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Dec. 27, 1921
Darling Carroll:
Owing to many callers, it has been impossible to begin my Xmas letter till
now. However, the Boat will go South for several days, so I will have
plenty time to write to my precious Boy and others who remembered us in our
first Christmas in the far Northland. Of course, I could hardly wait to
open the heavy package addressed to me in your beloved handwriting. It was
what I had hoped, a Testament in fine large print - and such a splendid one, so
beautifully bound. I am so happy with it, and will read in in every day
and think of you each time. Everybody that looks at the gifts on the
Christmas table devoted to me looks at your present to me with a very reverent
expression and says - "How wasn't that sweet of him?" Then they want to
know all about you. Thank you a thousand times, my Dear One. The
music to Marguerite also came and she is so delighted with it. She and
Mildred spend considerable time trying the pretty pieces. She will write
you. Just now, I had better say that nothing else has come from New York
to me or to the others to date. We think some of our Eastern gifts may be
in the Sound in the Mail Coach which was wrecked December 11th, which contained
Xmas Mail, it is stated. If there is anything for any of the others or to
me on the next Boat, I can mention before this letter is mailed. You know
the Boats call at some of the westward ports, then the Santa Claus Boat.
Every body in town was hurrying home laden with brown packages. We put
ours in the Xmas Room - The lovely Ball Room and decided to open them on
Christmas Day. But I will return to Thursday, Dec. 22, when I wrote you a
card. Our first local remembrance was from a Treadwell lady, who brought
us some Mince Tartlets - an English custom, for good luck for the Month, and a
picture of her little girls for Baby. John and Collins, the colored
Messenger, put up the tree. John, Mrs. Holmes and I did most of the
trimming, John having to go to the American Legion, Mrs. H. and I worked till
Mr. and Mrs. Garfield called. Mildred and John put the finishing touches
on. Sat. A.M. they were those little silver icicles that just came out
last year and make a beautiful tree. They certainly helped out, as we have
not so many ornaments any more and quite a number were broken coming. The
tree was quite broad and we placed it in the large bay window at the side
jutting on the great white pillared veranda. They had to cut off about six
feet of it. Every one says it is a very beautiful tree. You are
familiar with the time honored old ornaments, some 28 years old. The base
is of "snow" and the old toys around as usual. They too, are the oldest
ones, as the best ones are all given away. The little ones who have
called, have about finished them. The girls spent many evenings at choir
practice and enjoyed it, though it interfered with social engagements and their
Xmas sewing. They were glad to have Mildred with the Contraltos. We
did not know when we could work in our Xmas celebration, as the Children were to
sing at the Midnight Mass Xmas Eve, then go around singing Carols after, and
would have to sleep late, then sing at eleven o'clock again. Then we knew
our callers would start early. All these things came to pass and we
strained every nerve, to get our gifts all ready, poetry written and every thing
to celebrate Xmas Eve. Does that not seem queer? Yes for the very
first time in our lives, we had our presents Xmas eve, except those from a
distance. Then at 11:45 walked over to the little Episcopal Church for the
beautiful service. It was filled. Many coming from gay parties - and
tired parents from trimming trees, filling stockings - after tucking eager
little ones in bed. Later, the Carolists, about 40, including our Girls,
came round and sang several songs. We asked them in and they did, being
pretty cold. We passed candy and they sang at the piano - and went away to
carol some more. They got to bed at 3.30. As I said the Girls again
went to sing in the Episcopal Church in the morning, and Daddie and I went to
the Pres. Church. We had 16 callers. Mr. and Mrs. Smith dined with
us. Yesterday, was a Holiday. We had a number of callers again.
Daddie, Mr. Shoup, Karl, old Mr. Fisher, John ad Mildred went for a six mile
hike. Mrs. Rustgard and Daughter were here for dinner and Mrs. R. took us
to see "The Kid" - that is Daddie, Baby and me. Mildred and John had seen
it and went with Arthur Shoup to the Elks' Xmas tree for the Children - then to
the other picture house. Both houses hold seven or eight hundred people.
Honey, we had the most marvelous weather for two weeks, clear and cold -
Occasionally, there was a slight flurry of snow, which made it somewhat
slippery. Have had quite wonderful winter so far. Now, it is very
dark up on Mt. Juneau, which means it is snowing. With all these
preliminaries, I will get back to our first Christmas in Alaska. It seemed
very odd and sad without our other children to Daddie and me. Did you
think of us and wish you were with us as often as thought of you and wished so
much you could be here? Otherwise, it was very happy and pretty, we were
wonderfully remembered and had a fine dinner with a 15 pound turkey and fixins.
