davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10
How the Men Who Are Fighting Spend
Christmas, and How for Time the
Soldiers ofthe Warning Nations For
get That They Are Enemies.
copyright lal5 By rhe In.ernational snyalea.e

EACB on earth. good will to
men," Ia heard all over Chris
tendon on Christmas morning.
and the spirit OF charity it
teaches Ia not without its influence
even among those who may seem to
hats each other
The Christmas of 1915 will ind
Europe as 1t did in 1s14--an armed
lamp, the only difference between the
lays will be that millions OF killed and
&oSnded have been offered up as a
sIacrii.ce to tie lust of power during
The year and yet whatever bitterness
aud hatred there may be among those
sengaged In this terrible confict, II
there Is any personal bitterness or
hatred, viii probably be forgotten and
the day celebrated as it was last year
by the men themselves declaring a
truce and fraternizing with each 9TH
ar on the ground before the trenches.
While much has been written of life
I'm tie underground dens where men
have buryowed like rats into the earth
20 esospe tbs guns Of the enemy and
yct DO able tc pick OF this same enemy
Mt Will, these accounts show that there
- uttls tRas II picturesque or r0rzntic
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10

clothing. Hundreds of cases of milk
were sent by friends. An English
dairy made specially of sending milk
to the trenches for Christmas and one
might send as few as half a dozen
quart bottles, so even the poorest
woman was able to send her son milk
for Christmas
Germans And English Fraternize.
At several points where the trenches
Of the Germans and English were not
far apart the Germans began to talk
peace and good will among themselves.
. After ALL" they said, "our enemies
are but fighting for the land they love
as we are, and why should we not for
get our differences and on this BIRTH
day of the Son of Man give greeting to
our enemies" This feeling brought
about Christmas scenes on the battle
fields Of Europe which seems almost
incredible. A number OF English war
correspondents witnessed the incidents
and sent reports to their respective
newspapers.
After the Germans had trimmed
their Christmas trees and set up Ian
terms they came out of their trenches
bearing flag of truce and invited the
English to stop shooting and come
over and celebrate Christmas. With
one accord the invitation was accepted
and truce for the night arranged.
Then officers and men from both sides
left their trenches and met on mo
Mans Land where as rule no man
dares to show SO much as the top of
his head. It was decided that each
side would first bury their dead. and
while the English were engaged In
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10

this sad duty a party Of Germans
brought over the body Of an English
officer who had been killed in front
Of their trenches and deposited 1t rev.
erently on the ground before some OF
his regiment, after which they went
back to attend to the burial Of their
own dead When this last tribute to
comrades was completed the Germans
brought out cigars and cigarettes and
shooting at each other danced around
arm in arm wishing each other the
compliments of the season They even
made addresses to each other on the
subject of Christmas which were in
terpreted by q young German soldier
who had lived In the United States.
This particular regiment was COM
posed of Saxons-big, merry fellows
who made the English laugh at their
pranks. AS the day wore on the SOL
diers Joined In q rabbit hunt, and
later there was football match which
was won by the Germans. After
a while they exchanged hats and I'm
ally as a compliment to the Germans
the English sang Deutschland Uber
Alles," and the Germans, not to be out
done, gave a rendition Of God Save
the King" After It was all over the
men of both sides declared that they
were agreeably surprised to find their
enemies such a decent lot Of fellows.
Toward night the men got back into
the trenches. and early on the twenty
sixth the firing began again.
French And German Meet On
Common Ground.
The French and Germans. too. ex-
changed Christmas greetings. but 1t
with the English. At one place where
1t is said that the trenches were only
about eighty yards apart the Germans
asked their French opponents to de-
clare truce on Christmas Eve to bury
the dead. The French accepted, and
came out of their trenches carrying
shovels. The Germans went over the
line offering cigars and cigarettes with
the compliments of the season. At
first the French feared a surprise, but
after a French corporal had shaken
hands with a big German there were
salutes and good wishes. Then the
dead were buried and the men re-
turned to their trenches. For a time
all was SILENT" wrote one OF the men,
then we began to try to kill each
other again. and the man who offered
the first box Of cigars to a French
soldier fell dead beside me-but, after
all. II was q bit Of Christmas" ~
During the coming holidays 1t Is ex-
pected that these same scenes will be
repeated, and it may be that in the
meetings little prayer for the ending
of the carnage may be said and that
ere long the Angel of Peace may
spread her white wings over the men
in the trenches and make the Christ
mas theme of Peace on earth, good
will to men" q full reality to all the
world.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10

