The Big Timber Pioneer (Big Timber, Mont.) 1983-current, December 19, 2003, Image 17

Page 18 — BIG TIM B E R (MT) Explanation of the abbreviation ‘Xm a s’ Among those who like the con­ venience of this shortened form and those who resent any change in the name of the holiday there has no doubt been some curious wondering. The explanation is very simple. \X” has been a symbol for Christ through many centuries, since it is the initial of the name Christos in the Greek spelling. The Greek Chi. or X,- had the sound of our “eh\ and it is familiar to those Greek letter fraternities on American college campuses. There was a time when it was dangerous to be known as a Christian, when one's life was at stake. In those days Greek was the international language. Then Christians had to identify them­ selves by symbols, and “X\ became one of them. The sign meant nothing to a Roman soldier, but to a Christian it had the same signifi­ cance as the modern secret symbols of our lodges Another symbol similarly used was that o f the fish The Greek word for fish is Ichthys, and m an acrostic, the letters of that word were made the initials of the phrase “Jesus Christ. God’s Son, Saviour\ in one version of the story. A Christian wishing to learn tn a new acquain­ tance were also a Follower of the Way might casually draw the figure of a fish in the sand, and if the other rccogni/cd the sign, a new friend­ ship was formed. It is interesting to add to the tra­ ditional explanation of the X in Xmas the further custom in making X the symbol for the unknown in mathematics. Any consideration of the state of the world today will make it evident to us that Christ is the unknown quantity in the affairs of men. And Xmas is a time when we may unite to combat that condi­ tion by telling again the glory and the truth o f the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem Reprinted front the December 25, 1952 issue of the Rig Timber Pioneer. No Christmas tree Due to the fact the entire nation has been asked to dispense with out­ door Christmas lighting this year, there will be no community Christmas tree in Big Timber The Knights of Pythias lodge, which is at the head of the move­ ment. decided to forego the annual dance by which funds have been raised to finance the tree and treats. A city truck has been used in getting a tree down from the mountains. With gas and tire rationing in effect, this also scented unpatriotic at this time Indoor decorations arc not on the tabooed list The reque-.l applies mostly to municipal and large scale outdoor lighting. A small balance in the Christmas tree treasury will probably be used to spread cheer where it will do the most good. Reprinted from the December 17, 1942 issue of the Big Timber Pioneer. PIONEER — Week of December 19-25, 2003 Logging camp of decade past now bustles with Christmas tree trade About eight years ago Eureka had little to look forward to. The surrounding country had been logged off. little of the prairie land can he irrigated and the surround­ ing hills Yield little except a hope for an unknown future. Then came the inception of a new industry for the town, through which each year Eureka is gaining more fame as the home of the Christmas tree. Eureka is about nine miles from the Canadian border and nearly 90 miles from Idaho. It is on the cast end of a small prairie area known as Tobacco plains and is surrounded by mountains, which arc high on the east and low on all other sides. The sides of these mountains and foothills are covered with limber of little value now because they have been logged. Logged areas prove a favorable spot for growth of the nationwide popular Christmas tree. When the first Christmas trees were cut in 1928, people were rather horrified at the idea. Some resented the idea of commercializing the Christmas tree; others felt it was a waste since the trees were of so little value as compared with their value at maturity The first objection was readily overcome for this proved a source of income welcome to the people who had little work. By a system of education conducted by the forestry service and private companies, the people learned that the trees, if cut in an intelligent man­ ner. would really help in develop­ ment of forests. Many o f these trees cut among the thick growth would die natural deaths. Thinning out of small trees lessened the fire hazard. The season for cutting came at a time when little work was being done on farms The cash crop was Maude Muller’s Christmas By JEROME WILLIAMS Maude Muller on a Christmas Day. Came bobbing back— now old hut gay Maud went away, long years ago. When Xmas was Xmas, with ice and snow. When kids were pegged as good or bad. That Santa, dear, might make them glad. When a Xmas tree on Xmas eve. Was all that a kid’s mind could conceive. When the old pine tree, with candles bright. And fairy maids—in purest white— And old Kris Kringlc, in white and red— Stood by the tree as the names he read: And handed the presents, both candies and toys. To an eager group of girls and boys. And the old church organ, with jieal and chime. Chanted the “Merry Christmas” rhyme. But that was many years ago. When Xmas was the Xmas we used to know'. When old Kris Kringlc. with dem­ and sleigh— Came as a saviour to kids so gay. And as Maud glanced at the streets so bare. With not an urchin, here or there— Into her eye there crept a tear For other days, so bright and dear. And as she looked, she paused and said. \Old Santa Claus might as well be dead “ And to a youth who happened by. She turned and iisked. with tear- stained eye— \Where is old Santa.’