Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-25
GIFTS FOR THE POOR
Gusky'S Break the Record in Giving
Thanksgiving Turkeys to the Poor.
MANY BIG DINNERS GIVEN AWAY.
Two and Half Hours Required to Ac-
commodate the Crowds.
MANY BIG DINNERS GIVEN AWAY.
FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE MADE HAPPY

crowded Market street yesterday morning
in front of Gusky's clothing emporium
Long before the employees put in their ap
pearance to begin the days usual business,
the sidewalk about the main entrance to the
store was blockaded. and passing pedestri.
ans had to take the other side of the street
or wriggle through the surging mass of hui
manity. 1t was cold morning, but they
didn't mind that Nor did they grumble
when the wind came around the corner and
threatened to blow many OF the little tots
away; for the little children and burly men
were alike crowded together. The reason
o. all this good nature was not hard to find;
for on one side OF the store was window
piled high with turkeys. Each one in that
happy throng apparently had a ticket care
fully slowed away that at the proper time
would be produced, ana one of those big
fat, plump fowls would be theirs,
Gusky's Thanksgiving Day.
1t was Guky's Thanksgiving Day. That
meant great deal to the poor OF the two
cities. F or years past it has been the Gus
tom of this well-known firm, that is pre-
sided over by Mrs. j. NJ. Gusky, and that
has won high place in PittsbuTg CONNER
cial circles, to distribute to the cities poor
hundreds of turkeys and trimmings for
Thanksgiving dinner. 1t has become an
established practice and it is with pleasure
they look forward to this as one of the hap
piest days in the whole year. Such munif-
cence as practiced by Guskys is worthy Of
high commend dation. 1t brings pleasure to
many heart and satisfaction to many
stomach that would 90 unsatisfied were it
not for the few who so literally distribute
this worlds goods with which they have
been SO bountifully supplied.
Promptly at O'Clock the doors on the
south side OF the mammoth establishment
were thrown open and the rush began. As
the happy people filed in their faces and
rsal Tnn L@n-1l n
trained eye of the closest student of nature.
Men, women and children jostled each other
and pushed forward for a common purpose
the receiving of a turkey. The represent
atives or every civilized nation on the face
of the earth were noticed, ana all stood side
by side and expected to receive the same
gift. People OF all sorts, conditions races
and occupations could be seen crowding
through the doorway, turning to the left and
lining up in front of the window. which was
piled high with the things that bring cheer
to a cold stomach and gladness to a sad
heart.
Distributing the Turkeys.
Within a few minutes the large and ca
pacious aisle was filled to overfiowing and a
halt had to be called. The door was closed
so to relieve the pressure and the work of
distribution begun. That the turkey holds
6 warm place in the hearts of the people is
attested by the eagerness with which it was
sought yesterday. The tact that it was free
also may have contributed to the general
eagerness of the lucky ones who held a
ticket which entitled them to one of the
birds that is enshrined in the hearts of the
American people, particularly on a holiday
AT such times the eagle may scream, but
when it comes to a matter OF close counting
and a question of fine discrimination Of
what is tasteful and beautiful and that lends
Joy to the sorrows of the whole world, the
eagle is strictly not "in it" with the turkey.
Such was the case yesterday. Everyone
wanted a turkey. They apparently didn't
care q snap for the rest of the world or what
might be going on at that particular mo-
ment on other parts OF this mundane sphere
and they. generally succeeded. II they didn't
they either did not have a ticket or had ne
elected some other necessary qualification
and had themselves TO blame The manage
ment was perfect. Not a mitch occurred
Every move OF the experienced attendants
was productive OF some good work and the
distribution of the gifts went on at q rapid
rate. 1t was happy moment for many a
poor heart
The Trimmings Went With It
First the ticket was presented, and the
size Of the family tor which the turkey was
intended was whispered to the ticket re-
ceiver who called out to his right-hand
man, and he passed the good news on to the
next, The fowl was selected and handed
to the happy applicant. A quart or two OF
cranberries was next tossed into the basket
or arms of the fortunate person. Turning
TO the right patch of celery was en-
cuuntered. No one was allowed to leave it
until the stock of the firm had been dimin-
ished by at least two punches or when the
family was unusually large and u magnificent
turkey graced the recipient of favors the
gift was increased to three punches. The
ceremony was over. the effort had been
made and the prize was won.
The next move was to get out of the store
and home. If a record of all the happy
thoug is, words of praise and eIclamations
the lips of the many who walked in
and then walked out of that store
yesterday, for the one who was SO Thought
ful as to remember the less fortunate beings
OF this world and who tried to make them
enjoy the good things OF this life, they
would indeed be a worthy record for any
ones life Anyone who watched the people
come and go could fully realize the memory
of that old maxim, 1T is more blessed to
give than to receive"
Every Applicant Got Turkey.
The hour for the distribution of the tur-
keys had been set early, so as to allow
ample time for the preparation OF the
Thanksgiving dinner. 1t took nearly two
hours 10 dispose of all the good things held
in readiness for the anxious people. They
came in such numbers that when the first
supply was exhausted many more stood |
waiting their turn. Hardness is the bane of I
humanity, and there will always be a lew |
strag=le!s, whether after the good or bad |
things OF this lie. Some were there who |
had no ticket or had lett them lying on the |
table at home" These were stood aside to |
wait until the rush was past If they seemed |
to be IN particular need. These did not all |
remain, but wended their way out of the |
store after watching the people come and |
20 Tor a few moments. When the 1irst stock /
had been distributed others were ordered |
and no deserving person went away without |
Il Thanksgiving dinner. Ia all there were |
200 turkeys given away, and into |
so many homes of Pittsburs and |
Allegheny were carried gladness and |
joy. The custom has become one of the !
Ientures of the management of the Gusky /
firm, this being the seventh time it has been |
repeated
In distributing the turkeys, and asking |
what sized family it was they served, some |
sized ones were found. There /
were several numbering from l6 to Is men,
5ers each. These were given the heaviest |
fowls. Fully 5000 people were made happy |
by yesterdays gifts and each will have a |
word OF praise for the donor. Some OF these |
patrons have been regular callers at Gusky's |
on Thanksgiving, and as they report at the
window with each successive !
year their faces have become familiar
Nearly everyone asks for a large turkey /
each year, which gives evidence of a pros-
porous growth. By the worthy practice of /
giving annual gifts the poor as well as the /
rich are enabled to celebrate Thanksgiving /
in true American style, and many sad |
heart is made glad.
ASK for our raisin brandy for mince pies.
There M MI /