Gems offered gifts to each other during
the January Kalends. but when the
Feast Of the Nativity was hallowed By
the Church the giving OF gifts was
changed to Christmas as the appro-
pirate time for sending presents. for
did not the Three Wise Men bring
gifts to the Child in the Manager. and
was not this Child the GIFT Of God to
the human race?
Even Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus
as he is known in this country. has
wandered away from his own feast day,
December sixth. to please the children
and help their parents to reward thu
good boys and girls OF the land. He
Is the patron saint OF the child and is
supposed to bring sweets to the good
children and rods for the bad ones.
However. during the present age he
seems to reward them all. His part In
the Christmas festival originated In
Holland several centuries ago. when
he became a part OF Christmas and IL
was the Dutch emigrant who brought
him to the United States. The body
Of the real st. Nicholas rests in the
magnificent church at Bari. italy. and
Is a famous place OF pilgrimage for
children.
| It was not strange that at that sea-
son when everyone was filed with
good cheer and kindly feeling for 9TH
ers that the thoughts of those who had
plenty should turn towards the poor
and needy. So early in the days of
these Christmas festivities the custom
sprung VI of sending gifts to those in
want such gifts as would best minister
to their necessities and happiness and
make them feel that the true Christian
spirit was abroad in the land and that
the message of love and charity which
Christ brought to mankind was not
forgotten, and as far back a. the tenth
century Christmas dinners were pro-
yided for the poor-a forerunner Of
the feasts given to the unfortunate
today.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10

175zGz3 Asz1511~y1DS9 [are G&7lo1~Ne0
K<s0U s27Az.l~z5vy
How Our Christmas Customs Came
About Their Curious. Mixture
of Paganism and Religion.
IRAN A1 Nz22~a



practiced by the ancient Germans and
Scandinavians-a strange medley of
the Christian and pagan which go to
make up the festivities of the modern
Christmas
The YuIe Log.
The Yule log, so famous in the Eng
lish Christmas celebration, is of Scam
dinavian origin, and Is the modern
idea Of the huge fire kindled at the
feast of JUL at the winter solstice in
honor of their god Thor. In the days
of feudal lords of England the cere-
mony Of bringing in the huge. gnarled
oak was carried out with great cere-
mony. Men went into the woods and
hauled it in, singing carols as they
dragged it through the wood. When
they reached the entrance to the great
hall a quartette of MINISTRIES hailed 1t
with music. Early the next morning
1t was lighted and If it burned we'll Ii
was. and Is still, regarded as an omen
that prosperity will reign over the
family during the coming year. In
rural France and among the southern
Siavs the Yule log is one of the solemn
ceremonies of Christmas. In these
countries. especially among the Slavs.
the log is believed to possess the same
magical properties as it did in the
pagan days.
Decorations With Evergreen.
The custom of decorating our houses
and churches with evergreen at
Christmas comes from the old Roman
feasts, especially the Saturnalia, when
all Roman houses were turned into
Blowers of green"-another evidence
of the anxiety of the Church to please
their heather converts by permitting
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10
trench fighters life
Germans Celebrate.

trench fighters life
Germans Celebrate.
Those who are acquainted with the
German people know that wherever
German happens to be at Christmas
he will find some way to celebrate the
festival, and the German soldier in the
trench is no exception, for he Is al
ready gathering In the pine branches
to decorate his underground quarters.
Last year, although the weather was
bitter. the men managed to bring
Christmas cheer into the very theatre
OF war by actually setting UP Christ
mas trees in the trenches and deco
rating them with bright colored bands
and ribbons taken from the cigars
and cigarettes which had been sent to
them Every scrap of colored paper
that could be found was utilized, and
according to a letter from a German
soldier to his mother. one tree was
decorated with paper chickens made
from the colored papers that had been
wrapped around the candy kisses
sent from home. Boxes of German
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10


