Delaware Co. PAGenWeb Archives Newspapers  Chester Times  29 Dec 1883 
Pretty Christmas Trees & Other Local Observations

Contributed to PAGenWeb Archives by Laurie <larzemail@yahoo.com>

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Chester Times, Saturday, December 29, 1883

PRETTY CHRISTMAS TREES.
Uplands Displays of Rare Evergreens and Precious Toys.

Never before in the history of the thriving little borough of Upland was there 
such an interest taken in the display of Christmas trees, as there has been at 
this particular season. Many of the families have endeavored to excel each other 
in the beauty of decorating and the manner of arranging these emblems of merry 
Christmas time. Not only have the children been awakened to the importance of 
taking an active interest in the manner, but the older ones, parents, sisters 
and brothers, have given a helping hand and went to work with a spirit which 
characterized them in their younger days. 
One of the finest displays on Main street is that in the parlor of John REA. 
The tree itself is a beauty, with its snow-bedecked branches and fancy 
ornamentations; but the most attractive and charmingly interesting part of the 
display is the miniature cottage erected upon a table in front of the parlor 
window. This is the handiwork of Miss Maggie, a daughter of Mr. REA, whose taste 
and judgement in the arrangement of all the appointments of the structure, is 
deserving of praise.  The building is enclosed by a small yard, with natural 
looking gravel walks, beds of flowers and pretty lawn. 
Its beauty is more striking at night, when the room has been properly 
illuminated, and many are the little ones that gather in front of the windows to 
gaze upon and admire the lovely scene. John ARDIN, living on the same street, 
has a nicely trimmed tree, as has also Frank SAWYER and Thomas HALL. Lewis 
LAMBERT, residing a few yards away, can boast of a pretty cottage design, in 
addition to an attractive tree. Then there are those of Lewis ALBRAND, George 
WATERSON, Thomas KELLY, and Joseph HANEY, on Second street, and William 
SCHOFIELD on Upland Avenue, and John W. PARSONS, prinicipal of the High School, 
who lives on Ninth street. William MILLS, on First street, and John GREENAWAY, 
on Hill street, have fine displays. This friendly rivalry has been the means of 
calling forth much admiration on the part of those who are determined to do 
likewise in the years that are to come.

OTHER LOCAL OBSERVATIONS.

It is currently reported that at least two of the Upland mills will run on 
shorter time in a few days, by not lighting up.

Rev. Mr. WILMARTH, a prominent divine of Roxbury, Pa., will preach at the 
Baptist Church to-morrow morning and evening. He is said to be an excellent 
expounder of the word of God.

All business pertaining to the works of the Crozer Steel and Iron Company, 
located at Roanoke, Virginia, is transacted at the company's offices in Upland, 
where two clerks are employed especially for that purpose.

Without the shadow of a doubt, the marriage fever has visited the borough within 
the past two weeks to such an extent that is has become contagious. 
Two weeks ago Samuel MILLS was married to Miss Maggie GILSTON by Rev. Thomas 
KELLY of Trinity M. E. Church. That was the signal for several others, as the 
following will show conclusively: On Sunday evening George BLAIR gave himself 
away, vowing eternal support and protection to his blushing bride, Miss Maggie 
CROOK, at her parents' residence. Dr. JOHNSON of Crozer Seminary performed the 
ceremony. On Monday evening, Alfred BLAIR, George's brother, could stand it no 
longer, so he took his best girl, Miss Maggie RUSSELL, and introduced her to 
Rev. Mr. RUDOLPH of the Methodist Church. And now, he is a married man. Upon the 
same evening, Mr. RUDOLPH was called upon to perform the same ceremony, but for 
two different persons. John SPENCE, by the cords of matrimony, was bound to Miss 
Ida BROWN at the residence of that young lady's parents.

Again--this time at Washington, D.C.--Councilman William P. MARIS, of Upland, to 
Miss Lillian P. HART, of Washington. The ceremony took place on Wednesday in the 
presence of immediate relatives and friends, and the couple returned to Upland 
on Thursday, and will reside at the residence of the groom on Main street. Miss 
HART, the bride, was formerly a teacher in the Upland schools, and is a very 
estimable lady. The groom is too well known to be commented upon, and his 
friends and aquaintances are now looking forward to that special meeting of 
Council.

The schools at the present time are in full operation, just the same as if there 
was no such thing as vacation. Monday and Tuesday were the only holidays allowed 
the pupils, which was suffiently long to allow them to hold an interview with 
Santa Claus.

Coasting on the various hills which abound in the borough, is the principal 
amusement of the small boy in the day time, and delights the heart of the big 
boy and some other fellow's sister at night. As yet there has been no bones 
broken, but the doctors hang around those places with an anxious look upon their 
faces.

The street cars are again running every half hour and the people are happy.

Several young men have lately been seen carrying horns about in their coat 
pockets, which is but a timely warning for the newly-married ones to be on the 
alert.