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Volume 059-4 - October 2005 (8 pages)
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Page: of 8
The former home of Abel H. and Caroline Hanson at Neal
and South Church streets in Grass Valley is a registered
county landmark. In 1995 Manzanita Parlor #39,
Daughters of the Golden West, and Quartz Parlor #58,
Native Sons of the Golden West, placed a plaque here to
honor Caroline Mead Hanson, “whose idea sparked the
annual Donation Day ....”’ (Photo courtesy of the Nevada
County Historical Landmarks Commission.)
fate or the physician’s skill, George recovered.
The Hanson family left Nevada County before the turn of
the new century, as did many old pioneer families, for the
«> better opportunities that a metropolitan city could offer.
They joined the Mead family in San Francisco, and in July
1899 Caroline Mead Hanson died in that city. Abel H. died
a few years later on April 3, 1901.
Years after Caroline’s death, Mrs. M. F. Rowe, living in
Alameda, California, wrote a very long poem entitled
“Donation Day in Grass Valley” that was published in the
Grass Valley Morning Union on January 4, 1918.
Long years ago in this mountain town,
Lives one, whose heart has tender grown
To the needs of others. From her small store
She gladly gave to the worthy poor
But Oh! her offering looked so small
It hardly seemed to help at all
What could one woman do alone?
When an invalid’s chair was her royal throne?
So she thought and thought, till at last a plan
Came to her mind as it only can
When one in earnest seeks to know,
Just what to do and which way to go.
So, as the Christmas time drew near.—
The happiest time of all the year,
When peace, goodwill and love abound,
When earth is filled with joyful found,—
She planned that the children, one and all,
Should give to others a present small:
NCHS Bulletin October 2005
As they to school should wend their way,
Upon that happy closing day
Each child a stick of wood should bring,
And a big potato—his offering;
That some less fortunate girl or boy,
Might share with him in the Christmas joy.
Oh! but that was a gala day!
Spectators all along the way
Watching the urchins march to school
Led and encouraged by Love’s sweet rule.
Each child striving to do is best
To bring something bigger than all the rest.
Next year the merchants joined the throng
Trudging with happy hearts along:
With a sack of flour,—a generous ham,—
A side of bacon,—a leg of lamb.—
Anything, everything good to eat,
From codfish and beans, to cookies sweet.
Others came with shoes and hose,
Hats and caps—warm woolen clothes.—
That when the Storm King grew too bold,
The aged and children should not be cold.
Each year brought more gifts, great and small,
Till teams were needed to carry them all;
And the people, jubilant and gay,
Decided to have the town band play.
So every year on Donation Day,
A long procession winds its way,
Thro’ all the busy streets of town,
And happy throngs pass up and down,
While the band plays, and the children sing
As they give so gladly, “Love’s offering.”
And she who started this lovely game
We wonder how many know her name,
It matters not,—the Master knows,
And His “Inasmuch” was meant for those
Who of their lives an offering make,
And do His bidding for sweet Love’s sake.
Long, long ago the Master said,
“The poor ye have with you, in my stead
Give to thy store that they may be fed.”
And for Thy dear sake, O, gracious Lord,
We give of that which Thou hast stored,
In depths of earth, whether gleaming gold,
Or the wealth of grains and fruits untold,
And because Thou needed not our store
We lovingly give to Thy worthy poor.
Nevada City adopted Donation Day in 1902, and the
fame of this unique local tradition spread. In 1904 the city
of Durango, Colorado, adopted the event, which later
spread to cities all across the country.