The North Mountain Historical Society

Meeting: December 2000

The History Buffs met at the Brass Pelican on Monday, Dec. 18 with 14 people present. Jim Vance returned thanks before breakfast was served. Following breakfast the minutes of the last meeting were read.
There were a few additions--one explaining how the Ricketts Family came to the North Mountain Area. There was a hotel in the area, which was the one place to stay during hunting season. But one hunting season the place was full when the Ricketts family arrived and they had to sleep on the floor. The next hunting season the Ricketts owned many acres of prime hunting land on the mountain and the stone house had been built where they had excellent accommodations for hunting season. After this, we started around the table. Everyone was well prepared to give us their special memories. We had memories of early Christmases in Benton, some memories of German traditions, and a very interesting description of Polish traditions that are still carried on by this family. They celebrate the holiday on Dec. 6 with a feast of Polish food and a visit from the Belschnickel. Church and family were emphasized as the core of many Christmas celebrations as were cookie baking and family feasts. One man told about living on a farm and making sure the animals got special treats for Christmas. Some one told of living near the old B & S railroad and taking a Christmas treat of hot coffee and cookies to the man who walked the track from Stillwater to Benton every day ahead of the train to make sure all was well on the track. Someone told of growing up in Florida and how it is very possible to celebrate Christmas without snow. While there were only a few people present it was a most interesting meeting and I think everyone enjoyed it. After the close of the meeting Mr. Wilson Ferguson from Laporte offered to give us a picture of life in Eaglesmere in the 19th century. That will be at the April meeting. Our thanks to Mr. Ferguson.
The next meeting will be January 15th at the Brass Pelican. The speaker will be Mr. John Laubach and the topic will be the Laubach family, particularly Dr. Frank Laubach, world famous missionary.