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First Good Fellows in '77

Old Booklet Tells How World-Herald, 50
Years Ago, Fostered Spirit of Giving.

Distribution of Christmas gifts
to families of the poor in Omaha,
which has developed into the
present-day Good Fellow spirit,
was originated by The World-Herald
nearly 50 years ago, according
to a souvenir booklet
published in 1910 by the First
Presbyterian church in celebration
of the church's semicentennial
anniversary. The booklet is
in the collection of Henry Kieser.

Among the reminiscent articles
in the booklet is one by
Rev. William J. Harsha, pastor
of the church from 1877 to
1892. He wrote:

"The giving of gifts to the
poor of the city at Christmas
originated with The Omaha
World-Herald. I think it was
Mr. Peattie, at that time managing
editor, who conceived the
idea; or it may have been his
gifted wife, Elia W. Peattie. At
all events, our church was selected
as the distributor, and I
was glad to undertake the active
management of the distribution.
Mrs. Peattie accompanied me on
many a trip of exploration, and
it may be that a part, at least,
of her well-known interest in the
struggles of the poor sprang into
life as the result of what she
saw. The World-Herald gave us
unlimited support, as indeed did
members of all the churches of
the city, although ours took the
lead."

Continuing, Dr. Harsh wrote:
"There were two movements
during my pastorate to which I
look with peculiar pleasure. One
was the inauguration of a practical
interest in the American Indians
and the other was the custom
of distributing gifts at
Christmas time to the poor children
of the city. One was nationwide
and the other but local
in its nature, yet both resulted
in such good as may well be remembered
at this holiday season,
the one contributing to 'peace
on earth' and the other to good 'good
will among men.' "

First Good Fellows in '77

Old Booklet Tells How World-Herald, 50 Years Ago, Fostered Spirit of Giving.

Distribution of Christmas gifts to families of the poor in Omaha, which has developed into the present-day Good Fellow spirit, was originated by The World-Herald nearly 50 years ago, according to a souvenir booklet published in 1910 by the First Presbyterian church in celebration of the church's semicentennial anniversary. The booklet is in the collection of Henry Kieser.

Among the reminiscent articles in the booklet is one by Rev. William J. Harsha, pastor of the church from 1877 to 1892. He wrote:

"The giving of gifts to the poor of the city at Christmas originated with The Omaha World-Herald. I think it was Mr. Peattie, at that time managing editor, who conceived the idea; or it may have been his gifted wife, Elia W. Peattie. At all events, our church was selected as the distributor, and I was glad to undertake the active management of the distribution. Mrs. Peattie accompanied me on many a trip of exploration, and it may be that a part, at least, of her well-known interest in the struggles of the poor sprang into life as the result of what she saw. The World-Herald gave us unlimited support, as indeed did members of all the churches of the city, although ours took the lead."

Continuing, Dr. Harsh wrote:
"There were two movements during my pastorate to which I look with peculiar pleasure. One was the inauguration of a practical interest in the American Indians and the other was the custom of distributing gifts at Christmas time to the poor children of the city. One was nationwide and the other but local in its nature, yet both resulted in such good as may well be remembered at this holiday season, the one contributing to 'peace on earth' and the other to good 'good will among men.' "