Look Back: Holiday guests, gifts on offer in Parkersburg
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Good News For Everybody
Santa Claus to come in Person to Parkersburg -- Elaborate Arrangements for his Reception. Special Telephone Message to the Press.
North Pole, Dec.1st -- Dear people of Parkersburg, Belpre and Wood County: I have good news for you, my friends. I love you better than I ever did before, and you have no idea of the happy and agreeable surprises I have in store for you. I will not send any delegate to Parkersburg this year, but will come in person with all my court and courtiers, and with all my ships, vessels and cars, loaded with presents and holiday goods, made expressly for you by my people of the North Pole. I leave tonight for your great city, having made especial arrangements with the U.S. Government to carry me and all my people, by special post haste to the lovely Oil City of West Virginia. I am due in Parkersburg late Sunday evening and will be found early Monday morning, December 6th, on Third Street, in the mammoth jewelry establishment of Gust. E. Smith, who will take pleasure in showing the many novelties for the holidays in his line which I will bring, and who has promised to take good care of me until New Year comes, when I must return to my Glacial Home and work hard, so as to be ready to visit you again next year. Santa Claus.
[Note: Apparently Santa did not make an appearance in Parkersburg for Christmas in 1886. The Parkersburg Press, a weekly publication, whose first issue was December 2, 1886, the same date as this item, kept advancing the date of his appearance, making no mention of Santa's appearance through the December 23 issue.]
The Parkersburg Press
Dec. 2, 1886
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Simply Immense
The annual opening for the holidays at Sigler's is reckoned an event in feminine circles in Parkersburg. This year it is of more than usual importance, for in addition to the new goods just received, Mr. Sigler is closing his entire stock of Fall and Winter goods. A glance at the following low prices will convince our readers that it is worth their while to call and see Mr. Sigler. 100 straw hats at 25c each, worth $1.00; 100 wool felts at 65c each, worth $1.00; 100 fur felts at $1.00 each, former price $1.50; 100 fine imported French felts at $1.75 each, former price $2.50; 200 bunches of black ostrich tips at 25c each, former price 50c; 400 bunches colored tips at 50c each; 100 boxes of fancy feathers sold at one half their value; 200 yards silk velvets, all desirable shades, at $1.00 per yard; 200 yards moleskin plushies, suitable for millinery and dress trimmings at $1.35, worth $2.00.
The ladies are requested to call and make their selections now while the stock is complete
The Parkersburg Press
Dec. 16, 1886
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A Liberal Offer
Beautiful and expensive holiday presents for the young and old are to be given away at Spence's music and art store. I have purchased one thousand Everett photo puzzles, which are something very handsome and will be appreciated; also one thousand copies of choice high priced music. Every purchaser at my store will be given a puzzle and a copy of this choice music. This is a very extravagant and expensive advertisement but I believe in doing things handsomely as will be acknowledged by the public in my many liberal ways in advertising.
Respectfully, G.L. Spence
The Parkersburg Press
Dec. 23, 1886
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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.