The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-12-29

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vitation was generally accepted for
standing room in the building was at
a premium. The exercises were
opened by singing with instrumental
accompaniment, followed by an ad-
dress to the children by the Rev. Mr..
Walker. More music followed and
then the feast began. After the raid
upon the edibles had ended, the pres
ents we're distributed and scores of
little hearts were made glad. The
room was then cleared and dancing
commenced which was kept up until
Christmas day was fairly ushered in
by Father Time, when the jewellers
dispersed to their homes. It was the
first Christmas tree in Anaconda and
will be long remembered by those
who participated in the festivities as
one Of the most enjoyable occasions
in their lives.
A FIGHT OR TWO
signallzed the opening up of the cere-
monies of Christmas day. AS they
were the result of the peculiarly brac
ing character Of the climate at this
elevation combined with beer, and as
no bones were broken, nor q display
of deadly weapons made no arrests
followed. The leading actors in the
ARRAYS were adorned with extra
heads and the fun went on as though
the little interruption had been
"billed" for the occasion.
THOSE 'POssUMs.
When Dan Flowerree and Henry
Lowry went East last fall, they trav-
eled as far as Custer with Newt. Dick
enson, tue efficient and whole-sOuled
deputy sheriff of this county. AS
"Dick' left the train at that city they
asked him what they could do for
him in "Old Missouri" "Send me q
'possum" answered "Dick." "We'll
send you q half a dozen" shouted the
''Old timers" as the train moved
away. In due time the 'possums came
accompanied by a couple dozen fine,
fat Missouri quails. "Dick" was in
Deer Lodge when the tempting game
arrived aud in less than half an hour
he was surrounded by 300 Missourians
clamoring for a sight of 'those pos
sums" The sympathizing heart of
"Dick" was touched by their plead
ings, and taking the box containing
the precious booty over to Estill's
livery stable, the horses were turned
out and the exhibition commenced.
When this ended "Dick" had but
three 'possums and the. quails to
bring to Anaconda. These were
served up in true Southern style
Christmas day by that prince of ca
terers, Professor Thompson, Of the
chop house attached to Tom Daly's
sample rooms. Ten Missourians,
good and true, sat down to the rich
repast. Al. the head of the table was
the generous host, Mr.. Dick
erson. At his right and
left were seated Messrs. Tom. Daily
Robert Fenner, Chris. Lawser, S. NJ.
Slater, S. Ames, John Shively, Al.
HardenbroOk, J. A. Dow, and your
correspondent. Before them was a
table fit for the gods. Three pos
sums, baked to a turn, and flanked
by luscious sweet potatoes. were ar
ranged equi-distant from each other,
while at either end of the ample
board we're placed a dozen quails
temptingly prepared. Rich pastry,
fruits and wines of the choicest
brands, filled the intervening spaces,
the whole presenting the most novel
and, at the same time, one of the
most toothsome spreads I ever saw.
Wine flowed like water and not until
the professors order "Ca've dat
'possum to de hearth had
been thrice repeated did the
old Missouri veterans retire from the
feast. After the usual toasts to the
health of the host had been quaffed,
the party adjourned until the next
Christmas dinner voting this the
most enjoyable one they had par
in the west.
Judge Waterbury, who has been
on the sick list during the past month
or so, is now convalescing and able
to sit up. The Judges appearance
indicates a hard struggle with "the
grim monster" but barring the loss
Of hundred or more pounds of flesh
the Judge still presents a solid front.
He will be all right in a few days.
Mrs. S%uprenant's Christmas dinner
was a marvel of culinary skill, and
will long be remembered Ly her for
guests.
All Butteites now residing in this
place speak in hopeful terms of its
outlook. They have driven
their stakes, brought their knitting
and propose to camp right
here.
The working force upon the smelter
is now reduced to lis men. A further
will be made in a few days.
Another large building will be
erected at the smelling works in the
The main tunnel from the creek to
the smelling works is fast nearing
completion. Lateral or branch tun-
nels will be run from the main one
A ball tor the benefit of the public
school will be given here New Years
MI. J. s. Curly, P. Leven-
good and otner enterprising citizens
have the matter in charge, which fact
9 q guarantee that the affair will be
. success.
Your correspondent was shown q
most remarkable find at this place.
Some wOrkmen who were driving
the tunnel which is being run from
Warm Springs Greek to the smelter
licked out Of the compact gravel
what is supposed to be a human
bone about seven inches in length.
The place where it was discovered
is over twenty feet from the surface
of the ground, and in its immediate
neighborhoOd were crushed and
splintered bones and pieces of the
skull Of a human being. They were
all doubtless washed or placed there
when the earth was in its infancy,
but it would puzzle the most astute
antiquarian to determine their age.
The bone is in possession Of a gentle
man residing here, but I did not
learn his name.
WOOD RIVER RIPPLES.