The Coconino sun., 1917-01-05
JAMES DOUGLAS PLAYS
SANTA CLAUS IN JEROME
(Contributed)

<hS Tie evening SnduoWS BdtHeISti
about Jerome and its environs, the
busses were returning from the depot
mile distant and some twelve hum
dred feet above the town. They were
crowded to overlooking with new
comers. Lights CLEANED everywhere
on the steep side hill to which the
town clings, as the heavy gale hur-
ried sleet and snow in binding sheets.
The passengers arrived on the main
street of the town and a wild scram-
BILE for rooms began. Out into the
growing blizzard they drifted, past
shops a glitter in light and silvery
tinsel that strove in vain to attract
them.
1t was rooms they wanted. After
hours of search they all managed to
secure place to sleep. Some more
fortunate in snug rooms in hotels and
rooming houses and the less fortunate
on cots in halls and on porches. As
the storm increased in fury it blew
down flimsy signs and sent trash cans
down the streets. 1t tore the canvas
projections from its moorings and
carried the covers from over the
sleepers, precipitating sleet and snow
into their beds. Many, shivering, and
chilled with the cold were driven to
dress in their icy surroundings to seek
shelter in corridors, stair landings,
and conveninet hooks until the dawn
of Christmas day afforded them a
warmer retreat.
Below Jerome a half a mile away
and five hundred feet below the noisy
town, stands the tribute of James S.
Douglas, president Of the United
Verde Extension Mining Company, to
the state of Arizona. A large roomy
replica of an early Spanish hacienda,
a monument to the early settlement of
this glorious state. 1t was blaze of
light throughout.
In the meantime, despite the roar
Of the tempest and drifting Of snow,
shouts of revelling sounded from va
rious quarters in the town while every
pool hall and cigar store was filled
with smoke and the babble of tongues
of foreign accent. Here the American
is almost scarcity. The dull mono
tony of the accordion and wierd
chants emanated from many sources.
A stranger asked where so many
people were going in the closed car
riages each drawn by four horses or
mules and in the autos closely cur
tanned. He was told that James S.
Douglas hired every available convey
ance to carry guests to the blazing
hacienda near the Little Daisy mine.
In celebrating Christmas eve genu-
inc yuletide entertainment and house
warming was given at the Douglas
home in his generosity public invi-
tation was extended From miles
around they came despite the blizzard
to gather about the fire side and en-
joy genuine Christmas cheer.
Under the able direction of Mr..
Kehr, manager of the United Verde
Extension Co., a huge evergreen tree
had been placed in the center of the
spacious living room. It was illumin-
otaJ ,,,;+b o,,o,. +1yo h,,nJraJ ooIorod
incandescent lights, and amid brilliant
decorations hundreds of sacks of
mixed fruit, candy, and nuts were
placed upon it. Piled all about were
hundreds more.
Mr.. G. C. Levitt as Santa Claus dis
tributed these bags to each man,
woman and child who entered and in
all nearly twenty-five hundred bags
were given away.
There were never less than seven
hundred guests in the house from the
time the festivities commenced until
late hour in the evening. Seven
neatly gowned ladies served the mixed
mass of humanity (for nearly all ma
tionalities were represented) with hot
coffee, cake, and sandwiches.
Above the tree in large room the
Jerome Juvenile band plaed Christ
mas carols while guests came and de-
parted. The best brands Of cigars
were passed around to the men and as
they smoked, many were the sincere
wishes to the future health and pros
perity of James S. Douglas and his
associates.
Until late hour the guests re-
mained and the vehicles that carried
them to the fete carried them home
after real Christmas.
Aside. from the chilling blast and
creaking signs the only sounds that
greeted their return to the town were
the strange chants Of foreign ton
CUES accompanied by some instrument
And gradually the jewellers ceased
and left Christmas night alone with