From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Dec. 26, 1912:

• “There were no empty stockings in Lawrence yesterday. The various organizations of Good Fellows saw to that and they did their work well, so well that the Christmas spirit prevailed everywhere yesterday…. In keeping with the season the Good Fellows provided candies and toys for the little folks who live in the poor homes of the city where Christmas often does not mean much. They played Santa Claus to these little folks and convinced them that there is really a good saint who comes at Christmas time and makes the hearts of the little boys and girls glad. But they did not forget the others and everywhere in Lawrence yesterday there was a splendid Christmas dinner spread, thanks to the Good Fellows, especially those of the Salvation Army.”
• “Seventy-six baskets of dinner were given away by the Salvation Army yesterday to cheer the homes of the poor of the city who faced a cold and gloomy Christmas. Many a home was cheered yesterday when Capt. Morris or one of his assistants knocked at the door and passed in a well-filled basket to provide for the Christmas table. It is estimated that each of these baskets weighed over 50 pounds. Each of them contained enough provisions for six dinners and some of them contained more. Special cases were especially cared for. Old folks were given a special portion. A number of families were found to be in need of clothing and one family was found where old Saint Nick had missed the stockings and toys were hastily produced and given the little ones in the home. Each basket contained potatoes, turnips, onions, apples, rice, salt, butter, beans, a piece of salt pork, cabbage, coffee, cranberries, celery, canned fruit, jelly, bread and a chicken. In a number of others there were oranges and pie and cake. In addition to this about five gallons of milk were given, Three restaurant dinners were bought by the army for unfortunates discovered in need. Capt. Morris and his assistants worked for two days getting the baskets ready and then they began the distribution at 4 o’clock on Christmas morning. Autos were furnished by David Babb and O. H. McQuary and the dinners were delivered in these.”
• “Four years ago G. O. Ballard lost his trunk in the Kansas river in the flood and diligent search failed to find it. This week the trunk was located in the river opposite Perry and the owner notified. He came down, identified it and was rejoiced to get his trunk returned.”
• “Death this morning at 5:30 claimed Nathan Miller, an aged negro who for the last 26 years had been a janitor on the hill. Death was due to general debility. The funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon from the Warren Street Baptist Church. ‘Nate’ Miller was a very familiar figure on the hill. He was known by practically every student in school and he will be greatly missed by them. He was liked by all of them and for years he always had his place in the university annual. He was a veteran of the civil war having been a member of Company H of the 83rd Regiment of Union Colored Volunteer Infantry. He was born in Madison, Kentucky, January 9, 1848.”