12/25/2005:
Letters to Santa show Christmas was a bit less commercial back in 1930.
Doris Jean Westmiller, of Underwood, wrote, “Dear Santa, I am a little girl six years old and I’m in the first grade at school. I have tried to be good during the past year so I wish that you would bring me a wrist watch (one that doesn’t run will be all right).”
Maxine Robinson, of Emmet, wrote, “I am eight years old and we are poor folks and there are so many of my brothers and sisters that I would like to have you bring them something they need. My sister wants a pair of shoes and overshoes. We walk two miles to school, so Santa we need good shoes, and my brother wants a pair of mittens. I have three little cousins staying with us and there mother is sick and they would like some new shoes for Christmas. I wish you could bring them some, for they are poor, too. I would like a nice doll and a pair of overshoes, size 13. I wish you and Mrs. Santa a Merry Christmas.”
Source: Bismarck Tribune. Dec 10 & 15, 1930.
Dakota Datebook written by Merry Helm