This article was transcribed from The Whittier Boys & Girls Magazine, Jan 1905, Vol. 12, No. 9.
Christmas Day, 1904, is numbered with the past, and Whittier pupils have once more taken up life’s stern duties and struggles with the beginning of another year. But there are many boys and girls at Whittier who will ever remember the Christmas just past as one of the happiest and best days in all their lives. Not that they may not have many other bright and happy days in the years to come – for their opportunities are great to make life a grand success – but the bright California sunshine of that beautiful morning seemed to bring a message of hope and cheer to old and young. The sad and lonely, too, were made to feel that they had friends – kind-hearted folk who are interested enough to send tokens of love and cheer.
Word was passed by the kind-hearted Superintendent that as Christmas came on Sunday this year, he would not prolong anxiety of the children by deferring until Monday the reception of good old Santa Claus, who had abandoned his fleet-footed reindeer at the entrance to Cajon Pass, and would arrive at the State School via the California airship on Saturday evening at 6:30 o’clock. Saturday morning details attended trades and the various other departments as usual, and in the afternoon the true Christmas spirit seemed to pervade as the hour approached when they should behold the great Christmas tree and receive gifts in Assembly Hall. The afternoon was spent in baseball, football and other athletic contests until 5 p.m., the supper hour, after which all needed little urging to don the dress uniform and prepare for the festivities.
Precisely at 6:30, the little tots from Cottage B lined up in front of Assembly Hall, and the doors were opened to receive them, followed by the larger Companies in Main Building. Seated in the foyer were Superintendent Smith, Trustee James Clarke, Miss Annie Smith and Rev. R.H. Bateman, while in the gallery and auditorium were a number of school officers and visitors who had come to see the children in their hour of glee. Over the stage was stretched a banner with the words “Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men.” The stately Christmas tree, decorated in true Christmas custom, was concealed behind the drop curtain during rendition of the program which was carefully arranged by Musical Director Strobridge and Miss M.E. Grippen, instructors in the school. Cadet Fiztpatrick and nine little boys from Cottage B, each representing a letter in the word Christmas, appeared on the stage and recited in turn a verse touching upon the Christmas-tide. Several sweet Christmas carols were rendered by the school, accompanied by full orchestra.
During the course of the entertainment Cadet Harry Croft brought wireless messages from Santa Claus announcing his movements, which marked his aerial flight from the North Pole, via St., Louis, Cajon Pass Garvanza and Riveria, and as Dr. Coffin read the dispatch which indicated Santa’s presence at the neighboring hamlet, interest was aroused to fever heat and the actors and audience were visibly anxious to get through with the program, that they might be ready to receive the distinguished guest.
Just before concluding the program, Dr. Coffin dispatched two small boys for the school carriage, and directed them to proceed in haste to Cottage B, as good natured Santa Claus would probably descend to the home of these little ones first, and it would be a fatal discourtesy if none there were to receive him, and conduct him to the Assembly Hall.
At last the tinkling bells and silvery bugle notes announced the arrival of Old Father Christmas, and all eyes were turned towards the entranceway. A royal welcome awaited Santa Claus. Squads of cadets dressed in the national costumes of the different countries through which Santa has so often traveled, were in waiting to escort him around the assembled Cadets. The procession was headed by Cadet Bethel, as Buster Brown, the ever present Tige. They were the real thing, and Santa Claus joined in the merry laugh as Buster and Tige led the way around the hall and up to the Christmas Tree. Eighteen Cadets, dressed as United States Marines, escorted the Stars and Stripes, and other nations represented were England, France, Mexico, Ireland, China and Japan, and the national flag preceded each contingent. Following the cadets, came Santa Claus in a stately wagon drawn by gnomes. After marching around the hall to the strains of martial music by the school orchestra the procession halted in front of the stage, the guard of honor presented arms and Santa Claus alighted and was given an address of welcome by Dr. Coffin. The curtain being raised, a large Christmas tree, twenty-four feet high, covered with usual tree decorations and illuminated with colored electric lights, was displayed. Santa Claus, represented by C.E. Arfwedson, having made a few remarks, proceeded to distribute the presents to the different companies in turn. In addition to the presents sent the cadets by their parents, friends of the school had provided sufficient funds to purchase useful gifts for every boy so that none could feel that he had been forgotten on this auspicious occasion.
