From: "Katharina Hines
Hi,
I have been ask allot of times about the pickle in the christmas tree.
I grown up in Germany (in the more northern part) but never heard any thing
about a pickle. So I started to check the story out.
Because I always were told you are from Germany and don't know about this
tradition.
The tradition may be an American one, through of German descent.
John Lower, who was born 1842 in Bavaria, came with his family to America.
He fought in the American Civil War. John was captured and send to prison in
Anderson ville, Georgia. If you know your American history, you can guess as
to the conditions. In poor health and starving, he begged a guard for just
one pickle before he died.
The guard found pity on him and found a pickle for John.
John said later, to the grace of god-- gave im strength to live on.
Once he was united with his family he began a tradition of hiding a pickle
on the christmas tree. The first person who found the pickle christmas
morning would be blessed with the year of good fortune.Katharina