The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-03-27
HOW OLD SANTA CLAUS
VISITED THE INDIAN CHILDREN IN
IDAHO.
Fort Hail Pupils Give Evidence of
Encouraging Progress in the
Science of Words.

Pittsburg Chronicle Telegraph published
an appeal for books and toys for the In
dian children in the government school at
Fort Hall, Idaho. The responses to the
appeal were prompt and generous, and at
the proper time Mr.. W. H. Stehley, who
took charge of the donations, forwarded
to Fort Hall a box containing nearly $50
which had been contributed. The Christ
mas box arrived at ats destination in good
order and an Acknowledgements was soon /
thereafter received from Miss Mary G.
Ramsey, one OF the teachers. In her let
ter she said that some Of the scholars |
were writing letters of thanks and 1t was |
decided to withhold the epistles until all |
had been received. Miss Ramsey writes !
as follows:
when 1t was whispered around that |
Santa Claus would certainly remember
the red children Of Fort Hall school, there
was little use in trying to get on with
lessons, work or even play. White chill
dren could not have been more excited.
Every faint noise was listened to with al
most painful intentness, as If expecting
that kind old Saint would drop right in
among them. Yet no doubt If he had done
so 1t would have taken the whole force
OF employees of the school to check the
l
Oned children. He did not visit US per-
sonally; the thermometer came too near
being frozen up, and so he was frozen
out, but we were not forgotten, for he
sent box by fast express. 1t took but
a short time to find out the contents of
| that box and words can not express the
delight and happiness depicted in their
| little faces as a pretty book was given
this one and toy of some kind to that
one.
1.-THE contents Of that box was the 10
days wonder Of the school. The employees
| of the school came and gazed on it in
wonder and admiration. The box contain
ed enough without anything else to sup
ply every child on the place with two or
more nice little presents"
| The Letters.
Some of the letters received by Mr..
Stehley are from the pupils in the inter
mediate and higher grades, and are as
follows:
IT thought / would write to you and tell
you that we had a nice Christmas tree,
and If 1t was not for you don't think
1t would have been half so nice as it was.
think it was very kind in you to send
those Christmas presents to US, when we
were not expecting them. May God bless
The teachers are very kind to us here,
and we like them very much. I like to
study and love my books. only go to
school half a day and work the other
half. have been in school seven or eight
years. am about IA or Is years old. 1
have three sisters and three brothers. 1
recite next to the highest class in the
school. Very respectfully,
"LOTTIE GEORGE"
I'VE had a very good Christmas here.
All the children had presents on the tree.
1 had two dolls and one card and a neck
tie for my presents. 1 wish you would tell
those folks over there that we are so
thankful for the presents. We had a nice
time New Years day. We had some
candies and apples and nuts. am going
to ask my mother for some buckskins,
and so I can make something for you.
How are the people over there getting
along? 1 hope they had Christmas there
I am in the third reader now. I read with
two boys and three girls. We are all try
ing to do right. Miss Ramsey is so kind
to us, and am trying to be a good girl
Yours truly, LELAH COOMBs."
I'VE had a merry Christmas. All the
children had presents on the tree. 1 had
a handkerchief and two dolls and one
card. wish you would please tell those
nice people how thankfully we were to
get the presents. The children never go
to school for two weeks during holidays
We are having good time this year. l
was in school five years. I am 10 years
old. There are 6S boys and 81 girls in
school. learned a whole lot of things
this year than did last. don't feel
like going home vacation. Yours truly,
EMMA SHOCKS"
Il am glad to write a letter to you, and
am glad to hear you was yet we'll
am going to write about what had on
the Christmas tree, and got a mouth
harp and a pencil and gave my sister
some candy, and my sister gave a ball
and 1 have a mice, and I got bug that
has six lags Qegs) on each side, and his
lags Qegs) was blue and his back was red +;
and my sister had a little doll. have a
nice time with my friend. Very respect
fully, ARTHUR WASHINGTON"
I had nice time Chistmas. We had
Christmas tree, and all the children got
a present on the tree, and 1 got horse
and cart. I eat candy and apples. /
must close. Very respectfully.
DANIEL BRONCHO."
I'VE had a good time here Christmas l
got money bank and some candy and
nuts, a orange. go to school all day
now. We are through the third reader.
We had a good dinner here Christmas
day. We had turkey to eat. will try to
send you picture of myself whenever I
get 1t. Please send me picture of your
self Some OF the boys and girls have
been sick and some are sick now 1 am
good boy now. Sometimes 1 wrestle
with some of the boys. Miss Ramsey is
kind to us. got those handkerchiefs. 1
think they are very nice and thank you
for them. Hoping to hear from you, from
your little friend,
CLARENCE RAINEY."
81 had a nice time Christmas. We had
Christmas tree, and all the children got
a present on the tree. I had mouth harp
and nice card and handkerchief. 1 want
you please to thank ali those nice folks
for thinking to send us something for
Christmas. I must close. Yours truly.
JOSEPH THORPE"
"I had a nice time Christmas We had