~ HE origin of Christmas and by
whom 1t was celebrated is to a
certain extent shrouded In mys-
terry, and 1t is by no means cer-
tain that December the twenty-fifth Is
the correct anniversary of the nativity
OF Christ. This uncertainty is due to
the fact that In the early days the cele-
bration of birthdays was regarded as
heathenish. but after the triumph of
Christianity the prejudice died out and
the date of the Saviour's birth became
matter Of ecclesiastical Investigation.
I It's recorded that Pope Julius had St
Cyril make strict inquiry as to the
date, when 1t was learned that a num-
Der OF varying days were kept in differ
emit SECTIONS. These included January
the sixth, which was kept as a Joint
commemoratton of the Nativity and
Baptism of the Redeemer. March
twenty -ninth, April twentieth, May
twentieth and September twenty ninth
were respectively accepted in different
places. Pope Julius finally decided on
December the twenty fifth as the COR
rect date. and the first mention of it's
celebration as the birthday Of Christ
occurs In Roman document known
az the Philocalian Calendar, dating
from the. year 364s 1t is the opinion
of several Church historians that this
day was set apart because it was the
date Of the Winter solstice-the day
on which for centuries before the
Christian Era pagan Europe had held
its chief festival.
Some Of our present day Christmas
customs are the evolution of mixture
of the Roman Saturnalia and Druid
rites. with smattering of ceremonies
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10

about trench warfare. Last winter
nerve racked men lived for days in
muddy bitches wondering how much
longer 1t would last-this awful
slaughter of men, this terrifying COM
bat of long opposing lines OF heavy
artillery and howitzers, the shrieking
OF shell. the whistling of shrapnel and
the tearing roar of guns. the. savage
efforts to take and retake trenches
with always the slaughter OF brave
men.
Gifts For Men In The Trenches.
When there is a lull In the fighting
trench life is even worse than when
there is firing, for the monotony of
idleness so works upon their nerves
that every bush or tree becomes an
imaginary enemy, the cracking of a
twig, the signing Of the wind or the
moan of sleeping soldier will set
their nerves ajingle Cheer up. boys.
Christmas will soon be here and we
will have all sorts of good things!"
cries out one of the men as he looks
ct his comrades wan face, and the
two begin to talk of the coming fes-
tivaf as the one bright spot in the
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10
Carols.

Amid so many popular customs at
Christmas there is none more charm
ing than that Of the Christmas carols
which celebrate in joyous yet devout
strains the Nativity of the Saviour.
The word is derived from the Latin
cantare-to sing, and roIa-an ex-
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-10

written in the year 1906. "At Christ
mas" he writes, they set up fir trees
in the parlours at Strasburg and hang
thereon roses cut out of many col
CURED paper. apples. waters and
sweets"
However, in an account of Christ
mas customs writtenAn 1897 by a Ger
man student, he speaks of the candles
which Illuminated the tree. Here
again we must go back to the pagan
days in Norway when the Yule candle
was burned for the god Thor at the
winter solstice. Later, when these
people began to celebrate the Nativity
the candles were burned as of old, but
called the Candles of Publication.
Quite recently there has been a re-
vival of the Christmas candle custom,
and today it is no uncommon sight to
see the windows of houses lighted by
them on christmas night. The fash
ion of sending bayberry candles is in
vogue, and this year thousands of
these olive green candles will be sent
out as gifts They are made from a
berry which grows on the Atlantic
Coast from Massachusetts, to the Caro-
linas and have delicate odor. burn
ing without making ridges of wax
down the sides. A bayberry candle is
said to protect its owner from all
harm if it is lighted on Christmas. AS
the legend runs, it's incense will be
waited through the air to friends in
distantafands and thus their thoughts
will turn to the far away owner of the
Publication Candle
Carols.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22
W. r. Todd Elected
G. A. R. State Head
COmmander-in-Chief David
Palmer Visits Scenes Of
Old Atlanta Battles.

Atlanta, Ga. March 20.-W. R.
Todd, of Fitzgerald, was chosen
commander of the Georgia depart
ment, Grand Army of the Republic,
at the annual encampment held here
yesterday, whe n Commander-in-
Chief David j. Palmer, of Iowa, wa
present for an inspection of the work
of the division. Mr.. Todd succeeds
|. C. Wade, of Cornelia.
General Palmer came to Atlanta
just fifty years ago as commander
of regiment of General WI. Sher-
mans army, which mace the men,
orable march to the sea. He visited
old scenes during the day which he
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22
Col. U. ]. Bennett
And Prof. Mathews
Librarians Sunday

From three to six Sunday after
noon a large number Of young
people took advantage of the
Library privileges. The daily
papers and Magazines were a
favorite with the children, altho
there were not quite enough to go
round. The limited supply of
books, of which there are already
over a thousand, had taxed the
Librarian during the week to
satisfy the great demand for
good reading and the popularity
of the library is practically estab
lished, judging from the many
demands upon it. Miss Smith,
the efficient librarian says that
the demand for good books far
exceed the opening demands
made upon Libraries in cities
similarly situated. Over a thous-
and new volumes are expected
within the next two weeks,
which will add largely to the
value of the institution. The
Woman's Club has ordered a set
of the latest edition Of a twenty
four volume encyclopedia, as one
of their contributions to the Lii
brary. The Set will cost $4,000.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22
''San TOx" Hair Tonic is
good. 1t produces results.
National Drug Co.

