Arizona republican., 1899-12-25
CHRISTMAS IN BIG BUG
Santa Claus Arrived There Two Days
 Ahead of Time.

| l Correspondence of The Republican.)- Santa Claus arranged his dates so as i to arrive at Big Bug creek two days i ahead of time. He did this purpOsely, and to accommodate the school teach CT of the camp, Miss Clay Henshaw, Phoenix young lady. Miss Henshaw had previously won all the miners in the camp, and it is not strange that Santa Claus succumbed to her charms ! and slid down off the Bradshaws a couple of days before the schedule time. He really could not wait for ] Christmas eve to come, and besides, Miss Henshaw wished to leave the camp in time to spend the Christmas l with her parents in Phoenix.
 There was excitement the entire cngth of the creek as I rode into camp fast night. Miners were bringing their families down the trails from their homes perched on the mountain side. The lanterns which they carried threw gigantic shadows across the gulch and my horse was in a constant state of terror. It was with difficulty that I ever reached the camp at all. The miners were coming down from their homes to attend the Christmas festivi- ties, and the gulch rang out joyous echoes as the young rushed toward the school house yelling their ovation to Santa Claus. On the road were miners dressed in their best togs, who formed portion of the procession that moved toward the school house. Everywhere were figures moving in the dark and my bronco tried to recognize each shadow with a toss of his body that wopld be called bucking in some coun- trls.
 Hurrah for Santa Claus." yelled the kids, and each one tried to make as much noise as he could so that Santa Claus would have no trouble in locat- ing Big Bug creek. The little fellows ran up and down the narrow street of the camp, soaring the horses and mak- ing the dogs bark. Santa Claus was due at o'clock, and there were number of trails that might take him past the school house. The kids were determined that he should not escape, and the echoes of the gulches repeated the sounds and sent them over the hills and snow banks as if they, too, were lending their powers to attract the white whiskered man and his fleet footed four-in- hand reindeers.
 The snow on the mountains the whistling of the wind in the pines, and the cold made it seem like Christmas eve. All that was needed to complete the night was the presence of Santa Claus. As l rode into camp the kids thought l was he. 1 am not surprised that my horse was mistaken for a reindeer, for he pranced eXcitedly as the band of boys approached. At the one restaurant in the camp I was in- formed that could not get supper be- cause the cook and waiter were making preparations to attend the "doings'' at the school house. I tried to bribe the cook, but she was true to her Santa Claus. l asked a miner where I could find place to eat and sleep and he said if I would come around after the Christmas tree was unloaded he would tell me. The corral man was finish ing his nights work early, but he kindly made room for my horse and directed me to a store where T might get a lunch of sardines and crackers. The storekeeper's wife was a kind lady and she made a pot of tea to go with the meal and take away the chill
 
 As sat down to eat there was a re- newal of the ovation to santa Claus outside. and presently Deputy Sheriff Johns rode into camp. His great mus tache was white with frost and snow chung to his spurs and boots. The snow had drifted in the trail on the mountain, and the deputy sheriff had Go get down the mountain side the best he could. He came just in time and We enjoyed the store" meal together. 1 asked the deputy sheriff where he was going to sleep and he said that was the least of his troubles, for he knew where there was a stack of hay. I found that there was not a bed in the camp that was not taken, and l made up my mind to follow Deputy Sheriff Johns to the haystack he had located.
 The big school house was filled with miners and their families, and the wooden benches were crowded soon af- ter the doors of the house were thrown open to the visitors. The little ones who were to take part in the entertain ment were seated on the front benches. As the dcor opened every one turned to see who the newcomer was, for Santa Claus was expected at any mo ment and there was d great deal of suppressed excitement. Sometimes it broke out in loud whispering as some little fellow discovered a drum hid den in the branches of the big Christ mas tree which took up a large portion of the room. A clock hanging on the wall was set to ring an alarm at 8