The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1894-12-22
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S%nastown WAS q characteristic West
ern settlement in the Black Hills. 1t
had been established but Il short while
end the miners had had 4 hard time TO
keep their foot-hold against the on
slanght of the Indians, who took a
ticndish delight in creeping down on
them in the night and destroying their
huts and killing them whenever they
got a chance. But when the first
Christmas came around Snagtown
was considered 10 be on solid founda-
ton, and tho Snagtownites proposed
to have q roaring good time. 1t was
decided that y tremendous big feast
should lie given Mt the Snagtown Arms.
in which all should take part, on
Christmas afternoon. and Jack Bill
inSs, the only boniface in the place,
had been instructed that unless he did
his best the boys would raise partlcu-
lar Cain with him. a week before the
event was TO take place a meeting
was held and a committee on arrange
ments was appointed. with orders to
spare no expense. "Git loads o. grub
an plenty o lush" the chairman of
the meeting said, as he mentioned tho
names of those who were to be respon-
sible that the landlord OF the Snag-
town Arms did his work properly. The
committee Immediately got together
to decide what they should have ut the
feast. Jack Billings and his coiored
cook were called ia for Consultation.
"I've got laats of booze that was
brought ont on the last coach from
Gawson's,p Billings replied in answer
to Il question OF Que of the co,nmittee
in regard TO what he had on hand;"but
about tic grub, l hardly know what
you want"
'Dere's loads o. vcu'son, Mmse
jack Pete, the ceclS exclaimed. "au'
ducks AZ rabbits. an den dere's dat
econ dat Marsc rield shot dis morn-
in"
"Ihat S oaly ordinary grub" one of
the committee rejoined. We've got
6 have something better than THAT.
What's q Christmas dinner without
turkey and cranberry saucep'
"1hat's trAe enough, hatd,S another
member reioinoA, sbut think WHERE
yon are, There are NO turkeys around
this region and 10 c~ranberries. /
doubt even X you could find one over
Al Fort Wales and that's 500 miles
from here. We had better put up
with what Billings has.
We'll have To-" said another.
During this conversation there was
a member Of The committee whc l:At,
%seniaihel qnieljn 4 cornef 81 the room
sitting Oh u barrel. with his legs cross.
ed, smoking his pipe ana looking rs Il
ne We're deeply engaged In thought.
He was II tall troal shouldered fell
low, not ever thirty wears of age, with
= heavy black beard and long black
hair. and q face that indicated intulli.
geuce and honesty. Ho wore 4 blue
flannel Shirt. corduroy trousers. belt
ed in around the waist and the !eU,
tucked into high boots. A light som
brero was set on the back Of Ills head,
This vas Mike Field. whom Pctn had
mentioned as having killed The coon.
He WAS n general furorite among the
miners. and HIS opinion was much
sought after in the decision Of Difficult;
questions in which the bowie knife
aud pistols did not enter, and for thi:
reason he was given the name Of tlt
Judge and whenever a court was held
he was called upon 10 preside. Field
was a .aciturn mar aud never spok,
about his former life. but ono cu,il,
tell from his munnprof talking chat lit
was II fellow who had had the adrant
ages of n good education.
Look here, boys" Field said, as ht
came ut,to the group around the stove
"Fve just been thinking about thi.
matter, and I'm of the same opinion
as Cummings, and that is that W,
must have Il turkcy."
All Of them looked at Field. anxiou,
to hear what he had TO propose.
"lt only lacks five days before it vii
be Christmas. paltl." che OF tho CON
miitce remarked, rs he blew a Whit o
smokc from his pipe. ami a smil,
crossed his face lis he thought that fol
once in his life Field would be stump
ed.
That makes not the slightest differ
ence." Field reioinca. II wouldn't
care if it only was the day befor,
Christmas. Ii this committee dcc;i,
upon having turkey for dinner j
would have TO be secured at any ex
pensc,"
II is VOL enough to talk that way,
a.ise, but none OF us arc magicians
and | can't SEP how we are going te
set turkey when mono il around"
We'll. Ill Tell you. boys, that we
aEs ssei''a 70 have llrkey aud i'm 70.