The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-11-27
AMONG THE POOR.
TWO Hundred Thanksgiving Din
ners Provided Yesterday.
A Good Days Work Done by Mr..
and MRS. Pearson.

A few days ago an appeal appeared in
the PRESS, signed by Rev. S. f. Pearson,
asking for assistance to aid him in provid-
Ing Thanksgiving dinners for some of the
widows and worthy needy ones of the city.
On Wednesday large box of turkeys and
chickens had been purchased for distribu-
ton. Mr.. Pearson, with his helpers were
busily engaged selecting them to distribute,
according to the members in the families
who were to receive them. At early morn
ing the Gospel Mission team was started
with two men, and kept continually on the
go until night. Each family was provided
with turkey or chickens, potatoes. onions,
cranberries and celery, thus furnishing the
substantials for as good dinner as could
be desired. Could the givers have accom-
panied Mr.. Pearson to the homes of the re-
cipients and witnessed the joyful surprise
and heard the EXPLANATIONS of gratitude
expressed, they surely would have felt that
the promise sit is more blessed to give
than to receive" was fully verified. One
widow, the mother of four children, stood
at the washtub when Mr.. Pearson entered
the house. She was so overcome that it
was some time before she could speak, and
when she did, after giving thanks to the
widows God. said ~ was gaing to wash
until dark and all day Thanksgiving so
that we could have a dinner, but thank
God and your good. thoughtful people, l
shall not have to wash any more until Fri
day." At another home the poor widow
said. Brother Pearson. this is the first
turkey we have had since my husband
died, and how can we ever repay you for
the kind remembrance. A small and in
teresting volume could be written, filled
with the utterances of those who were
made happy and joyful yesterday by these
unexpected visits, and Mr.. Pearson wishes
1t could be so that those who contributed
at least, might have the pleasure of perus-
ing it.
While Mr.. Pearson was thus engaged at
the Mission and elsewhere, Mrs. Pearson
and assistants were busily at work in her
home cooking for those who were sick or
so situated that they could not prepare
their own dinners; and for such many
tempting delicacies were made. In max
ing the calls, Mr.. Pearson found some
without shoes or fuel, and ie case where
the rent was unpaid. He made provision
for all these, endeavoiing to make the day
one of great thankfullness. Mr.. Pearson
desires to acknowledge contributions of
money from the following persons, and re-
turn bis thanks and the thanks of all the
recipients:
Thomas s. Laughlin, N&HB Cleayes.
Carter Bros, Frederick Fox
Captain Benz Webster, Captain N. c. Davis,
Fred Eastman, ID. w. Scribner,
T.. ID. Rogers, Seth Sterling,
Prentiss Loring, Friend
Z. A. Harvey. X. f. Sklllngs,
ID. L.. Houghton, K. y. Merrill,
Mrs. II. o. Conant. c. A. Weston,
Friend, by mail, George #. ThuIston,
Mrs. George Tolman, ii. w. Suaylor,
diamond Wrench Co., David +. Murdoch,
DONATIONS OF FOOD.
School, Miss Hale, f. Skilllngs,
East Deering, Fred Wiley,
FRED Harris, W. s. Dunn,
Mrs. combs, Mrs Crockett
Mrs. f. A. Bent, Mrs. Jordan,
Mrs. William Sheaf, Mrs. K. s. Merrill
Mrs: Leighton, Mrs. Nickerson,
7. M. Frost. William Dennison.
Mr.. Pearson had applications, for and
provided several dinners Thanksgiving
morning, and was so busily engaged as to
nearly forget his own dinner. AS nearly
as Mr.. and Mrs. Pearson can estimate,
about two hundred persons were provided
with dinners.