Wichita eagle., 1889-11-28
IN TIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Thanksgiving Services Held Quite Instructive
to Pupils and All Present.

The abundant harvest of the year near
ing its close will make this THANKSGIVING
memorable one in this commonwealth.
Every where among the children attend
ing the public schools are seen evidences
of prosperity The coming;of the day has
been looked forward to with unusual
pleasure by the children. The superin-
tendent and teachers have incidentally
chilled the attention of the children to the
great festival for, at least, two weeks.
Those in the grammar schools who are
studying the iistory Of the United States
and the provincial customs OF the people
have had their attention called to the
origin and the growth of this now the
most beautiful in sentiment and cere-
monies of all our national holidays. ex-
cept perhaps Christmas.
The first Thanksgiving on this continent
was celebrated ten months after the land
ing of the Pilgrim fathers. The first year
was one of great hardship, caused by sick
ness and starvation. In the spring they
planted about twenty acres of corn, and
six of barley and peas. bountiful har-
vest was the occasion of the first Thanks
giving The occasion Of the first national
Thanksgiving wss the surrender of Gen
eral Burgoyne to General Gates. In COM
pliance with the order of congress the 1Stn
of December, 1777, was designated as a
day of Thanksgiving. The army which
bad taken up its winter quarters at Valley
Forge celebrated the day. After the war
of the revolution the New England people
began to push westward They carried
with them their customs and inst itutious
Wherever New Englauders were found an
annual Thanksgiving was celebrated. New
England ministers were IN the habit OF
designating q day for their congregations
to give thanks to Almighty God, the boun-
tiful giver of all good gifts Bye and bye
the governors of the New England states
issued proclamations for the observance OF
day to be set apart for Thanksgiving.
During the great civil war such a procla-
nation was issued by Abraham Lincoln,
president Of the United States. Ever since
then the presidents have annually set
apart a dsy for this festival. Now there
are few homes in this country where the
dav is not religiously kept The reunion
of families which has become so general
on this day, is looked forward to during
the whole year with incescrioa Die pleasure
The beautiful custom OF liberal giving to
the sick, suffering and unfortunate besides
giving real enjoyment 10 the generous
douors. brings joy and sunshine 10 many
home. 1t is no, so much tie gifts which
are received that give comfort TO the sad
hearts. but the thought that they are re-
membered by Others; it gives confidence OF
man IL his feilowmen-
The children OF the public school seem
TO derive quite as much pleasure from
their well filed packages as they would
were they themselves the recipients How
proud the little folks look as they hand 10
their teachers their donations for the bene-
fit Of the benevolent institutions of the
city.
Yesterday afternoon was partly given
M to appropriate Thanksgiving exercises
in ali the public schools OF the city. TIE
children were requested 70 invite taeir
parents aud many gisdiy accepted the in
v!.asion. The following program Of the