Document Type
Correspondence
Files
Download Full Text (1.1 MB)
Date
1-18-1961
Keywords
Christmas, Belsnickel, cherry trees, Harry Keith, Harry K. Yost, Santa Claus, Brownstown, Ephrata, Mohnton
Description
A handwritten letter from Harold C. Shank addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated January 18, 1961. Within, Shank provides personal stories surrounding the holidays in Berks and Lancaster counties, including "Belsnickles," annual auctions, cherry trees and Santa Claus.
Sender
Harold C. Shank
Recipient
Alfred L. Shoemaker
Corresponds to:
Packet 94-31
City
Mohnton, Pennsylvania
Transcription
Mohnton R.D. 2, Pa.
Jan. 18, 1961
Dr. Alfred L. Shoemaker
Penna. Folklife Society
Lancaster R.D. 4, Penna.
Dear Sir:
I have just finished reading your book “Christmas in Pennsylvania” which I enjoyed very much.
While reading a few incidents about Christmas came to my mind which I feel bear repeating.
This story has been told to me by my mother who is now 61 years old.
Christmas Eve was the “biggest time” of the year in the village of Brownstown, Lancaster County. Supper was eaten early after which the town folk would gather at Harry Keith’s store (on the square) where his annual auction was held. After the auction became tiring, the younger folk would go outside and watch the “belsnickles”. This auction was held until 1917. Mr. Keith died during the “flu epidemic” in 1918.
“Wild Cherry Christmas Tree”
This information was received from a son in law of Harry K. Yost. A few weeks before Christmas Mr. Yost would cut down a small wild cherry tree or the top from a larger one. The tree was wrapped with cotton wadding and then placed in water and put in a warm room. Water is added as needed. After a while leaves start to shoot and some years blossoms also appear. Ornaments were placed on the tree. When or where this originated I do not know, but I am sure Mr. Yost would be glad to talk to you. He lives at Lauers Lane, Wyomissing. He had a wild cherry tree this past Christmas.
I am a young man (35 years old) and recall one incident concerning Santa Claus. This occurred in the early 1930s. Santa was scheduled to arrive at Sprecher's Hardware Store in Ephrata. He arrived by train dressed in the traditional red suit but there was something unusual about him. He was a thin man, wore glasses, and carried a buggy whip. He stamped his feet and cracked his whip at the children. This has always impressed me for I always thought Santa was kind and gentle.
Sincerely yours,
Harold C. Shank
Language
English
Rights Statement
This item is available courtesy of the Ursinus College Library Special Collections Department. It is not to be copied or distributed for commercial use. For permissions which fall outside of educational use, please contact the Special Collections Department.
Recommended Citation
Shank, Harold C., "Letter From Harold C. Shank to Alfred L. Shoemaker, January 18, 1961" (1961). Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents. 205.
https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/shoemaker_documents/205
Included in
American Material Culture Commons, Cultural History Commons, Folklore Commons, Linguistic Anthropology Commons, Social History Commons, United States History Commons
Rights Statement
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
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