by Forest Harvey

“Christmas time’s a-commin” and I am thinking of Christmases 64 or so years ago. Back in those days Santa Claus had to have many helpers because transportation, communication, etc. was not so modern. Santa was everywhere trying to find out the children’s wish list.

One of those places was Chilton’s 5 & 10. Santa was there to visit . He never promised the children that they would receive all they asked for or wanted. He knew that many parents could not afford all of it. On this particular Saturday an eight year old boy came (name withheld). He stated, “You are not Santa Claus. There is no Santa Claus.” Santa ask him to be nice and not spoil Christmas for the little children. He was eating a strawberry ice cream cone and he put it right in Santa’s face and beard. Sometimes Santa Claus gets no respect and has not liked strawberry ice cream to this day.

Another thought comes to mind about “Christmas time”. A soft snow was falling on Friday the last day of school before Christmas break and about two inches of snow was on the ground and road.

Three one room county school teachers, Will Long Cole, Gladys Choate, Mary Harvey and Santa Claus (in full dress because there were no dressing rooms in a one room school) were on their way to their different schools. Today was the day for Christmas programs and TREATS for all children before they were let out for the holidays. Mr. Cole was driving his black two door Ford coupe . In the trunk they had the treats all in boxes… gifts, apples, oranges and candy .

Ms. Choate was in the passenger side seat, Santa was behind her and Ms. Harvey was seated behind Mr. Cole. They had traveled the Old Monticello Road a few miles when he lost control of the car on a curve on the hill. The car swapped ends and landed upside down in a big ditch. Neither door would open. This was not Christmas joy. Ms. Choate was able to roll her window down (or was it up?) . She crawled out and Santa Claus followed.

It was not hard to get a passing car stopped with Santa Claus waving to them. Two men stopped and they soon had gotten Mr. Cole out. They had to go through the trunk to get Ms. Harvey out after removing the treats. We were all shook up and sore for a few days. There were no Christmas Programs at these schools that year. I do not know to this day how the message was relayed to the schools as there were no cell phones in that day. I am sure someone drove out to tell them. It was cold and someone also took us all home.

I do not think the car was ever repaired. Mr. Cole drove it for years with big dents in the top and side. Car bodies were made strong in those days. I cannot remember the names of the schools and I may be the only living witness. Perhaps some child in one of the cars that stopped is still out there. I am sure that they will remember Santa Claus in a wreck at Christmas because it did not happen often. I am sorry, I do not want to give it away but I was that Santa Claus. Perhaps I needed a sled.

Forest Harvey