News From This Week’s Past: Santa Claus and American Flags

All items are from the Door County Library’s newspaper archives, and they appear in the same form as they were first published, including misspellings and grammatical errors.

The Expositor

December 26, 1873

The Fort Howard Monitor displays good taste by selecting its editorials from our columns. We might retaliate, but, aside from its plagiarisms, there’s nothing there to take.

The Independent

December 31, 1886

The insurance agents of the city, representing various companies, went before the city council Wednesday evening and requested that body to organize a hook and ladder company, consisting of 12 men. This is to comply with the state law to entitle the city to the 2 per cent of the premiums received in the city. The council agreed to do so within a month.

The Republican

December 31, 1891

We were informed recently that a stage line was to be started between this city and Kewaunee, passengers preferring to go that way instead of to Green Bay, on account of the distance being so much shorter. There is a good deal of travel going that way now and it is claimed that a regular line between the two places would pay. Just wait till we get the railroad built here, and then stage lines will be nowhere.

Door County Democrat

December 30, 1905

On Friday of last week the first jingle of sleigh bells were heard, alight flurry of snow making it possible for cutter riding on the street. Another light fall of snow Friday night enabled sleighs to be pressed into general use in the city.

Door County News

December 26, 1918

A bill has been introduced in congress making it a misdemeanor to display any other flag than the American flag in parades or over public buildings, except that it be to honor another nation. This is meant to squelch the red flag of anarchy and is a step in the right direction. One flag and one language, should be the motto of the citizens of this country. While there should not be any objection to any person speaking the language he desires under his own roof, there should be only one language permitted to be taught in the common schools of the country. Let our colleges and higher institutions of learning teach the student any language he may desire to learn, that should be the privilege of a free man.

Door County News

December 27, 1928

A large number of people from Kolberg and many other places gathered at the Gabriel Pierre store to see Santa Claus, who visited there Saturday afternoon and evening. Santa had gifts for all the children who were present. Young and old were anxiously awaiting Santa Claus arrival. He was in exceptionally fine humor and it is needless to add that all enjoyed the afternoon and evening immensely. It was impossible for Santa to travel with his sleigh and reindeer, and as Kolberg has no airport he could not come via aeroplane, so he made the trip by car.

Door County News

December 30, 1938

JEWISH HAVEN

Only on rare occasions do top-flight government officials openly or directly criticize the government or policies of another power. Thus, when President Roosevelt recently spoke of the Jewish persecutions in Germany as being horrible and almost unbelievable, he was doing the unusual and the daring. The immediate response was a bitter campaign of vilification against this country in the inspired Nazi press. The response here was about 100 per cent favorable to Mr. Roosevelt’s stand.

Furthermore, there is growing sentiment in this country for breaking off all commercial and diplomatic relations with the Reich. That would be an economic blow to Germany, which is shaky financially as it is. But few think it could produce much result unless other powers joined in, notably England and France. And inasmuch as these countries are now trying to cultivate German “friendship” there seems small chance of that.

More immediate is the problem of adding the persecuted Jews. There is a fair chance that one of Germany’s former African colonies may be turned into a Jewish haven and homeland. This would not solve the problems by any means, but it would do a great deal to lessen it. And, inasmuch as Germany has been seeking the return to these colonies, it would be an ironic back-handed slap at Hitler.

In the meantime, don’t be surprised if the American ambassador to Berlin, who was recently called home to “report,” doesn’t return to Berlin for some time to come.