The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-26
PUMPKIN PIE AND CIDER,
Al Thanksgiving Eve Entertainment
Given by the Helena Board
Of Trade,
City Attorney Craven Explains
How Pumpkins Grow In
Custer County.
Music and Dancing In the Lobby and
Several Toasts From Gsod
Speakers.

Pumpkin pie and older were served with
ont stint at the Board Of Trade rooms last
evening. Somebody said 275 pies had been
prepared, but there must have been more.
Ono barrol Of cider WAS emptied before the
entertainment was half over and the second
barrel was rolled in while John w. Eddy
was delivering his poem on the Bonanza
state to a crowd out in tho lobby. The
rooms and the three galleries Of the lobby
were crowded with members Of the board
and their guests for nearly three
hours and the supply of pie
and cider was not exhausted. The seats at
tho long table were kept filled. As soon as
q chair was given mp = dozen people were
ready to take ii. The pies were we'll cooked
and served on small wooden platters.
Large new tin pans, hsaped with popcorn,
were placed at intervals on the table near
large piles Of %douphnuts. Those who did
not drink cider wsrs given ell the rich milk
they could drink. The only thing lacking
to %round-off tho entertainment was the
presence of the Custer county
ranohmen who raised the pumpkins.
They were remembered, however, by City
Attorney Craven, who Landed the fertile
land of Custer county to the skies. He
gave the history of the pumpkin from the
dawn Of history down to the present day.
The further he got away from the past the
bigger grew the pumpkins, until he reached
the ranchman who went to sleep with =
pumpkin seed in his pocket one warm day
in eastern Montana. The ssed fell out OF
his pocket and grew 90 fast that he was
awakened by the vine dragging him over
the ground.
AZ 10 O'Clock enough space was cleared in
the lobby to furnish room for the dancers.
Excellent music was furnished by the
Helena Elite orchestra. At this time the
crowd became 30 large that Chief Justice
Blake, who WAS t~oast-master, decided to
give up the toasts, but a little later on they
were given. Gov. Toole was down ON the
programme to respond to Irrigation. He
not get back in time TO be
present. The governor sent a telegram
expressing his regrets. Col. Sanders was
also expected to speak, but had to leave last
night for Washington. Rev. r. D. Kelsey,
Sc, d, pastor OF the Congregational church
American Thanksgiving. All the ladies ap-
plauded when he said he had two things to
Be thankful for-orthodox theology and a
first class wife. Mr.. Eddy's poem Bonanza
State was q gem. Ex-Chief Justice
Ne H.i.na HSs assa q sfmf Trade tsn whs az
he was introduced by President Par.
chen. Then he told what q powerful
organization it was in advancing the pros
perity not only Of the city but the entire
state. The judge was in excellent spirits
and said in spite Of his gray hairs there
beat beneath his breast a heart as youthful
as any in the company: When he spoke
about the minerals of Montana n the
lavish hand nature had displayed here the
lobby was filled with applause. "The
LADIES' was the last toast. Hon. E. w.
knight responded. He said he thought it
was a joke at first when he had been
asked to speak, for he had been responding
to the toast for twenty years. Practice has
made him perfect. Bright eyes and beauty
surrounded hin and looked down at him
through the white electric light glashed
with red, white and blue strSamers
swung from the gallery rails. He
drew a touching picture of the influence of
women in the progress of the race to high
ideals. When the applause died out Presi-
dent Parchen thanked the large company
for its presence and said there was still
more pie left.
The pies were made from the mammoth
pumpkins sent to Helena last summer rom
Custer county and placed on exhibition at
tho Montana state fair. After the fair they
were taken to the Board of Trade rooms,
whore they covered a large stand extending
across the room. Some were as large as
washtubs. Tin