Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-12-24

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greatly. The Catholics, I recall, made
much of Christmas The French peo-
pie of my boybood used to have fun on
the ice ut Christmas. They had small.
stunted Canadian ponies, something
like a mustang. and, sitting upon
those. would dash up and down the
grand marshes in high giee. shouting.
yelling and urging on their rat-like
horses. while all the population looked
on In wonder.
BtssErL n BETICENr.
Wilson shannon Bissell. postmaster
general, was born in Oneida county,
and passed his boyhood in Buffalo.
whittier at tho age Of six years he re-
moved with his fathers family.
called on Mr., 1isseli half q dozen times
before could get an audience, such
was the stfess of his extraordinary
business affairs. in connection with the
post Office portfolio,
There isreslly little to say about
my boyhood'sa Christmas,". said Mr..
Bissell. when, finally, the matter was
brought before him. II was boy In
Buffalo. and. rs one of good-sized
family, entered heartily into the joys
and delights of the holiday season.
remember that we used TO get up
Christmas morning, 10 find our presents
on the table: recall that once I re-
ceived flute; our presents were usual
ly modest ones, and none of them
would be considered specially note
worthy"
HoKE SMITH HAD HIGH JTsKs.
Hoke Smith. secretary of the inte-
rior. was born about thirty-nine years
ago, in North Carolina. His father
came from New hampshire, and was
an honornan at Bowdoin college. fifty
years ago. lie then removed TO Balti-
more. where. in the midst of his studies,
his eyesight giving out, on the advice
of his physician he took sea voyage.
Finally. returning. he became the head
of the German Reform college. at
Chapel Hill. y. c., where young Hoke
remained tall he was thirteen years
old; after that Hoke went TO Lincoln
town, N. c.; seventeen years Of age
found him in Georgia, where he began
life as principal in girls high school.
Hoke Smith Is descendant of Michael
Hoke. of York. Pa. from whom he gets
the name about which SO much has
been said. On his mothers side. he Ii
descended from Judges Williams and
Benton of the supreme court Of North
Carolina There have always been
Judges, lawyers and professors In the
Smith family. A fine picture Of Mr..
Smiths father graces the reception
room of his beautiful Washington
house.
These facts concerning Mr.. Smith
are given because they are new, and
because they will assist in understand
ing what class OF people he early 1850
ciated with.
II recall my Christmases with pleas
ure," said Mr. Smith 10 me. In his
library. land may say. to begin with.
that they are among the fondest recol-
lections of my youth. Ny friends and
companions OF that time were the cons
aud daughters of the college.
"Our Christmases were prolonged
into one unccasing round of pleasure
for n week. during which we danced
and sang. and ate. and had q general
good time"
CARLISLE HAD No cHBrsTMAsEs.
Secretary Carlisle. of the treasury.
was born In Kenton county. Ky. In
1885 lie was one of seven children.
His father died when John was fifteen
years old. Then he had TO look out for
himself. which he proceeded 90 do by
teaching school.
Mr.. Carlisle had little 20 say for his
early Christmases In fact. sad ne the
truth Is. in the interest Of history IL
must be recorded that John a. Carlisle
had no Christmsses a. all;
A. the son OF small farmer. he had
20 toll from morning 20 night The
people Of Kenton county were very
poor in those DAYS. and the Carlisle
family were no better situated than
were the majority.
JoHS HrBruT gkFusEr-