—my boy. so gay— \With his six reindeer and his bright, red sleigh? \Old Santa Claus ’”—the youth replied— \Why that old guy’s done gone and died. \When pa and nta were brats, like me, \The dope was Santa and his Xmas tree. \But where in the hell would Santa go \On a day like this—no ice or snow’’ \Where is the road for his deer and sleigh? “How in the deuce would he get away? “There is a chance if he had a plane. “He might beat it out and not come again. \But this howling wind, on every hand. \Would choke old Santa and his reindeer band. \The day wiien you were once a brat— “Ma used to peddle this and that— “Of old Kris Kringlc and his six reindeer, ‘Who landed on a chimney near. “Why. little Sis. now just past three, “Knows all this dope as well as me. “So beat it along, with all this stuff: “Old Santa and the stork arc just pure guff.” And as Maud sighed, she shook her head: Then turned away and sadly said- “Of all sad words, ol tongue or pen. “Kids now ate as wise as we’ve ever been.” Reprinted from the December 2.1, 1920 issue of the Big Timber Pioneer. The author, Jerome Williams, was the editor of the Pioneer. Reason’s Greetings roj W i M f u t u j y o u a u e x y . M evttf &vtiMma& DALLAS ROOTS C.P JL Reason’s ^reelings! Your Patronage is The Foundation O f Our Business And For That H i Say A Very Sincere Thank You! From Bob & Judy Faw and The Entire Staff B O B F A W C H E V R O L E T W* Wish l/ou B u d 1 / o u . t S $ i/cttjA lttty Ghxistmas! welcome to farmers who live far from a city market and have little opportunity for cash. Cuttings are restricted Rules of the private companies provide that only one tree out of every 20 to 50, depending on the stand, will be removed, no trees exceeding three inches at the base and less than two feet in height will he cut, dominant timber trees shall not be cut under any circumstances hut left to beautify the landscape and all branches, trimmings and slash will be carefully destroyed to pre­ vent forest fires. These rules helped to gain a friendly attitude toward the industry Schools of instruction arc held at which cutters, district super­ intendents and all connected with the work arc given carful coaching. This year in Eureka there were two large companies operating branch offices in addition to a large number of independent dealers. In 1928 18 cars were shipped. This year more than 100 went out. besides many trucks hauling as far distant as Kansas City. Each car contained 5,000 trees ranging in size from 2 to 30 feet in height. One * company operated a spraying plant using three colors, frosted, silvered and valley green The sprayed trees, usually of the smaller sizes, arc shipped in crates. The companies have managers on the grounds in July leasing stuinpagc and arranging other details. The work continues until Christmas. The larger company has 95 cutters, 20 yardmen and 10 inspectors from the local communi­ ty. Many local men have been sent into new territory as district man­ agers. The company buys trees from as far distan: as 40 miles, which takes them into British Columbia During the height of the season trucks arc busy 24 hours a day bring­ ing trees to the railroad at Eureka. Due to careful cutting of trees, this industry is expected to last indefinitely and Eureka is looking forward to a brighter future because of it. Reprinted from the December 31, 1936 issue of the Big Timber Pioneer. C h r i s t m a s f u n o n a w a r s h i p “If I can’t be at my own home,” remarked a navy officer the other day, “I’d rather spend the holiday season on a vessel down in the Caribbean than in the greatest city of the land. Fun? Why. you don’t know what fun is until you come to one of our celebrations!” He told of many such celebra­ tions, beginning with a musical comedy given by the crew of a protected cruiser off a South American port.wmding up with a Christmas tree. It was a big tree, too, one that anybody might have envied, and the sailors had made a trip ten miles inland to get it on the previous day. From every branch there hung gifts for the diners. Just as the big tree was fastened into place there appeared through the high window a real Santa Claus Down a chimney-like opening he crawled, finally leaping upon the table with such force that half a dozen glasses went crashing to the floor. Amid the applause Santa Claus proceeded to award the presents. Reprinted from the December 23, 1915 issued o f the Big Timber Pioneer.