[sic] I will tell you what Daddie and I got and the others can do the
same. Daddie had a lovely woolen Bathrobe from Mammie. A fine woolen
Cap - John - two beautiful pongee handkerchiefs - with monogram - from Mildred -
Her Ship Picture, enlarged, in a little frame - from Baby (Like she sent you)
for his desk, and also some hose-silk - A very handsome silk scarf - from Mr.
Theile - Book "Mirrors of Downing Street" - Roger - Adjustable Coat Hanger -
Edna - Cigars - Mr. Wallstedt.
Mammie, beside her beautiful Bible - From Daddie-Long grey Spats Very stylish
looking-and two pairs black silk hose-From Mildred-a lovely hand made pink crepe
de chine Camisole- From John-long Chamoisette grey gloves, fur trimmed.
From Marguerite, a beautiful silk Petticoat in Taupe and pink. From Hilma,
two pretty Handkerchiefs- Then Pauline, the second Girl, is making me a whole
set of linen doilies, with crocheted lace edge. From Ruth, an exquisite
rose colored Breakfast Jacket trimmed in swansdown, with cunning rosebuds.
From Mr. Shoup, a lovely plant- a pink Azalea. From Mrs. Smith (Walstein)
a picture- the "Lights of the Alaska-Juneau" (meaning the mill with its
beautiful lights at night - all in tiers like a castle.) from Edna,
Lingerie Pins. From Miss Bain, a dainty silk crepe gown. From Mrs.
Jesse Jones, a handsome (I rec'd ten Handkerchiefs-from Gladys, Hilma, Boston
Store, Mrs. Ormsby, Aunt Mary Schoenacre, Lewis.) embroidered towel. From
Aunt Nellie and Dottie, a dresser scarf in pink and white, with "B" on it, very
pretty. From Col. Gotwals, a large fine box of Candy in an Alice Blue box.
Box Chocolate Mints from Dictator Wallstedt. From Mrs. Dr. DeVighne, a
fruit cake. From Mrs. Cobb, a fruit cake. From Dr. and Mrs. Waggoner
(Pastor Native Church) Lagoon Jelly and Relish from Upper bush cranberry.
From Collins, a lovely Calendar. From dear Old Mr. Young his picture.
The Piece de Resistance, as Mildred says, was a wonder dress from Mrs. Holmes.
It is black silk net with jet trimming. It is an overdress and will have
to be worn over some sort of slip, black or white, possibly. It was a
lovely thing for her to do, but I think she feels grateful to us for being so
friendly and having her here so much. She is great friends with a New York
Girl, who is here in the Forest Service. Mildred and John were very happy
over their Xmas and said they had never had such a nice one. John was just
as excited little Boy and could hardly wait for the presents to be given out.
We had the three card tables at first. But after while, Baby had to take
the Baby Grand for hers. Mildred gave John a fine hunting coat and he gave
her corduroy trousers and a lovely silver vegetable dish. His Father sent
them $10 a piece. Almyra, a little silver dish and handkerchief. We
gave her silver slippers, a little clock-ivory - and woolen gloves. John,
a tie, a broom in an ivory holder, and a key ring. Pauline and Hilma gave
her some lovely crocheted doilies and a Hat pin holder and powder box holder of
light blue satin - and John silk handkerchief. Mr. Shoup gave her an
Indian basket and Karl, a lovely old ivory medallion, all the rage now. He
gave John a handsome scarf. Ruth, Dottie, Anna H., Gladys M. and Gladys
Robbins, Edna, Mrs. Holmes, Miss Orth, sent pretty remembr4ances. Baby had
Ivory Brush, Sweater in blue and yellow, woolen hose, bloomers, bedroom slippers
from us. From Mildred and John, Ivory powder box and Talcum Holder, from
Mrs. Cobb and Lang, Candy and ivory combination shoe hook and shoe horn.
Six other boxes of candy. A splendid Camera from Judge Read.
Handsome easel frame, Mrs. Smith, Little silver frame and lovely moccasins, the
Case yound folks, a handmade lace yoke-Pauline, White gloves and Japanese card
case-Hilma- Lingerie Clasps, Venetia Pugh, A lovely hand embroidered pillow
case, Mrs. Rustgard, Lovely Boudiour cap-Ruth-Indian Silk Crepe Gown-Miss Bain-
[stops the letter here]
The Boat goes tonight, Dec. 28.
Loads of Love,
Mammie
Envelope: from Governor's House, Juneau, Alaska; postmarked - Juneau, Alaska
Dec 28, 10 PM; to - Mr. Carrol A. Bone, 42 Broadway, Traffic Dept., C. M.
& St. P. Ry., New York City
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