View from the Past

100 Years Ago

“Dear Editor, I am eight years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus? Signed Virginia O’Hanlon “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. Is it real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world, there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! He lives and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay ten times, ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the hearts of childhood.”

Excerpt from the Churchill County Eagle, Saturday, December 18, 1915

Santa Claus is here! All the latest in Christmas novelties…gift goods galore…Bring in the “kiddies” and let them revel in our “Toy Town” at People Bros. in Fallon…For sale: Mammoth Bronze Turkeys, from 45lb. toms to 28lb. hens; prize winners from Boston show and also Madison Square. Price $5 for hens and $7 for toms.

Churchill County Eagle Saturday, December 18, 1915

75 Years Ago

Shouts of delighted amazement came from about forty youngsters when Santa Claus slid through the imitation fireplace into the room at Sheckler schoolhouse lighted by only two candles on the mantelpiece. The clock said 12 o’clock about two hours fast, stockings hung in readiness. Through the door came a reindeer and a sled loaded with bags of candy for all…Tonight the newly organized town band under the direction of L.C. Vance is to make its first appearance.

The Fallon Standard, Wednesday, December 25, 1940 (as of Tuesday, December 24)

50 Years Ago

I am PFC Earl Watts, Jr. of Fallon. I am 18 years old and serving in DaNang, Vietnam. I want to ask a very big favor of our Fallonites. Here in DaNang is an orphanage that is over filled with tiny babies from 6 weeks old to 16 years old. In charge of the orphanage is a very deserving woman and her name is Mother Superior. She has the big task of providing for 200 orphans. I want to call on our Fallonites for any used clothing, any types of medicines and soap. If any of these are not available, a small contribution of 10 cents or any amount from each home would help these orphans. These orphans have nothing – we have everything. What do you say we all pitch in? Let’s show the good Vietnamese people just how great our American way is. OK? Thank you very much, PFC Earl Watts, Jr. Fallon Eagle-Standard, Friday, December 24, 1965

Merry Christmas to All from the Fallon Eagle-Standard!

A View From The Past…stories from the Churchill County Museum & Archives, researched and compiled by Margo Weldy, Churchill County Museum Assistant and Dwen Davis, Churchill County Museum Intern.