The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1875-12-02
THANKSGIVING.
How the People Of the MetrOpO
lis Rendered Thanks.
Various Dinners, Entertain
ments, Banquets Etc.
Very Few Fights, Disturbances
or Rows Of any Kind.

Thanksgiving day was evidently invent
ed for the purpose of allowing the citizens
OF this glorious free Republic an opportuni-
ty Of returning thanks Tor the benefits be-
slowed upon them during the year just gone.
The inhabitants OF the metropolis, no two
being alike, and no: being possessed OF the
came temperaments, have, as a natural con-
sequence, different ways OF celebrating this
national holiday. Some delight in fat ,ur-
keys and mince pies; Others, more frugal,
are content with the traditional roast beef
and plum pudding some take pleasure in
getting drunk, raising a row, and paying
the allotted fine the next morning at the
Police Court, and 50 on, till the end OF the
chapter.
TIE DAY GENERALLY
was passed in quiet manner by the ma
jority of our citizens, so quietly, in fact,
that the police had little or nothing TO do.
There were, of course. lew rows and dis
turbances, but they were generally OF a
minor character, with no serious results
Nearly everyone was at home, and the usu-
al places OF resort were comparatively de-
serted. No public demonstrations, ban
quets, dinner,, suppers. ETC., were given In
the city, each family deyotiDg itself to it,
own private turkey. At the Military pris
on and the State penitentiary, dinner was
given to the convicis, which was most heart
lily enjoyed by these unfortunates.
AT THE PESITESTIARY.
Thanksgiving in the Pen itentiary was
observed in letter and spirit.
Judge Brewer and Hon. J. w. Taylor |
each delivered short orations I; the Judge |
showed for what we they could be thank |
full, putting ii in his own happy, poetical |
way, and Mr.. Taylor discussed "The Battle /
Of Life" in his logical, eloquent style.
Both speeches were masterpieces, and ellie
tied much praise. The music which Prot. |
pianist, and Miss Bradley,
Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. WEIGH, Mr.. Levitt and
Mr.. Stout, as vocalists, was rare treat.
Not only the prisoners, but all who heard,
will ever feel grateful to them for it.
The literary and musical entertainment
was sandwiched with most beautiful din
ner, which both the bond and free felt
for. The afternoon exercises con-
sisted O. sacred music, scripture reading,
PRAYER and talk by the chaplain J. y.
McCleery, and the formal services closed.
supper for the prisoners and others who
desired, when tie one marched TO his cell,
md was locked up for the night. The other
tepped out through the iron door into the
reedom of the wide, wide world. How
lifferent! Witnessing what could be seen
# the management of the institution, call
d forth the admiration OF everyone
,resent.
The harmony of the officials, from the .
east to the greatest, the perfect decorum Of
he men, all indicated the wisdom of the ,
Under the present regime, ,
Violently the convicts are bettered, and the
tate not much the loser.
AT THE MILITARY PRISON, =
splendid banquet was given to the couvicts
q the grand dining-room of the prison,
hitch was one of the biggest affairs ever
itnessed at the post. At four o clock the
onyicts, nearly two hundred and fifty in
lumber, were marched into the hall, where I
ne repast was awaiting them. 1t was a {
ovel and an interesting eight TO see such q
n assemblage of men observing 1hanksgiv- -,
,g day, when to the average mind, Just
Il at they have 10 he thankful for is not 6
ute clear Life, il is true, is theirs, but O
berry and the pursuit of happiness is not I
,ryed up to them as part OF their regular
let The officers OF the prison were there,
apt. Clapp, Provost Marshal, presiding.
AT THE POOR HOUSE.
Mr.. Curran, the Superintendent, treated
he inmates of this institution to dinner C
hich made them for the time being imagine I
lemselves as happy and wealthy as New b
'ork millionaires. The poor appreciate
ind act.
THE GOOD TEMPLARs.
Thanksgiving evening large party from \
lis city, composed Of members of Gem
nd Samaritan Lodges, paid visit 10
cecilia Lodge, at Fort Leavenworth. The
arty was provided with ambulances fur
shed by Cecilia Lodge. The ladies from 6
lie city carried up with them 4 large guam Il
ty OF cake and confectioneries, while the q
osts had prepared unlimited quantities OF
oh coffee, which served as repast. AT ?
lie conclusion of the banquet, speeches b
ere made by Mr. f. I. Rees and Mrs. L. i,
urbank. from the city, and Messrs. Birn- u
aum, Tyler, Dickman and Bennett, of the
ort. Songs were also rendered by o
Iiss Gibbs, Miss Burbank and
Iiss Mary DAILY, from the city, and G
Iessrs. Vaughan, Gearhart, Brown, Dick
an and Tyler, OF the Fort. A pleasanter
me could not have been had, and the
isitors departed highly pleased. On tine
ay down from the Fort, Miss
ibis delighted the party by
er rendition Of beautiful song In the Ger
an dialect, which, if the words were not
nderstood the sentiment was appreci- "
led. n
Taking it all in all, it may be said that T
lie Day of Thanksgiving, 1875, was most b
loroushly enjoyed by the citizens OF Leav- u
lworth, albeit in domestic, homely sort 1
a way. We have had great deal to be
ankful for; good crops, fine weather, ex- 5
nption from plaques and epidemics, and b
neral freedom from those ills which the n