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Newspaper
Patoka Register
Location
Patoka, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1938
Page
1
A child writes to Santa in December 1938 asking for a sand sifter a watch a football a new coat games candy oranges and nuts. He admits being mean but promises to improve until after Christmas and includes a note to remember other children.
A Patoka Illinois child writes to Santa on December 12 1938 asking for a BB gun candy and oranges for self and a little brother Carl who cannot write asks for a wagon truck car and oranges plus candy. They pledge to try to be good.
A 1938 Patoka Illinois page features multiple Christmas letters from children in Shobonier Vernon and nearby areas. Entries include requests for toys such as dolls wagons trumpets and ice skates along with notes on school attendance and age.
A Shobonier fifth grader, age nine, writes in December 1938 expressing eagerness for Christmas. The letter requests a doll in a suitcase, Mother Goose book, Ting, a toy watch, lotion, a coloring book, and a neck tie from Old Santa. The child emphasizes enjoying school and being excited for holiday gifts.
Attorney General John E. Cassidy said he expects slot machines to be entirely out of operation in Illinois by January 1. He noted strong support for enforcing the ban and stated the AG’s office would aid counties on request or if law enforcement breakdown is shown.
A six year old first grader writes a friendly note to Deda Metzger dated December 12 1938. She expresses enjoyment of school and asks for a Betsy Wetsy doll a small broom and a doll house for Christmas.
A letter from Elvin Olmstead asks for a knife, Martingails, and a curve 2 bit bridle to be mailed to him. He provides his name and asks for shipment. The note lacks payment or address details.
A 7 year old boy in second grade writes requesting a pencil pen and knife. He signs as Jerry Junior Zimmerman and mentions he has missed only one day of school. A 6 year old girl in first grade asks for a wagon and a harp. She signs Joann Anderson and says she hasn’t missed a day.
A first grader, seven years old, explains his love of school and notes he has missed only three days. He asks for a red sled a caterpillar tractor and a small bed barn. Charles Grant.
A four year old writes to Santa detailing wish list items including candy nuts and oranges plus toy cars and other gifts for a Christmas program. The note is signed Russel Gillespie.
The writer, Doris Jean Sterling, asks for a doll that takes the bottle, an ink pen, an Eversharp, a portable stack of books, and candy for Christmas. She is seven years old and writes on December 13, 1938.
A three year old writes a brief request listing a doll buggy a pocket book a set of dishes a banana an orange and candy. She signs Lula Maye Siring with a P S note asking not to forget her two older sisters.
A reminiscence from Bob Kelly now in Glenarm Illinois recounts Patoka history. He describes the Bachelor Girls Club formed by ten maidens who vowed never to date Patoka boys, a social push to end the standstill with a singing plan. The eight member committee wired to craft and mail songs to their favorite girls, aiming to mend affairs and reflect Patoka’s social life.
Funeral services for Susanna Elizabeth Lane Wyant were held at Kaskaskia M E Church with Rev. Clarence Clerlock and Rev. Oral Brown officiating. The widow of Hiram F Wyant, she died December 15 1938 at age 46 after a four month illness leaving four children and the Wyant family mourners.
A letter recalling a 34 year old censored song asks for a reunion at Patoka with former friends now scattered across many states. The note mentions couples Grif fin and Ashton and Alexander and Hawkins who mailed copies, while some are buried in grassy plots as years pass.
The Vi E Church South schedules a Christmas program for Saturday evening December 24 at 7 o clock. Naomi Jo Simcox offers the welcome, with recitations by Bill Wilson Jimmy Simcox Frances Baker and Frances Crawford. Primary and Junior groups perform songs and a play The Goodness of Mercy features including Silent Night saxophone duet by Betty Ballance and Anna Belle Adams. Santa arrives to conclude the event.
Maxine Nichols age 29 of Vernon area died Friday at Greer Hospital Vandalia after living with her husband Robert Nichols of Zion community. Survived by son Rotr Jr., parents Mr and Mrs Jess Walton, one brother and one sister. Funeral at Zion Church Monday officiated by Rev Thomas. Interment Vernon Cemetery.
We express gratitude to all who assisted during illness and death of our loved one. Robert Nichols and son. Mr and Mrs Jess Walton.
We wish to thank all who assisted with weeding our corn and for the ladies for their nice dinner. Wm. Snyder and Wife.
A revival meeting will begin December 26 1938 at the Vernon Pentecostal Church. Rev J A Karr, pastor, invites everyone to attend and join in the services.
Local items include Mrs Barthol Anderson's hospitalization for suspected appendicitis at Vandalia Hospital with possible nonoperative treatment. Labor on a new residence near Mrs Florence Simcox property begins this week. A visit list includes Mrs Gertrude Jones Larmee of Fuerlo Colorado and Mr Mrs His Jones and daughter from Clinton. Community showers honor recent marriage at Wallace Alexander home. Eli Logan visits Flint Michigan. St Louis and Mulberry Grove visitors noted. Holiday mail volume tight at local post office. A Xmas program drew a large crowd at the high school gym. Annabelle and Edith Campbell and Geo Engelmeir visit John Talbert family. other local calls follow Friday visits and Shobonier.
A posted notice by Lloyd Gerrish Farm endorsers James Baker and Gephas Adams prohibits any hunting on lands owned rented or controlled by the farm. The statement asserts a strict no hunting policy across the property.
The Southwestern Oil & Gas Co. No. 21 Benoist well in the Niagaran formation near Patoka taping at 2920 feet and drilled to 2926 feet is shut in awaiting tanks and testing. It flowed 60 to 100 barrels per hour when opened. A second spot lies about 1-4 mile northeast of the Niagaran producer. derrick being erected. Lindsay et al No. 1 Chas. Bowers west of Patoka at 1705 feet was shut Thursday. a deeper test may follow nearby.
Floyd Ross Martin a 56 year old caretaker from Patoka Ill was struck and fatally injured Monday evening about 7 o clock while crossing a street blinded by lights from both directions He died an hour after at a Peoria hospital He is survived by his wife Katherine Faulkin San Jose three children Leo Gertrude Floyd Ross Jr two granddaughters and several relatives Funeral and burial will be in Delavan Ill Thursday at 2 p m He had recently succeeded the prior janitor killed at the same intersection
The Marion County Council of the American Legion met at the Legion Cottage in Centralia with County Commander W. S. Broom presiding. A hundred guests enjoyed Burdette Park films from Evansville, plus a Texas oil field film, musical entertainment by four young performers, and later dancing after a Patoka meeting is planned for January 26.
Patoka shops will shut Monday for Christmas and New Year. Grocery stores stay open till 9 a.m. Elevator closes all day. Social notes mention Mary Peyton of Moneaqua visiting Mrs. Albert Whernsman and Mrs. Cecil Elliott visiting the Hudspeth home before traveling to Calliham, Texas for holidays with Mr. Elliott's family.
Mrs C A Moore spent Thursday in Centralia visiting friends and calling on local residents. Her trip included stops at several shops and a brief stop at the county courthouse.
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