Anonymous

The Anarchist’s Christmas

This poem was credited to the Minneapolis Journal by the Passaic Daily News, December 20, 1901. Most anarchists were not bomb throwers, but the 1886 Haymarket Square Riot in Chicago, attempted assassination of industrialist Henry Clay Frick in 1892 during the Homestead Steel strike, and the September 1901 assassination of President William McKinley made a deep impression, made deeper by yellow journalism. The murderous, punitive character recalls earlier depictions of St. Nicholas bearing both gifts and a switch, reuniting in one the benevolent Santa Claus with his dangerous companions like Krampus.

Twas the night before Christmas,

The anarchist’s house

Was dark, and the anarch

Was still as a mouse,

 

A sheet-iron bombshell

Was fixed up with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas

Soon would be there.

 

But St. Nick was crafty,

He knew what would come,

So down the brick chimney

He dropped a large bomb.

He had told Mrs. Santa

He thought that he must

Give this anarch the joy

Of a great Christmas “bust”.

 

So this capsule exploded

And blew up the place,

Bringing smiles of good cheer

To the anarchist’s face.

 

 

 

 

GRIM TRAGEDY ENDS BELSNICKLING PARTY.

—

NEW BLOOMFIELD, Pa., Jan. 2.—Word has been received here that last evening, while a party of boys were out belsnickling going from house to house in Buffalo township, one of the party had a revolver.

After the boys left the home of Isaiah Stephens, the revolver was accidentally discharged, the ball striking James Finton, Jr., son of A. R. Finton, in the forehead, killing him instantly.

Philadelphia Inquirer, January 3, 1900

——————

 

SAD CASUALTY.—We are pained to learn that a little son of J. B. Taplin, of this place, about 7 years of age, was so badly burned on Christmas morning, as to cause his death a day or two afterwards. The little fellow had arisen before day, to see what magic Santa Claus had been working for him, and accidentally set fire to his nightclothes with the candle. His screams brought his terrified parents to his relief; but too late to save him.

Portage Sentinel, January 12, 1853