New-York tribune., 1889-12-31
CHRISTMAS TREE ACCrDENr

The Tribune is greved to see that the popular
and heretofore harmless institution known as n
Christmas tree should be the cause OF any trouble
The generally received idea of the Christmas tree
has been that it is highly respectable species of
vegetation bearing, to be sure, decidedly eclectic
fruit, but which could be depended on to bring
only happiness to those participating in the fes-
tiyities incident 10 It's exhibition. But if tele-
graphic dispatches speak truth, u seems that 10
is just as important, sometimes, 20 90 prepared
when attending a Christmas tree as when drop
ping in on a quiet little wedding in Rowan
County, Kentucky.
The dangerous nature Of the Christmas tree has
just been illustrated at Eagle Creek, H., near
Shawneetown. In the words Of. the dispatch,
chairs, clubs, knives and pistols" were freely
used and it is probable that the affair would have
resulted in serious bloodshcd had not Colonel
Sandy McCracken, the postmaster, climbed tho
tree seized a shotgun from the top branches put
on for Deacon White, got the drop" on the
whole crowd and ordered quiet. AS it was,
number of prominent citizens were injured, but
no ore seriously
The unfortunate occurrence came about in this
way The tree, large pine was erected in the
leading church of the village, the pulpit being re-
moved TO make room for it, Nearly every one in
church was crowded and tie tree loaded down
with toys and playthngs for the children and
more substantial gifts for the older people The
proceedings were opened with prayer and singing
by the Eagle Creek Gce Club While these ex-
ercses were going on a member of the committee
having in charge the placing of the presents on
the tree discovered TO bis horror that large
number of the tags, on which were written the
names Of the persons the presents intended
for, had fallen of. There was no time for any
elaborate rcadjusting, hastily gathering up the
tags the committee put them back the best way
they could, only observing the precauton to put
but tag on each present. The glcc club sat
down amid loud applause and Mr.. a. c.
Bronson, the superintendent Of the Sunday
school, arose and began the distribution of the
presents.
The first thing taken from the tree was a
heavy gold-hcaded cane, and it went to Master
Willie Tucker. Master Willie is five years of
age, and though he seemed reasonably well
pleased with the cane it would have been much
more suitable for Uncle Abner Parsons. for whom
it intended, vino will he eighty-four next
March, and walks with some difficulty. However,
Uncle Abner was soon consolcd with a blue tin
horse with a red pumpkin-seed tail, and later
on with a fine pair of nickel plated rollcr-skatcs
People speedily suspected that something was
wrong, but few had proof of it, and the dis
tribution went on. Miss Minnie Morris. beau
tiful and accomplished young lady who teaches
in the Sunday-sclool, was astOnlshed to receive
a fine meerschaum pipe while her younger sister
got heavy pair of boots, number tens, which
were intended for Abe Hammond who works in
a sawmill Professor Moore the digniied teacher
of the village school, fortunate as to get
-.
flask while the pastor the Reverend Mr.. IIar-
ward, got a rattle-boX and a poker set Baby
Lathrop was given an early sta t along the
lowery path of literature with q set of Shakes
peare's works, while poor Uncle Abner was again
singled out and presented with pair Of boxing
cloves Much curiosity had been expressed as
TO whom fine livcr-colored pointer dog. which
was tied to one Of the lower limbs of the tree,
was for, but there were howls of derison when
il was read off" to Mrs. Abbe Jones, dear
old lady over sixty years Of age. Still the crowd
was paticnt till a hand-sed was given TO boy
named Whittemorc, and man named johnson
got ND and announced that the sled was one he
had nut on for his own little boy. He snatchcd
the sled and smashed it over the head of the
poor superintendent who was presenting the
things and shouted that he was from away up
Eagle Creek, and could whip any Sunday school
teacher in Illinois. The superintendent fell back
little. but speedily rallied, and replied In
loud voice that he lived farther up the Creek
than johnson, and was ready for him. The
Young man who should have got the poker set
drew his pistol and began to shoot The windows
were opened and the children dropped out and
n general free fight began, when, as narrated
before. Colonel McCracken scrambled up the tree,
seized the shotgun intended for Deacon White,
and resting it across limb demanded order.
The turmoil gradually ceased, and the Colonel
came down The rest of the night was spent
in straiobtening out matters, and by morning
each had the presents intended for HIM or her
The Tribune desires to congratulate the good
ncopc of Eagle Creek the fact that the
tronble was 10 worse than it was, and to express
the hope that the hanging committee VIII exercise
greater care next year
We make our compliments to Corporal Christian
N