Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1902-12-31
CAMP VERDE NEWS
Budget of Christmas News and DOings from the Green Valley
 in Eastern Yayapai.
Public Schools Unite in Entertain ments Interesting Session
 of Literary Society.

The past week has been un- usually full of pleasant events, which, with the fine weather, has made the Xmas season a happy one for all. The trouble began at the new stone church in the Clear Creek dis trict on Wednesday evening when the lower Verde, or Squaw Peak school, under Miss Pebble, combined with the Clear Creek school, under Miss Whitecotton, in a school entertain ment and Christmas tree. A long but
 interesting program was given follow ed by the distribution of presents by Santa Claus and Mother Goose, assist ed by the young ladies. The house was packed for the first time in it's history.
 On Christmas night the ladies of Camp Verde gave an entertainment and Christmas tree, which was an unqualified success. The assistance of an unusually large and efficient aggregation of musical talent now residing in and around this point added considerable tone to this occa- sion. The choruses were accompanied by an orchestra consisting of Mrs. Palmer, wife of Dr. Palmer, and Ben Eimen, violins, and Mrs. Ben Eimen, viola, and Mrs. Eimen, ST., organ; all musicians of more than ordinary ability, and equipped with splendid instruments. This locality has been afflicted, and at times even cursed with fiddlers, and the advent of some really good violin players is indeed treat to those who love and appreciate good music.
 As an illustration of the cosmopol- itan nature of our population it is quite interesting to note that in chorus of at least fifteen people there was not more than one or two couples from the same state. On Friday night the Literary society held a very interesting and profitable ses- sion, which in spite of the fact that many of the people were more or less wearied as a result of the Christmas festivities, was highly appreciated by those present. The crowd was somewhat smaller than that of the previous meeting, probably owing to the fact that many who would other wise have been present danced all night on the previous night. A few years ago someone quoted Cicero as saying ''That only fools and bar barians dance.'' At which some of the inhabitants of this vicinity were exceedingly wroth. suppose it was on the principal that hit bird fiut- ters. I have noticed that our Indian barbarians dance all night, but always excused them on the ground that they had no better sense. The question of dancing is a debatable one, but the question of keeping young girls just coming into woman hood, on dancing floor all night Is
 not, and until the custom is aban- doned I see but one course for sensi- ble people to pursue, viz. to utterly ignore this form of amusement, and if they have any regard for the future welfare of their children and the com munity in general they will do so.
 The program of the society for Jan uary 9, promises to be one of more than usual interest as it will be entirely musical. Most of the songs will be old favorites, familiar to all, with instrumental music. A collection will be taken on that occasion for the benefit of our public library. c. V. R.