Christmas Party

Saturday, December 25, 2010

In 1915, Edgar and Minnie Hamlin decided to host a party at their home north of Wing on Christmas Eve. It was the only such party in the area, and everyone in town and in the neighboring countryside was invited. The approximately thirty attendees enjoyed a meal made by Mrs. Hamlin, a great Christmas tree, and the company and gifts of Santa Claus himself, who stopped by. 

Santa’s presence was so enjoyed that some of the children tried to keep him around a while longer. That delay morphed into a footrace … and Santa ran headlong into a barb wire fence! He did finally escape, only leaving behind a few of his whiskers.

The crowd remained, some until the early hours of the next morning. And a Merry Christmas was had by all.

Dakota Datebook written by Sarah Walker

Sources:

The Wing Statesman, Dec. 31, 1915

1920 Federal Census, North Dakota, Burleigh County