Decatur County Journal Leon, Iowa Thursday, December 14, 1911 Leon people and the people of the entire county as well are quite generally obeying the oft repeated command to "do Christmas shopping early." Leon merchants report an unusually heavy holiday business during the past few days and say that the people are doing their buying earlier than in some years and that their purchases are considerably heavier than usual. Business is rushing at all the stores and if Decatur County people are not prosperous Christmas shopping is no criterion of prosperity. The Christmas spirit is everywhere. There is the Christmas gladness about the people you meet and best of all they are mostly bent upon buying early to avoid the rush. Business is good and Leon merchants are pleased. Toyland in the various stores is the Mecca of many and few fail to buy a bit of brightly painted wood, iron or tin for some dear little one. Then there are eager shoppers inspecting the displays of cut glass, of jewelry, of furniture, stoves and household articles, books, musical instruments, furs, wearing apparel and gift goods of various kinds. Business is at the top notch at the candy departments and quantities of the sweetmeats are already being purchased for the holidays. The clothing men are enjoying the impetus of trade caused by Christmas too, and gifts for father and the boys are being sold in large quantities. The stores will all be open evenings until after Christmas in order that those who desire to do so can do shopping at night. The stocks of holiday goods in Leon this year are certainly fine and in great variety. ---------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert December 24, 2009 [email protected] This was fun to read and share -- good news for a change... No concerns about health care reform... Ha...