Geo. Reed, Carl Fellers, Reason
Paulk anc Rufus Smith motored to
Ashburn Sunday.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22

Mr.. and Mrs. A. S. Dorminey
went up to the Capital to spend
a few days.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22
Notice

To the Farmers of Ben Hill
and surrounding counties, we
wish to announce that we have
an up-to-date thrashing outfit
and are prepared to meet the de-
mands of the public in that line.
For information, write or phone,
Butts & Raby.
R. 0. BUTTS, Phone 1l4L.
Route No. 2, Box 20.
R. 0. RABY, Phone 536, City.
m-22-2taW I'm
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22

visited fifty years ago, and pointed
out to party of Grand Army of
the Republic veterans who accom-
panied him on his tour some of the
locations where history was made.
Accompanied by his wife and
several Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie veterans from south Georgia,
General Palmer will leave tonight
for Florida to inspect the Florida
department.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22
Seed Corn

Whatley's Prolific Seed
corn. Grown on my own
farm and personally select
ed by me.
57-tf. E. K. Farmer.
Men who travel tell us that Fitz
gerald is the most progressive, up
to-date city of its size in the State.
They know.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22
Will CoIyer

The death of Will CoIyer at
Nichols is reported in the city
this morning. Mr.. Colyer form
erly lived in this city.
The remains will be inferred
at his old home in Fort Valley
Tuesday. He leaves a loving
wife and two sons Wesley and
Alva to mourn his loss.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22

NCSSAVCU OC6GS at AQ6m 8.
Cotton, to-day, G God
Middling Z 7-8c
Mr.. E. K. Farmer returned
from a brief trip to New York
Saturday.
Ford Automobile for sale or ex-
change for realestate. Apply this
office. 31-tf
Mr.. and Mrs. M. w. Garbutt
returned from a two weeks visit
to St. Petersoerg, Fla, Sunday
night.
To Let.-Three rooms for light
housekeeping. Bath, Hot and Cold
water, electric lights. Apply Ais
West Pine 57-tf.
Mrs. E. K. Farmer and child
rem returned from LAGRANGE
where they have been visiting
for the past two weeks.
Mary PickfOrd in Cinde-
rella, Amusu Wednesday.
Mr.. T. M. Lawrence, of Irwin
vile, was in the city yesterday.
Have you seen the new
line at the National "The
San TOx" line? IfyOu have
not, come in and see it. 1t
is sure a fine line of RENE
dies National Drug Co.
Col. Dwight Rodgers of OcilIa
was visitor here yesterday.
All varities garden seed
for spring planting.
Denmark Drug Co.
The new iron. bridge for the FitZ-
gerald-Ocilla boulevard is on the
ground and will be Immediately er-
rected.
Americas Sweet heart.
Mary PickfOrd, at Amusu
Wednesday.
Lon Sheehan, of Tech, is spend
ing a few days here with his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. J. F.
Sheehan.
Try "San TOx" Tooth
paste. 1t is fine. 1t leaves a
delightful taste in your
mouth. National Drug Co.
Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Taylor of East
Magnolia are happy with a new boy
at their home.
Patronize the "Poor Mans
friend'' and buy your goods from
Dodd Supply Go.
Mrs. S. P. Crawford has re-
turned from an extended visit
to Augusta and Macon.
Little Mary PickfOrd in
Cinderella, Amusu Wednes-
day.
Mr.. Lon Dickey is spending few
weeks in Pass Christian Miss.
'San TOx" Medicines and
Toilet Articles guaranteed.
! A remedy for each ailment.
( National Drug Co.
Mr.. ]. H. Jones spent the
weekend in Macon wirh friends.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22

