Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-14
CHILDREN OF HOMESTEAD.
They Write to Santa Claus-SOme Pathetic
Letters Sent by the Little Ones-HoW the
Gfvers Can Brighten Some Firesides in
the UnhanDy Boroupil.

They Write to Santa Claus-SOme Pathetic
Letters Sent by the Little Ones-Hov the
Givers Can Brighten Some Flresides in
the Unhappy Borough.
CHILDREN, are you desirous of bringing
great deal OF happiness to great many
innocent and Unfortunate little souls? 1fso,
the Christmas horizon OF the Homestead
children is dull. very dull, and can be con-
siderably frightened with very littlesrrouble,
and unless some of you are willing to ex-
tend helping hand there will be many a
young heart cast down on the day of all
others when it should be bright and gay.
Do not stop to consider the cause OF their
| misfortune. What does it matter If you
think capital is right, and that their fathers
and older brothers have done wrong? These
children are innocent at all events, and have
been accustomed to happy holidays, which,
| from the present outlook, are bound to DE
the reverse.
There are in Homestead about 1000 school
children, including Protestants and Catho-
| lies; and, strange to say, the attendance so
| far this year has been the best in the history
| OF the town. There are three public schools
of about 400 pupils each, and for the month
| of November the average attendance was
86J and in the parochial schools it was
| equally as good. The WORK of the children
| will compare favornbly with anv of our city
| schools. As to their appearance, saw none
| that looked starved, but the misfortune
| which has been thrust upon them is Begin
ming to tell, and little toes are finding their
way to cold through weIl-worn shoes, and
trousers and coats, in some instances, are
very much in need of patching. But, with it
all, faces and hands are clean, and the
smiles that arise with the thoughts of
| Christmas occasion are in no way indicative
of what their holiday will be, unless aid is
given to them to enjoy it. Great as their
anticipation for good time is to-day, just
so great will be their disappointment when
they find out that Santa Claus does not visit
poverty striken people.
The Sunday schools are going to give their
customary treat, but the attendance is very
small when compared with that OF the pub
lie schools Now don't hastily say that it
| shouldn't be, but continue One of the min
| listers told me that he thought the lack of
clothing kept a great many away, and the
same cause would keep you or me ut home.
Just think, if we hadn't our good clothes for
| Sun day, why, half the enjoyment of life
would be gone. So you see that pride, if the
want of proper clothing may be termed that,
will keep many from enjoying even the Sun
day school box of candy.
During a visit to the Second ward school
| Monday the younger children, at the re-
quest of the superintendent, wrote a letter
| to Santa Claus, asking him to bring them
things and, in many cases, telling him of
the kind of Christmas they expected. In
those letters the true condition of Home
stead is told. Pride among the parents is
keeping a great deal of want in the ba OK
ground, but their children have spoken from
their hearts to their friend Kris Kingle.
| Reac; they will tell the story better than 1:
HOMESTEAD. Dec. Il, 1897.
DEAR SANTA CLAUS-There has been trouble in
| Homestead. and am afraid you will forget us. /
little boy and sell papers. Please dou't forget
us.
TO keep our living. Ny papa is not work
ing in the mill Please send my brothers
| Der us. Goodbye Santa Claus; that is all to-day.
HOMESTEAD, PA, Dec. 12. 1892.
DEAR S ,NTA CLAUs-We have been on strike
and please send us what yon can. My papa has not
| been working for a long ime.
HOMESTEAD. PA. Dec. 12rh 1852.
| DEAR SANTA CLUsE-We have had trouble in
Homestead and would like you to not forget any
body as most of them are getting poor.
| HOMESTEAD, Pa. Dec. 18th. 1892
| DEAR SANTA CLUss-You are kind man. 1
place Dear Santa Cluss bring me some gum boots
and then don't want nothing more this year.
HOMESTEAD. Pa. Dec 12 1892.
| DEAR SANTA CLAUS-The people in Homestead
Dan trOuDle ana LnelT u ROOu many out OI WOrk
gum boots and a suit of clothes and story book.
FIFTH AVE. HOMESTEAD, PA.
Dec. II. 1892.
DEAR sANTA-Arc you coming to our house a
Christmas- would like for you TO.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, Dec. u, 1892.
DEAR SANTA-I would like you to bring me ring
and nice cup and saucer and nuts Santa i think
| girls as THAR fathers are not working and don't
| think they will see you.
HOMESTEAD, Pa. Dec. II 1892.
DEAR sANTE-My papa is out of work and two
| ont of WORK since 6 of July and am thinking we
| shall have poor time L sometimes work 1T the
| brickyard.
FOURTH AVENUE, Dec r. 1892.
DEAR SANTA CLAUs-It is very bad time here
now. don't think It viii soon be better. / want
you to come to our house Christmas time.
HOMES TEAD, PA, Dec. 18th, 1892.
DEAR SANTA CLAUs-I want a suit. Homestead
has been strike fore four months and there has
been lots OF trouble.
HOMESTEAD, PA.
pair of gum boots. went to know If you will. 1
think you will. You are n nice old man. the men
in Homestead have been on the strike and they
have had trouble. The men have had no work for
long time.
HOMESTEAD, PA.
Homestead The people are so poor that they are
poor that they cannot buy their children clothes
to were. Ihope you will not forget US.
HOMESTEAD, Pa.
DEAR SAyTA-They are ]. 800 men out of work
and they are starving. The relief man went around
and asked If thev needed anything TO eat There
was u little baby died and they had not enough
money 10 buy coffin and had to burrie 1t In box.
Please send me story book. not want much tbs
year, but If you will bring me the story book
guess will close.
The parents OF the children who wrote the
two following letters are at work in the mill.
HOMESTEAD. Pa, Dec. II 1892
DEAR SANTA--It is only two weeks till Christ
mas. 1 90 to school every day. My papa is work
ing at the mill. know you will bring me u sled,
wagon and some candy. want you TO bring my
mother 4 knife and fork.
HIsEL STREET. HOMESTEAD, PA.
DEAR SANTA CLAUS-l go to SCHOOL, every day
and like my teacher very much. am in the sec
ond reader and am in the class. want you to
bring me a pair of bpots. ring. doll. doll
buggy oranges and candy. have no brothers or
sisters. My papa works in the mill. expect you
at our house this Christmas. 1t Is only two weeks
until Christmas. will be glad when Christmas.
These letters were picked at random from
about 800. At least $50 Of them asked for
oIotlao ~ ahoaa their