Quite a number of the boys at this institution received gifts from parents and relatives. For the most part these were shoes, fancy hose, neckwear, sleeveholders, suspenders, toilet articles, books, games, athletic paraphernalia, etc. Some were fortunate in receiving many gifts of more or less value, but there was also the sad-faced boy with a far-away look in his eye, as he sat near his more fortunate comrades, and saw them dance with glee as they opened package after package from some loved one who had remembered them this blessed Christmas time. The sweet-meats and little trinkets from strangers were deeply appreciated by the lonely and forsaken ones, but they were a poor substitute for the package that didn’t come from “mother” or “father.”
After all had received a package – every boy in the school received something – companies marched out in order to their respective play rooms, to explore the contents of packages, and freedom was given them to do as they wished for an hour before retiring for the night, a tired but happy lot.
The small boys of Cottage B shared their goody-goodies with “Catalina”, whose first Christmas it was in the State School, and she enjoyed the feast of nuts and candies with as much relish as the youngsters, and demonstrated her appreciation of the festive occasion by frisking about and “butting in” in true goat fashion. “Catalina” is the baby goat brought from the mountains of Santa Catalina Island last August by the small boys of Cottage B, to whom she is deeply attached, and “falls in” with the rest of the company in true military order. In fact she is always present at roll call.
The thanks of officials is tendered through the Magazine to the kind and sympathetic citizens who have so generously contributed cash and gifts, which helped to make this Christmas one of the very best days in the lives of the children.
“Who giveth to My little ones gives also unto Me.”
As is well known, the State has no fund from which to purchase Christmas gifts, and the local officials have to depend upon the public for assistance when Christmas comes. With this article is given a list of contributors to the Whittier gift fund.
Sunday was spent as is customary at the school, but there were specially prepared programs for services in chapel. The tables were provided with seasonable luxuries during Saturday and Sunday, and everything possible made pleasant for all.
The boys showed a spirit of appreciation and good will for all that was done for them, and will long remember the kindness of Superintendent Smith and his assistants for their efforts to make this Christmas a pleasant one.
At the Girls’ Department, which is three-fourths of a mile distant from the Boys’ School, reports indicate that they too had a most delightful Christmas. Following is the story as told by one of the pupils, Maude Cobb:
Christmas at the Girls’ School
My dear readers: Not long ago I wrote a story entitled “My last Christmas in the East,” and I will now endeavor to tell of one of Christmas-tide in Whittier at the Girls’ Department.
A week before Christmas there were preparations being made for this coming event. The girls do not partake of this pleasure quite so early as our worthy teachers, who moved cautiously and quietly through the building to the senior library, which was used as an ark of safety at that secretive time. In our childish glee we would say “Mother, dear, only one peep!” Her response would be a shake of the head with a look that seemed to say, “Happiness will soon be yours.” At last the day before Christmas came, and such a busy family you will seldom find – “busy hands and minds” everywhere. The odor of mince pies, delicious cakes, etc., from the kitchen, the hum of merry voices in halls and rooms that were being decorated, a click of the scissors from the yard where graceful pepper boughs were being cut, made each girl feel in some way responsible for the merriment we were so soon to partake of.
How anxiously we awaited 7:30 o’clock, as that was the hour of the arrival of our guests, Trustee James Clarke, Superintendent Smith and Miss Annie Smith.
After the arrival of our guests we marched to the school room, and the sight that met our eyes was enough to make old and young feel happy. The room was beautifully decorated, tables laden with present from the State, home friends and officers. First came our short program, which consisted of a few recitations, songs and a short pantomime suited to the occasion.
Then the presents were distributed. As Santa Claus wrote us he could not be present, a number of girls assisted in passing the gifts to the rightful owners. And the “Oh!” each exclaimed seemed to be appreciated by the ones who kindly remembered us on this happy Christmas Eve. To prove our gratefulness to our worthy Superintendent, Mr. Smith, we girls presented him with a pearl handle pocket knife, with a card attached, bearing the words “Your Girls”, which we indeed are. After examining our gifts and talking merrily over our well spent evening, we retired at a rather late hour, to dream of our good dinner we were to receive on Christmas day.