Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-12-22

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orn settlement IN Inc BLACK HIS. IL
bad been established but q short while
and the miners had had a hard time TO
keep their foot-hold against the on
slauoht of the Indians, who took a
tiendish delight in creeping down on
them in The night and destroying lireir
huts and killing them whenever they
got n chance. But when The first
Christmas came around Snagtown
was considered TO be on a solid fouuda-
ton. and the Snagtowuites proposed
to have a roaring good time. Ii was
decided that a tremendous big feast
should he given al the Snagtown Arms.
in which all should lake part, on
Christmas afternoon, and Jack Bill
1his best the bows would raise particu-
lar Cain with him. A week before the
event was 10 take place q 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, rs he mentioned the
names Of those who were 10 be respon-
siblc that the landlord of the Snag-
town Arms did his work properly. The
committee Immediately got together
to decide what they should have at the
feast. Jack Billings aud his colored
cook were called in for consultation.
"rve got loads of booze that was
brought out on the last coach ron
Dawsou's," Billings replied in answer
TO n question of one of the committee
in regard TO what he had on hand;"but
about The grub, l hardly know what
you want
"Dere's loads o. yen'son, Marsc
Jack Pete, the cook, exclaimed, "an'
ducks an rabbits. nm den dere's dat
coon dat Marse Field shot dis morn
in"
THAT S only ordinary grub" one OF
the committee rejoined. We've got
to have something better than that.
What's Il Christmas dinner without
turkey aud cranberry sance"
That's true enough, pard," another
member rejolned, but think where
you are. There are no turkeys around
this region aud no cranberrics. |
doubt even If you could find II over
at Fort Wales aud that's 800 miles
from, here. We had better put up
with what Billings has.
"Well have to-" said another.
During this conversation there was
q member of the committee who had
remained quiet in a corner OF the room
sitting on "A barrel, with his legs cross
ed. smoking his pipe and looking rs II
he were deeply engaged in thought.
He was n tall, broad shouldered fell
low. not over thirty years OF age, with
a heavy black beard and long black
hair, and a face that indicated intclli-
gence ami honesty. He wore n blue
nannel shirt. corduroy trousers. belt
ed in around the waist and the legs
tucked into high boots. A light SOM
brero was set on the back Of his head.
This was Mike Field. whom Pete had
mentioned as having killed the coon.
He was q general favoritc among the
miners. aud his opinion was much
sought after in tho decision OF difficult
and pistols did not enter, and for this
reason he vas given the lame Of the
Judge, and whenever q court was held
he was called upon TO preside. Field
was n taciturn man and never spoke
about his former life. but one could
tell from his OF talking that ht
was q fellow who had had the advant
ages OF n good education.
"Look hero. boys" Field said, ms Inc
came up to the group around tho stove,
-I've just been thinking about THU
matter. and I'm Of tho same opinion
as Cummings, and that is that we
must have a turkey"
All OF them looked ut Field. anxioui
TO hear what ho had to propose.
at only lacks five days before 1t will
be Christmas. pard." one OF tho com
mitlcc remarked. as he blew a whiff O.
smoke from his Pipe. and y smile
crossed his face rs he thought that fol
once In his life Field would Le stump,
ed.
.Thnt makes not the slightest differ,
ence," Field rejoincd. II wouldn'I
care II 1t only was the day before
Christmas. IL this committee decide
upon having turkey for dinner Il
would have 10 DO secured at any sx'
oense."
1T is well enough TO talk that way,
like. but nom vi us arc magicians
nd | can't seq how we arc going q
.et turkey when mono Is around"
"Well. Ill Tell sou. boys. that W.
re going 10 have turkey and In 20.