Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-22

Domestic Turkey and Foreign ""''
The turkey-gobbler hearing the war
notes OF the eagle-brd, doubtless nope'
that Englishmen and Americans VIII DC
60 busy pulling at each other TINS "eeh
they will forget to slaughter him. but we
guess not Even In the midst OF ac'uai
war. the turkey cuts a great figure on
the Christmas table.
We remember that once or twice curing
the struggle for southern independents
the pcople OF Richmond endeavored 10
give each soldier In Lees army CHRIST
mas dinner. and all the turkeys that
could be bought hereabout were gathereu
up for this purpose
Those were starvation times, and the
fairest part OF Virginia was occupied ny
the enemy. The turkey was rather
rare bird. so we would not swear that
some of the dressed turkeys that were
served to the soldiers were not ROSTERS
But those were also days when men
had great appetites. and rooster-meat
was not despised. at Christmas, or when-
ever IL could be gotten. The men-oy 'ne
way. they were nearly all very youns
men-who lived. as rule, upon corn
bread and fat meat (when the meat couid
be eotten). were not inclined 10 quarrei
with the rooster because he appeared as
the substitute for the turkey.
Since actual war did not reduce the
demand for the Christmas turkey. we
should not think that the talk OF war
would.
we remember to have seen many
armies OF turkeys mot Turks marching
into Richmond. And of all armies That
ever marched into city they were the
strangest, for they came unarmed ana
not to kin, but to be Killed. AS far OF
as Bath county. in one direction, or
Henry county in another, turkey-dealeTs
would buy up these birds by the hun
dred. and, forming them into great
gangs" or droves, would drive them
here 10 be sold. At the head OF the col
umn generally came strutting some
ancient gobbcr. Very speedy in their
walk, and very manageable, indeed, were
the turkeys on the road, until sunset.
Then they would march no more. Then
they would 60 to roost upon the nearest
fences or trees drover was once
passing UP Governor street, into Capitol
street. when nightfall came. and his en-
tire gang OF turkeys halted and flew
upon the Capitol Square fence and trees,
and there resisting all threats and en-
treaties, they roasted until daylight,
when they became obedient once more.
no
Quarter-branch neighborhood.
1t happens that whilst we are about
to eat our Christmas turkey there are
rumors Of violence and cruelty in the
land Of Turkey. and England and the
United States are making at each other
as IL about to fight over the country or
which the turkey bird is said TO be a
native. Certainly. the turkey is Of Ameri-
can origin He is said TO have been taken
home by Spaniards from the country
near the mouth OF the Orinoco river An
other account says that the turkey was
domesticated in Mexico, when first the
Spaniards landed there. and from Spain
found his way into Turkey. 1t is further
said that the English got their first tur-
key from turkey. In England the stoSh
was much improved by judicious breed
ing, and in due time Vlrglnians began
to import turkeys from the mother
country.
Before the turkey was introduced into
Europe the peacock and the goose held
sway on Christmas tables, along with
the boars head. The peacock was a
luxury which few could anord; 1t was
the amiable, and. despite popular opin-
ion. we may say Intelligent. goose that
was everywhere seen. And TO this day.
in some parts OF Europe, the goose holds
high place mo joke. though the turkey
is everywhere known and appreciated.
May the presence of the turkey upon
the Christmas boards Of the world have
a pacifying. as well as appetizing. in
fluence And may those who have spurn-
ed proposals for arbitration OF great in
ternational disputes. have their hearts
turned 10 wisdom by the lessons Of the
day. teaching peace on earth and good
will TO men.