"Captain Santa" sailed Christmas trees to Chicago until he disappeared in 1912

In the late 1800s Chicago families bought their Christmas trees from the decks of schooners that had ferried them across Lake Michigan. In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll meet Herman Schuenemann, known as 'Captain Santa,' who brought Christmas to the city for 30 years until a fateful storm overtook him.
We'll also peruse some possums and puzzle over a darkening phone.
Show notes
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