By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.

NEPEAN Times says that Saturday night was certainly one of the liveliest spent in Penrith for a very long while on Christmas Eve in 1887. Shortly after 8 o’clock High street was crowded and continued to be until midnight, the various business places doing a roaring trade. Leaving the railway station about 9 o’clock we were determined to see how our various businessmen and women were doing, paying special attention to our own friends the advertisers. The results of Saturday night’s business must have astonished the most sanguine of our tradesmen, especially those who have grumbled so much lately of the dullness of times. Every branch of trade appeared to be thriving except the undertakers and we were pleased with that at any rate. Leaving the station, we first had a look in at the Red Cow hotel where they were doing a roaring trade and with very great difficulty managed to drink Mr and Mrs Smith’s health. Friend Seymour on the opposite side was at his wits end. The shop was chock full and he and his assistants were as busy as nailers. Griffiths was also well filled. Alex Frew was also busy and there were several angry ones who gave him some “cast iron” prayers for having to wait for their Christmas suits. Of course, everybody knows Alex Frew’s name, where he  lives and that he makes clothes and mends them and that every customer of his gets his 20 cents worth for his £1. “Gossy’s” tobacco store was driving a good trade and was as happy as a sand boy. W Reddan and Mrs Glasscock were fairly busy but the Salvation Army and some broken down troubadours drew the greatest crowd on the opposite side. Passing down towards Riley street we noticed that P Reddan was doing fairly well. Horstmann was very busy and Stanton was also doing a fair trade. Realff and Sharp’s natty hairdressing shop was the centre of attraction in this locality and they were kept as busy as could be. We then turned our attention to High street east after spending a few minutes redeemed with the “Army”. George Nash’s new store was a source of considerable attraction and many had to wait for upwards of an hour to have their wants supplied. Shelberg appeared to be very slack but Joe Hill the tailor was kept busy putting the last fitting touches on sundry Christmas suits. Mrs Watson was fairly busy and Morgan’s shop on the opposite side was fairly thronged, in fact his shop and that of G Nash was a great attraction.  Mrs Fisher did but little, and Hatton’s shop adjoining was full. Saturday night must have been an exceedingly profitable one for Mr Hatton and he deserved it too. Tom Doyle was very busy, in fact too busy to wish us a merry Christmas. Judges’ chemist premises that was brilliantly illuminated was also the source of considerable attraction and unusually busy, the principal business being done in Christmas cards and perfumery as people don’t want much physic for Christmas. Judges Bros were also busy and there appeared to be as many waiting outside to be served as there were in and the shop was full. Passing on then to Mrs Spence’s premises we were surprised at the amount of business she was doing in newspapers for Christmas reading. Next we came to was Benaud’s jewellery store who was also busy with his show of novelties in jewellery etc, certainly as good as any metropolitan house. Learmont’s establishment was full up and there were numbers waiting, in fact he and his assistants were so busy during the day that they had no time to have their meals. The same can be said of Fulton’s, for the immense establishment with an extra number of assistants was thronged throughout the day. W & E Fulton are the people who make very large purchases of drapery etc before the Customs duties are stuck on by the Protectionist policy. They are in fact prophets in their own country and they prophecy loudly too. They say to those about to get married, buy our furniture, to those about to travel,  buy our portmanteaus, Gladstone bags and to those who want clothing, come to us and get material of the latest cut and fashion. To those who want groceries and new fruit for Christmas, “buy, eat and ye shall be full”. Surely these are invitations at which a King could not avail nor a real live Lord find fault, nay even the great cricketer Grace would grasp at opportunities such as these. Smeaton’s Christmas boots and shoe store did a rattling trade as did Charlie Smith. Then nothing of any importance occurred until we reached Worboys. Have you heard about Davey Worboys’ Phoenix Fire Office.  No fires at Christmas if the humpy’s insured. This establishment was well filled and the purchases made there on Santa Claus’ account must have astonished the proprietor. On to J & J Cleeve’s immense establishment was well filled with an eager anxious throng. Good’s hotel did a big trade as did Mrs Bird. Kenny’s establishment was well filled and they did a capital days business. William Orth’s saddle and buggy harness store was not very busy at night but throughout the day he had been kept going. He’s a good sort of fellow too. If fathers require straps to settle up with the “nippers” for eating too much Christmas pudding, our friend Orth will only be too pleased to supply them, and as for saddles, harness, etc., well there’s nothing like his stock out of Sydney. We did a miss at the lock-up, but that establishment we were pleased to say did but little business. Passing onto Neales’ large shop which was well filled and they did great business. Henry Neale of High Street East has as usual put in his Christmas supply of drapery, millinery, fancy goods, grocery, cutlery, crockery and boots and shoes, in fact his warehouse is the repository of everything from the proverbial needle to the anchor and those who call on him may be relied upon to leave the shop with a gratified countenance and a large pile of purchases under either arm. Next we visited Walmsley’s commercial hotel and the landlord greeted us with a smile and wished us a very merry Christmas. He was doing a roaring trade and was happy and jolly as could be. On our return we called in at Jack Costin’s to have our face fixed up for Christmas.  Christmas shaves and cuts are booming now brighter than ever but judge our surprise at 11pm to find over 20 waiting!. He informed us that he had not a mouthful to eat since 7am that morning. We managed to get fixed up at about midnight and retired looking forward to a bright and merry Christmas on the following day. In St Marys it was Old English roast beef at Garner’s butchery, there are few who have not heard of William Garner of St. Marys. Christmas beef,. Christmas ham, Christmas everything can be obtained from him and Morris’s store for Christmas supplies and who is it that has not heard of Henry Wake the St Marys photographer, picture framer, etc. If you want a sign board or a dray-plate, or your name set into your gravestone, he’ll do all these things with the greatest of pleasure, and we never saw a man who would give a better price for hides, sheepskins, tallow and bones than Andy Thompson of the St Marys tannery.

Source: From the pages of Nepean Times.