Letter from George F. Fisher to Ann F. Fisher, etc., Dec. 26, 1886

Home Dec. 26th 1886.

Dear Mother, Brother + Sisters

Sister's letter of 21st with enclosure came Friday and the Package came by express Christmas afternoon. We have all had a truly merry christmas and while the condition of my finances would permit me to do but little for the children they were highly favored by others. The baby seemed to take an unusual interest in the red Doll. Gracie seemed more pleased with the little dishes than all the rest though after the excitement she will come into the enjoyment of Book + colored crayons. Fay, May & Frankie are much pleased with the beautiful silk [?] & albums the autographs adding a positive interest to the latter.

I think the Cuff Holders are beautiful I can scarcely believe that Mother made them, they must have required so much time & patience. I will furnish them tomorrow with Sister's generous contribution. I will tell you how we spent Christmas Day -

We had an old fashioned visit from Santa Clause the children all hanging their stockings at the Parlor mantel five in number, down in size to the wee baby sock. The children were up at 6 1/2 Christmas morning dancing around in bare feet & night clothes with their rare, to them, treasures. After breakfast, Frankie went to the Toboggan slide & skating rink. I followed at 10 am, after a few slides down 50 ft then out 1000 ft in 19 seconds, I sent Frankie for Sadie Wilson & May & Fay, they came & we had some grand sport, all of us going down on one Toboggan. I was a little afraid at first but when the danger feeling wore off the exciting fun commenced. We stopped with the stroke of the bell at 12 in the close of the morning session, feeling we had a fine morning's sport. Dinner at one. Hughes, Lula & Florence thought they would come down in the forenoon but they did not much to our disappointment. Coz. Mary Wilmarth had issued

invitations to all of the relatives to come to the house on Christmas day. I enclose list of those present. We had two surprises Coz. Ben Clark & Arthur Clark arrived at midnight and Charlie Kempton came from Milwaukee at 4 P.M. The house was beautifully decorated. A Christmas tree was in the back parlor, built well into the candle [chandr?], the blinds were closed & Gas lighted all day. On the front Parlor table a Christmas bell of red flowers hung in a frame of green white on a bank of green for the base "Merry Xmas" in red flowers, was a beautiful emblem - refreshments served all day in the Library. Now for something characteristic of Coz. Mary - While she was abroad she thought of each of the children and had a beautiful Y appropriate present for each and the older ones were not forgotten each brought away some reminder of her first trip to Europe. Mine was beautiful & very valuable

Cigar Holder. Frankie had wood block maps of all the continents & some countries. May a Book "little people of Asia " Fay a magic work box complete in its appointments Gracie a doll in bathing suit. I looked over her folio of Photos & engravings of the chief items of interest at the various places she visited. Anna has grown into a large girl, is not pretty but looks strong & healthy. Coz. Mary brought over with her a very dear friend she made in Dresden who will remain with her for a time. We returned on the 5:00 train and found a package from the Wilsons and yours awaiting us. After tea we pinned up a sheer across the doors bet. parlor & Library to give Frankie an opportunity to show his Magic Lantern views, a present from his Uncle Hughes, so the day was full with happiness to all. I thought of you & wondered how the day passed with you. All of the children have been around me since I commenced saying tell Grandma this all seem grateful & with love & wishes for a happy new year. Geo. F. Fisher.

List of members of the Smith family & decendants present at Mary H. Wilmarth's, Chicago, Dec. 25/86 Kempton: L. D. Kempton Charles H. S. Kempton Carrie K. Sherman Johnathan Sherman Anna Sherman LeRoy Sherman Osrow Sherman

Morse: Mary Morse Carl Pierce Ada Pierce

Hawes: Shubael H. Hawes Mrs. Hawes Nannie Hawes Lilly Hawes Mary J. Wilmarth Anna Wilmarth