By Dr. Ferrell MillerGeary County Historical Society Board Member“A Visit To Santa Claus in 1911”Many of us enjoy watching and listening to children perform carols and other music at school programs or church during this season.&nbsp; That was also true of those who&nbsp;attended a Sunday School play on Christmas Eve in 1911.&nbsp;The Christmas play, “A Visit To Santa Claus” took place at the Methodist Church in&nbsp;Junction City on December 24, 1911.&nbsp; A large crowd was present to see the children dressed in bright colors and to hear the humorous sayings of Santa Claus.&nbsp; The audience’s laughter was proof they enjoyed themselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The first act was presented by the Sunday School classes.&nbsp; They planned to visit Santa,&nbsp;because his sleigh had broken down and two of his reindeer were lame.&nbsp; There didn’t seem to be a way to help Santa so he could deliver the presents to all the good little girls and boys.&nbsp;&nbsp;The next scene took place in the home of Santa.&nbsp; The Sunday School group of children arrived to help Santa by placing wheels on Santa’s sleigh.&nbsp; This brought laughter from the little ones in the audience.&nbsp;&nbsp;The chorus songs, solos, duets and trios showed that a great deal of practice had taken place before the performance.&nbsp; At the close of the play a generous treat was given and all went home happy, feeling the evening’s entertainment was indeed a merry way to enjoy Christmas Eve at the Methodist Church.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Geary County Historical Society hopes you enjoy this season with your family and friends.&nbsp; May your “every wish comes true.”“Beware of Scams”A new version of the worthless check game was perpetrated in Junction City in 1915 by a stranger who gave his name as A.J. Wilson. This Mr. Wilson was immaculately dressed, wore a diamond stud and carried a suitcase.&nbsp; While in the Mayden Feed and Coal Store, he ordered two tons of coal to be sent to his home. He gave his address and wrote a check for a considerable amount and received $17.50 in change.&nbsp;When the deliveryman delivered the coal he found there was no house at that address and an investigation began.&nbsp; It was found that the check was worthless and the man had taken a streetcar to Manhattan, Kansas.&nbsp;Sheriff Harbes was notified and caught the next interurban in hot pursuit.&nbsp; This Mr. Wilson, or as he called himself, caught the same car and the sheriff was convinced he had his man.&nbsp; It seems Wilson went to Fort Riley on the first car and not directly to Manhattan as had been earlier thought.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Sheriff, who had caught Wilson and taken him into custody, got off to catch the next car back to Junction City.&nbsp; As they were going from one car to another, Wilson slipped out of his overcoat and in the darkness dodged behind a building. He jumped two fences and disappeared into the cornfields.&nbsp; His overcoat and grip were brought back to Junction City. Six pictures of Wilson were found in his grip. The pictures showed Wilson in a fighting pose, sporting a regulation boxing ring costume.&nbsp; The Sheriff commented that Wilson appeared to be more of a sprinter than a boxer.&nbsp;The next day’s newspaper reported that Wilson had been captured in Manhattan and taken to a Shawnee County Jail.&nbsp; Wilson had committed identical offenses in Topeka and so was turned over to the authorities there, which saved Junction City about $200 in costs to keep him in jail and prosecute him.Even today we must remain vigilant to a variety of scammers.&nbsp; Enjoy the holiday season, but also be alert to those who would take advantage for their own personal gain.

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