A~OANJ y PAVAAAlA SCNV
corn. Grown on my own
farm and personally select
ed by me. 57-tf.
E. X. Farmer.
Miss Glenn Thompson of Cor
dele is the guest of her sister in
Fitzgerald, Mrs. J. H, borough.
Let the Leader Enterprise do
your job printing. You will be
pleased,
Mr. and Mrs. Nose Mccall report
the arrival of a boy at their home
on S. Grant street.
To RENT-Farm, II acres in
Westwood. Apply, I. W. Adams,
Nashville. Ga. (. 3
Clerk J. A, Littlejohn, of the
Crisp County Superior Court
was over from Cordele Saturday
and really acknowledged that
Fitzgerald was nearly as good
a town as Cordele.
Velvet Beans, best quail
ty we'll cleaned.
Denmark Drug Co.
Fitzgerald was well filled with
farmer friends last Saturday
and their general talk was they
will this year literally mix hog
and hominey with their cotton
raising.
Fitzgerald is blessed with the
brotherly love spirit, and visitors
to the town are at once made
to feel perfectly at home. A
city can boast of nothing better.
DR.. E. J. Dorminey left Satur-
day night for a few days stay at
Atlanta.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22
For Sale,

| offer my home place on Sruth
Lee street for sale, all cash or
terms to suit purchaser.
A. H. Thurmond.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22

Mr.. and Mrs. A. S. Dorminey
went up to the Capital to spend
few days.
''San TOx" Hair Tonic is
good. 1t produces results.
National Drug Co.
Geo. Reed, Carl Fellers, Reason
Paulk anc Rufus Smith motored to
Ashburn Sunday.
See Mary PickfOrd in Gin
derella, Amusu Wednesday.
The Rest Room of the Carnegie
Library has the use of a nice
couch, a loan by Mr.. S. L.
Smith.
Mr.. J. J. Dorminey of Broxton
spent the day in the city.
L. L. Dickerson and a party
of Indian riders went to Talla.
hassee Fla. and back Sunday.
A picture for all. Mary
Pic k f ford in Cinderella,
Amusu Wednesday.
Mrs. ]. M. Haines has rented
the Empire Hotel and will take
charge of it about April LIST. Mr..
R. L. Ware will move into the
Haines home on S. Sherman St.
Red Bliss Irish potatoes.
Spanish peanuts at bargain
prices. Denmark Drug Co.
Mr.. H. CARRIER returned Satur-
day from a business trip to New
YORK.
"San TOx" Green soap is
good for a shampoo. Csc
and SOC. National Drug
Co.
Mr.. William Feinberg, one of
the City Dads of Thomasville
spent Sunday with his daughter,
Mrs. H. CARRIER in the city.
Cotton Seed For Sale
Prolific Big Boil, high
limiting COttOnseed fOroo.ssale.
Specially selected.
57-tf. e. K. Farmer.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Garbutt
of Valdosta arrived in the city
Saturday night for a visit with
their daughter, Mrs. R. M. Ware
and family.
Early Amber and Orange
Sorghum at lowest prices.
Denmark Drug Co.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22
G. O. G. Club With
Miss Lucy Whitley

The G. o. G. Club met at the
home of Miss Lucy Whitley, SOP
S. Main street at $50 o'clock last
Saturday afternoon and remain
ed in session until six
Rock was played and the color
scheme was yellow and white
cut flowers and palms being used.
MINIS were served. After the
game, the members of the club,
chaperoned by Mesdames Homer
Jenkins and William Bryan, pro-
ceeded to Adams Candy Kitchen
and further enjoyed the hospi-
tally Of Miss Whitley in way of
delightful ice cream.
The members of the club in at
tendance were: Misses Emily
Griffin, Hazel Jolley, Nora Paulk.
Pauline Goldenberg, Laura Will
son, Ada Handley, Bessie Har-
per, Melvia Dozier, Lilly Murray,
Isabel Paulk and Lucy Whitley
a bunch of feminine loneliness
that for the time being caused
the Leader Enterprise reporter
to lose all track of his troubles.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22

Piles Cured in 6 to il Days
Your druggist will refund money if PAZO
OINTMENT fails to cure any case of Itching
Blind, Bleeding or Protruding Piles in 6to IA days.
The first application gives Ease and Rest, SOC.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22
Seed Corn

Whatley's prolific seed
corn. Grown on my own
farm and personally select
ed by me. Stiff.
The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-03-22

Mr.. and Mrs. J. A. Dorminey
of Douglas visited relatives in
Fitzgerald last Saturday.
Misses Ethel and Lizzie Butler
Of Douglas are visiting relatives
in Fitzgerald.
Mr.. and Mrs. Tanner are Wis
iting their daugher, Mrs. Fur
long, at Nichols.