Decembers past, 100 years ago.

From The LaGrange Reporter, 1915.

Editorial

Christmas — This issue of The Reporter is published a day ahead of time for the double purpose of reaching most of our readers the day before Christmas Eve and of giving our working force an extra day for much-needed rest and diversion.

We take this occasion to extend to our readers one and all our sincere best wishes for a Happy Christmas.

There will be many who despite their own immediate blessings will be unable to enter into the spirit of Christmas celebration with the fullest zest and abandon because of a realization of what Christmas 1915 will mean to millions of fellow beings in other parts of the world who are bowed and crushed under the ravages of war; also the consciousness that our country is by no means secure against a similar fate. To such as these we extend a quiet handclasp in spirit.

Let us hope that whatever may come and whatever may be the extent of the carnage and suffering while the peoples of the world are learning in the frightful school of experience, that there may emerge from it in the generations to come a real democracy, based upon a truer sense of values and a realization that there can be no lasting peace, which is not founded in humanity, truth and justice.

City Tax Returns Over $5,200,000 — The total taxable value of the city of LaGrange, including real estate and personal property, show an increase this year of between $90,000 and $100,000.

This increase is principally because of the real estate values. This fact is attributed to the economy, which has been practiced by the merchants and citizens generally.

The personal property this year as returned is about $1,600,000, and the real estate property returns amount to about $3,600,000, making a total of about $5,200,000.

New Real Estate Firm for 1916 — LaGrange has a new real estate office on Church Street next door to the LaGrange Reporter office. It iwll be operated under the name of Wilson and Denson by Messrs O.E. Wilson of LaGrange and T.N. Denson of Granger, Texas.

The new, up-to-date business will have an automobile, which will assist them in rendering excellent service. Both owners have a considerable amount of experience in this line of work.

War Explosives to be Made in South — Southern manufacturers, backed by a good deal of Atlanta capital, will soon begin the manufacture of gun cotton and other explosives for the European allies.

A $900,000 concern incorporated in Delaware, in which the Atlanta capital is interested, will take over several industrial plants near Anniston, Alabama, remodeling them for the purpose of manufacturing war explosives.

Cow Smashes Nose of Owner — The champion kicking cow of Georgia is owned by C. Hays of Greenville. The animal is more agile, witnesses declare, than the classic kind that jumped over the moon in the nursery rhyme.

The cow’s name is Dolly, and she holds all the records for high kicking and hard kicking. Mr. Hays stands 6 feet, 4 inches in his shoes, and the cow smashed his nose with one swift punch of her left hind foot.

The cow is now for sale, with a guarantee that she will win all kicking contests.

Growing Use of Farm Telephones — Representatives from LaGrange and every other large city in Georgia and nine other Southeastern states were present in Atlanta at the recent conference on maintenance and improvement of telephone lines held by the Southern Bell and the Cumberland Telephone companies.

Important plans were outlined for improvements throughout this section of Georgia.

One of the most interesting points brought out was the magnificent growth of the rural telephone service in this section of the country during the past few years, rapidly approaching a time when no farm will be complete without the advantage of a telephone.

Letters to Santa Claus

Dear Santa: Please bring me a tent. I want to sleep outdoors.

Your little friend, Will Morgan Jr.

Dear Santa: I love you. I want you to bring me a train that runs on a track and a big old horn. I would be glad if you would bring me some money too. Please bring my mama and papa something.

Love to you, Tommie Bassett, 8 years old.

Dear Santa Claus: I am going to be a good girl and learn my lessons and my part in the play so you will bring me lots of nice things. Come to our Christmas tree. Bring my brother and sister something too.

Lovingly, Miriam Holle.