More Letters to Santa - 1904

 

Throughout the years, boys and girls have taken the time to send their special requests to Santa Claus. These letters were written and published in the newspaper during the year 1904. Let’s examine the requests of the young Robertson county Tennessee citizens and learn more about these individuals.

 

Dear Santa:

I am a little girl 10 years old and want you to please bring me some doll furniture, a story-book, a good ball, a china doll, a little washboard and tub, a kite that will go very high, also some watercolors and a brush, roman candles, sky rockets and fire crackers and a lot of good things to eat. Please don’t forget my little brother, papa and mama. Your little friend,

Winnie Fort, Adams, Tenn.

 

Dear Santa,

Please don’t forget your little 4 year old boy, please bring me a rocking-horse, a whip, a ball, a horn, a little train, a baby doll, a monkey that climbs a string, a bicycle, a pistol and some caps, some fire crackers and a sleigh for me and my sister to ride in, apples, oranges, nuts, candy and bananas and any thing else you want to give me. Your little boy,

Billie Fort, Jr.  , Adams, Tenn.

 

Winnie Virginia Fort and William Dancy ‘Billy’ Fort, Jr. were the children of William Dancy ‘Billy’ and Anna Hamlett Fort of Adams, Tennessee.

Winnie was interested in family history and recorded much of the Fort family history. “My grandfather, Eppa Lawson Fort, had been married before he married Elizabeth Dancy. Their three sons were Jack, Ilai and Sugg. Uncle Ilai married my grandmother’s sister, Charlotte, a most aristocratic old lady. To my childish eyes she looked exactly like Queen Victoria of England. I remember asking Aunt Charlotte why she could not be Queen Victoria now, as she looked so much like her! I don’t believe the suggestion was well received…”

Winnie was born 15 March 1894 at Maple Hill, near Adams. Her father, Billy Fort, died just before Winnie’s sixteenth birthday (1910). Six months later on 10 September, she married J. Comer Gardner. Comer was the twin brother of Miss Cullom Gardner. Comer and Cullom were the children of Thomas Irvin and Ida Whitehead Gardner.

Winnie Fort and Comer Gardner were the parents of three daughters. Mildred Winnie Gardner was born in 1911. She married Charles Wright, Jr. on 5 Jan 1935 in Houston, Texas. In an interview, Winnie recalled, “My daughter, Mildred was born in my old home, Maple Hill, in the same room, and even in the same bed!

Marjorie Comer Gardner was born in 1916 in Weakley County, Tennessee. In 1940, she married Randol Sterling Harrison from Cedar Hill. The Harrisons were the parents of one daughter, Mary Gail, and moved to Maryland.

The youngest daughter, Mary Fort Gardner, was born in 1917 in Weakley County, Tennessee. In 1936, she married Nathan Cope of Robertson County. To this couple was born one daughter Cynthia Cope, who lived in Clarksville. After Mr. Cope died, Mary Fort married Clarence Fletcher of Adams. Mrs. Fletcher died in 2013. .

Comer and Winnie Fort Gardner moved to Weakley county to take advantage of the excellent schools in the community. By 1920, the family lived at 303 8^th Avenue South in Nashville. Comer was working as a clerk for the newspaper. Winnie was maintaining a household with three small daughters.

In July 1920, Comer moved to Detroit, Michigan to work. Winnie and her daughters moved back to Robertson County with family. Comer hoped to come back quickly and move his family to Michigan. Whatever the circumstances were, Comer’s visit did not result in the family moving. By 1922, Winnie and Comer were divorced.

Mrs. Gardner went to Florida with her mother, Anna Fort. Winnie met and married a man from a pioneer Texas family. On December 9, 1922, Minor A. Hurst and Winnie Fort Gardner began their life together. Mr. Hurst worked for the Gulf Oil Corporation. He retired in 1954. Winnie Fort Hurst died in 1978 in McClennan County, Texas.

Billy Fort, Jr. was born 15 June 1900 at Maple Hill near Adams. Billy married Louise Johnson in 1925 and had two sons, William Dancy Fort, III and Robert Olin Fort. In 1946, William Dancy ‘Billy’ Fort, Jr. married Thelma Brown from Waco, Texas. They lived in Houston, where Mr. Fort was connected with the Citizens State Bank. He died in 1988 at McClennan County, Texas

 

Dear Santa Claus:

Please bring me an air gun, some story books, a pair of gloves, a suit of clothes and lots of good things to eat. Yours Truly,

Frank Huddleston,  Springfield, Tenn.

 

Frank Huddleston was born 20 October 1896 in Robertson County, Tennessee. He was the son of John M. and Ida Traughber Huddleston. The family lived in the Owens Chapel community.

Frank was inducted into the Army as a result of the World War I draft of 1918. He served with the 157^th Depot Brigade to August of 1918. He was sent to France with the 161^st Infantry, Company L and became part of the 165^th Infantry, Company G for the duration of his service. He was honorably discharged on 8 May 1919.

After returning to the community, Frank married a young lady named Beatrice in 1924. They had a son, John F. Huddleston and a daughter, Mary L. Huddleston. Frank’s father, John M Huddleston, lived with the family. They lived on Orlinda Road. Frank Huddleston died 10 November 1964 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

One hundred and seventeen years ago, young boys and girls were excited about the coming of the jolly old elf from the North Pole. Perhaps things are not as different as we often suggest. Children still provide the excitement and passion for holidays and our dearest memories are those from our childhood. May you and your family have a special holiday season filled with the joys of the season.

 

Sources: Nashville Banner (15 Dec 1904); A Family Called Fort (Fort, Jones); U.S. Census (1900, 1910, 1920, 1930); WWI Statement of Service Cards; Robertson Co. Tenn Cemeteries; Chancery Court records