Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-26
THE FEAST OF THANKS.
DAY OF BIG DINNERS, SERMONS
AND FESTIVITIES.

Hsw Savannah Observed the Puritan
Founded Festival of Gratitude With
Turkey Dinners and Church. & ding
Congregations Worshiping In Unison
ELOQUENT Discourses by Prominent
Divines on Thanksgiving Themes
The Record of Particularly Enjoys-
bic Holiday.
st. Turkeys day was well observed in
savannah. The weather would have
made the heart of an ancient Puritan leap
.or Joy. 1t was just such a day "a the
seabeaten old salts, who knocked about
off Plymouth Rock, would have delighted
n. The signal service men did their
worst, but dark as the sky and clouds
might be, the city was good-natured and
'ull OF cheer.
Everybody made the most of the day,
and there were few who did not have
something to be thankful for. Even the
bald-headed old gobbler who hid away
under the barn a week ago, with
premontion of the fate In store for him,
crawled out and "gobbed" his thanks
that his neck escaped the sacr6cial block.
THE CTTY's BUSY PLACES.
The busiest place in the city during the
forenoon was Market square. The big
market building was filed with people,
carrying empty baskets when they en-
tered and turkey-laden baskets when they
went away. The scene WAS next TO that
of Christmas eve. There was turkey and
chicken and duck and goose at almost
any price, and the markeLer who didn't
go home with some kind OF bird couldn't
make the excuse that there were none TO
be had.
The retail stores kept open until 9
O'Clock and then closed Tor the day. The
banks and exchanges aud all OF the city
and government offices, except the post
Office, were closed all day. The post office
closed after the morning delivery. and the
baId-wOrked carriers had the rest OF the
day 10 themselves. The city employees
were happy, tor they had nothing to do.
The clerks in the big business houses had
day eff. The school children laid aside
books and states. Every body had holt
day except a few. The policemen had TO
patrol their heats and keep good natured
while they guarded other citizens as they
ate and drank. The newspaper men
worked harder than ever. The railroad
men kept at their posts, but the great
majority enjoyed the day at their own
sweet viii.
BAD FOR THE TURKEY.
lUeTe were uIdnE NlHutlSs VI OcuiHc'
Everybody ate. The national bird-not
the eagle-appeared on hundreds OF tables
in glorious state OF bIownness. trimmed
with brilliantly cOlored cranberry jelly
aud illustrated with sage and onions. The
hotels gave big dinners for their guests.
At home it was day OF feasts and some
thing TO be thankful for. In the harbOr flags
float d from the shipping, and in many
a cabin there was an extra iare Tor
1. -. Nx4..t 1r nra.N Ia lan
mess room an extra mess for the crew.
At the orphan asylums the children were
made happy with chicken and pie, and
they said thanks for the foOd set before
them with a light heart.
The poor were not forgotten, and hum
dreds OF charity dinners were sent out
among the needy. In the hospitals the
patients were allowed more freedom than
on any other Of the three hundred and
Sixty-fve days in the choice oil their food.
There was more than one abused stomach
last night, and the doctors will have a
busy time OF 1t to-day.
The patients at the Georgia lDtlrmary
were RENE mbered by the colored public
schools, which made up present OF fruits
and sent out to the sick.
The sportsmen spent the day IN the
country, and dozens Of bags of game were
brought into the city last night.
lue suCuFOdH railways CdTIleu OuJ
good many people to Montgomery, Isle OF
Hope and Tnunderbolt.
A dozen members of the Savannah Rife
Association we're all that braved the rain
and wind and went out to Schuetzen Park
TO celebrate ne day. No medal was
offered, but t1ere was contest for tur-
keys. The winners were Mr.. J. z. White
in the first class, Mr.. Thomas Hunter in
the second class. and MIR. j. Gross in the
third class. After the shooting the party
had an oyster roast.