From the Lawrence Daily World for Dec. 22, 1907: “Santa Claus has begun to pay his visits to local stores and in several cases there were sleighs with ‘reindeer’ in use. Most merchants are expecting a great year for sales and downtown activity and the economy here, as it is throughout Kansas, seems to be doing very well. : All churches, as usual, are planning special holiday events and, as usual, crowds will be larger than at any time of the year except for perhaps Easter. : This is to be one of the saddest holidays ever for those eastern towns where mining accidents have caused so many deaths and so much sorrow. Local church-goers are praying for them and their welfare.”