The following letters to Santa were written to the New Bern newspapers during the late 1920s to early 1930s and are reprinted from a newsletter I wrote in 2008 called the Caton Chronicle.
Melba Stilley of Ernul desires a doll that will laugh and cry, a ball and a trumpet, candy, nuts and chewing gum. Remember sisters, she asks Santa.
This from Laura Beatrice Whitford, at Ernul: “Please bring me a doll baby and a carriage, and a little car and horn, and apples, oranges, candy and some nuts.”
Bert Toler, a little Ernul boy who goes to school at Caton, wants an air rifle and “two boxes of shot,” fruits, candy and nuts. “Please don’t forget little brother” Bert asks.
Ronald Wetherington of Ernul will be happy if Santa will bring him an air rifle and shot and some fruit, he says in his letter. Ronald is in the first grade at school.
Here’s a letter from Hazel Knox, also of Ernul, and she says she would like to have a doll, a pencil box, and some candy, fruits, and nuts.
Dear Santa, I am a little boy seven years old. I want you to bring me a pair of boots, a knife, a pair of gloves, and some fruits, nuts, and candy. Please don’t forget to bring my little sister, Marjorie, a red wagon, a doll baby, and a finger ring. Your little friend, LeslieWetherington.
Dear Santa Claus: I have been a good little boy. I want you to bring me a harp, a knife, a coaster wagon and a train, some fruits, such as apples, bananas, oranges, and candy. Santa, don’t forget my little cousins, Edgar and Latrill. Wishing you a Merry Xmas, Harold Wetherington.
Dear Santa: I am six years old and in the first grade. I want you to bring me a wagon and some confectionaries. Your friend, R.J. Fulcher, Forest School.
Dear Santa: I am eleven years old and am in the fifth grade and I try to learn my lesson. My teacher’s name is Miss Mae Ipock, and I like her. Santa, please bring me a big doll and a good story book and bring me some candy, apples and other fruit. I have four sisters and one brother. My brother is eighteen years old. Don’t forget them. I will have to close, Santa. I hope you a merry Christmas. Minnie Knox.
Dear Old St. Nick, I am a little girl twelve years old. Please bring me a pair of skates, a box of powder, a puff, a ring, a vase, some new shades, and some fruit, nuts and candy. Have a very Merry Christmas. With love, Isabelle Toler.
Dear Santa, I am a little boy ten years old. I want you to bring me a tool box, a bicycle and some candies and nuts. Please don’t forget me because you know I haven’t asked for much. Martin Luther Sutton.
Dear Santa, I am a little girl seven years old. I want you to bring me a tricycle and some nuts and candy. That will be all I will ask for this time. My two
brothers, Jr. and Martin, want a bicycle and toolbox. Dorothy Sutton.
Dear Santa Claus: I am a little boy ten years old and in the fifth grade. My teacher’s name is Miss Ruth Carr and I like her very much. I want you to wish me luck in making my grade this year. Santa, this Christmas I want you to bring me a bicycle. I want also some nuts, fruits, candies. Please don’t forget my brothers and sister, and other boys and girls.With love, Vernon Norman.