A pocket full of chestnuts, a little "brogan candy", and down to the blacksmith shop to "fire the anvil," was the recipe for a happy Christmas for a teen-age boy 60 years ago.

Early Christmas morning a group of boys took to the hills in search of a squirrel's nest. They knew if they found a nest it would contain lots of chestnuts the animals had stored for winter.

The "brogan candy" served as the "sweeting" and to "fire" the anvil" was considered a great sport. The blacksmith was always ready to oblige and let the boys have a little fun.

A few cents of powder could do the trick. The powder was places in the hole in the anvil with a little fuze or piece of paper attached. A heavy piece of iron fitted over the powder.

Firecrackers Unheard Of

The winters were extremely cold and the rivers stayed frozen for months, from bank to bank. An old timer told of riding a horse during a big snow up on Black Mountain with the snow up to the stirrups. He held his feet high to keep from dragging in the snow.

In the early '90's the few merchants in Harlan placed two Christmas trees in the circuit court room on either side of the judges bench. The community trees were for the benefit of everybody.

The idea for the trees was to boost business. A few bought presents and tied them to the branches. When others saw gifts on the tree, they in turn brought presents. Someone called off the names on Christmas Eve. It encouraged business.

An old timer remembered a woman sitting in the court room while the gifts were being distributed. Her name wasn't called. She left the room crying. The old timer saw her and after discussing the position with another of the younger set, decided to buy gifts and take to her home.It made her very happy.

Many of the husbands bought "bolts of goods" or "dress patterns" for their wives and fastened them to the tree. Many little girls were made happy with their rag stocking dolls.

picture...COLD, COLD, WINTERS---Many years ago the winters were much colder than they are today. Everyone "bundled up" well" when they went but the weather was never too cold to venture out. The group shown here is waiting for a train. Left to right, Mrs. Ollie Lewis, John lewis, unidentified girl, Tom Ward, unidentified woman, and Tucker Bowling.

Sunday December 27, 1953

Volume 52 Number 301

Pages 1 & 8

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