with bluegill crappie and yellow perch common. Walleyes have been caught in West Okoboji East Okoboji Spirit Lake Clear Lake and the upper Mississippi River. Creel surveys point to strong bluegill and crappie angling on lakes including Big Creek Rock Creek Prairie Rose Lake Anita Viking Lake Red Haw Lake Macbride Rathbun and Green Valley. Perch action favors Clear Lake West Okoboji or Spirit Lake. New anglers need an auger ladle ice rods tear drop lures wax worms and mosses bait, plus a bucket for gear and seating. a full setup costs under $20.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa Conservation Commission
Jerry Conley
The
Commission
West Okoboji
East Okoboji
Spirit Lake
Clear Lake
Mississippi River
Big Creek
Polk County
Rock Creek
Jasper County
Prairie Rose
Shelby County
Lake Anita
Cass County
Viking Lake
Montgomery County
Red Haw
Lucas County
Lake Macbride
Johnson County
Rathbun
Appanoose County
Green Valley
Uuion County
A Farmer Reworks Land For Easier Work
Neal's tale describes a man with a small, pretty farm relying on family labor and simple tools. He raises crops and livestock without chemicals, hunting game and fishing the stream for food. He decides to straighten the stream and remove trees to fit larger equipment. Continued on page 11.
History of Christmas Stockings Across Cultures
A compact history traces Christmas stockings from ancient gift exchanges by Romans and biblical figures to a Turkish bishop’s charity and the Germanic origins of hanging stockings. It notes Dutch and Dutch New Amsterdam influence, Santa Claus lore, and modern snack gifts in stockings while contrasting European shoe traditions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jesus
Santa Claus
Germany
New World
New Amsterdam
America
Santa
Europe
Also Mentioned on This Page
Times
Neal
Noel May the
Federal
Bank Assn
Christ
Estherville
Graettinger American Legion
Kermit & Ray
Ray
Bill Fade
Tim Murphy Fermer
Creamery Co
Graettinger
Bonstead
Avery
Clara Mae
Brian
Darrell
Christus
Noel
Chris
K&s
Estherville, Iowa
Coit
Sus
Ervin Wikert Ed
Frerichs
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!