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125 years ago in 1899, headlines and story transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:
Their Treat. The Scholars of the Mission S.S. Visited by Santa Claus. A Fine Entertainment. And a big Christmas tree loaded with gifts pleased the little folks.
The happiest, jolliest, best behaved assemblage of children that has been seen for many days was that which gathered at the City Mission Friday evening to partake of a Christmas treat prepared for the Sunday school scholars by the ladies of that institution. The crowd in attendance numbered 150 children and although they had been instructed not to present themselves until 7:30 o'clock, the van guard arrived at 6 o'clock and from that time on until 7 o'clock, they arrived in bunches.
While the regular attendance at the Sunday school is about 70, it is evident that each one of that number had passed the word around among their playmates and neighbors that Santa Claus would visit the Mission last evening and they were all there. The crowd was much larger than expected but through the generous liberality of the more fortunate little folks of the city, who contributed toys and books each of those present received a gift.
Prior to the appearance of Santa Claus a series of songs, and recitations was rendered by members of the school. The evening's entertainment was opened with prayer by Mr. Painton, which was followed by a song in which all joined. Little Mabel Thomas then sang a solo and Mary Davis, Blodwin Lewis, Lottie Rogers, Rosa Weaver and Emily O'Brien followed in the order named with recitations.
Mrs. Randolph then gave an exhibition in pantomime, with vocal accompaniment.
Little Helen Musser, a three-year-old tot, sang a song and Minerva Harman, a little six-year-old, gave a recitation. The efforts of each one of the little ones were loudly applauded.
The program, having been completed, Santa Claus made his appearance and unveiled a big, handsomely decorated Christmas tree, covered with articles to be distributed among the children. There were toys and books of all conceivable shapes and sizes which were passed around among the happy-faced little folks, many of whom were the children of parents unable to furnish even the least expensive of toys to brighten their lives on Christmas day. The joy with which these little unfortunates received their gifts from the hands of old Santa can be more easily imagined than described.
After the task of distributing gifts had been accomplished, a quantity of candy and nuts, donated by Mrs. Henry Garlick was passed around, after which the children were dismissed and returned to their homes in the happiest frame of mind imaginable.
The ladies of the Mission desire to extend their sincere thanks to all who contributed in any manner to the success of the occasion and especially the little folks who donated the toys and books in such generous quantity.
- Compiled from the Youngstown Vindicator by Chelsea Hess, Mahoning Valley Historical Society archives assistant.