Simpler times. A simpler list.
In 1929, 9-year-old Johnson City resident Ruby Mitchell wrote to Santa Claus with modest requests. This was, of course, before Christmas lists turned into the expensive, commercialized wishes we know in 2020. There were no smartphones, game consoles, bluetooth headphones and hoverboards to beg Santa to deliver.
No, all Ruby wanted was a few of lifeâs basics and treats. And she made sure her little sister, Queenie, wouldnât go without, either.
Nov. 17, 1929
Dear Santa Claus:
I am a little girl 9 years old and I go to school every day. I am in the second grade, and I go to Sunday school nearly every Sunday. I have got the best teacher ever was; her name is Mrs. Bessie Shell. She never forgets us little girls, and God will bless her, for she is so good to every one. I want you to bring me an umbrella and a pair of shoes and a doll and some oranges and apples, candy, nuts, grapes, and my little sister wants just what I want. So please donâ
Cobb County families in the years 1918 to 1920, just like present day, faced an uncertain and hard Christmas holiday season due to a global pandemic and financial hardships. The world was also still fighting and then recovering from World War I.
Meanwhile, the children of the county looked forward with innocent eyes to the magical arrival of Santa Claus.
Below are some of the letters to the jolly old elf printed by the Cobb County Times that represent this period.
Thursday, Dec. 18, 1919
Dear Santa Claus: I saw in the paper where you wanted every boy and girl in Cobb County to write and tell you what they wanted for Christmas. Well, first of all, I want my Mamma to get well and then I want a pair of cuff buttons for my Papa and I want a new pair of black shoes No. 3 1/2 and I want a new pair of black stockings, a new dress, a big sleepy doll with long curly hair and I guess I wonât ask you for anything else because I donât expect I will get that. So I will close, hoping
Adorable local letters to Santa in 1900
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1954: Santa Clause distributed presents yesterday at a party at Scully Post, American Legion, sponsored by the Association for the Help of Retarded Children and the Albany Elks Club. Santa is Elmer Parker, representing the Elks, and the adult helpers, from left, are Mrs. Marie Van Amerongen, co-chairman; Louis Ramundo, whose orchestra played for the party, and Mrs. Rose Alice McGloine Jr. Unidentified boy at the right was a guest at the party. (Knickerbocker News Staff Photo/Times Union Archive)Knickerbocker News Staff Photo/Times Union Historic ImagesShow MoreShow Less