The Beckham County newspapers provide a glimpse into the lives of people in 1925, including how they celebrated Christmas. The December 17, 1925, newspapers were full of ads for all manner of Christmas presents. The Diamond C Dry Goods store advertised “Useful and Friendly Gifts to Make the Yuletide Joyous,” including everything from men’s overcoats to “sleepy” and “mamma dolls.” Religious services were on the list of people’s holiday traditions. The First Christian Church planned a program entitled “The True Christmas” for the Sunday evening before Christmas.
If people were not planning to spend Christmas Day at home, they could attend the dog races at the Elk City fairgrounds according to the article “Live Rabbit Races Here Christmas Day” in the Elk City News-Democrat. The article said that the dogs in the race were “among the fastest in the United States.” In addition, if people wanted a Christmas getaway, they could take the Rock Island train to Florida. Tickets were available daily.
In the Southwestern Elk City Press, the local Elks lodge reminded people to consider those less fortunate. The members had raised money to help “widows, orphans, and families in need of sustenance” and asked readers to report the cases of needy people to the B.P.O.E.
While most in Beckham County were celebrating the holidays, the December 17, 1925, issue of The Sayre Journal reminded readers that crime was still occurring. The article “Three Held on Liquor Charges” reported that two men in a new Ford were carrying “eight half gallon jars of corn liquor packed in about five bushels of cotton seed.” Another man was arrested for having “two gallons of ‘fire water’ in his car.” The culprits were being released on $1,000 bonds. Prohibition kept law enforcement officers busy in 1925.
The Sayre Journal marked the season with letters to Santa Claus. Area children expressed their Christmas wishes while declaring that they had been good boys and girls. The boys wanted BB guns and toy cars. The girls wanted dolls, doll clothes, and toy dishes. Many of the children wanted wrist watches. One little girl’s letter was especially poignant. “I would be glad of most anything for Xmas. I am a poor girl. I live on the farm. I have worked hard and tried to be good. I go to Sunday School. I have not started to school yet. I have been snapping cotton. I will close hoping to hear from you soon. Hurry on and don’t forget to come this way.”
The Beckham County Democrat ran an article entitled “Oklahoma News From Over State.” The article reported the “largest cotton crop due. More than 1,300,000 bales ginned in the state up to December 1st, second largest in the U. S.” It was the largest cotton crop that Oklahoma had ever had.
Another article in the Beckham County Democrat reported that Santa Claus would be at the Dixie Store, and children could visit with him and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. The store was also having a pre-inventory sale just in time for Christmas shopping. Another Christmas tradition celebrated in the newspaper was fruit cake. One whole article extolled the sweet treat. However, if baking fruit cake was not on the holiday to-do list, Merritt Bakery had plenty for sale on display in its window.
While times have changed, Christmas traditions remain. Churches still perform holiday programs, and even though toys have evolved, children still write to Santa. Organizations still give to the less fortunate, and fruit cake still graces Christmas tables. May we continue to celebrate Christmas with time-honored traditions.