Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING.
Kersey c. Reed, In the Central High
School Luminnry, Tells What
II WINS.

The year 1921 had been a prosperous one
for the Puritans at Plymouth. The col
ony had iiourished. Not more than half
of the member OF the settlement had died
during the year; the rest had gathered
bountiful harvests, there being now in the
storehouses enough corn to allow each
family a pint a day until next harvest; and
the incubators had at last succeeded in
Matching the eggs that had been brought
from Europe, and numerous infant chicks
ana turkeys STROBE proudly around the
streets, feeding as best they could on cob
bic stones and sand. So withal, the Puri-
tans thought they had much cause for
thankfulness and rejoicing, and accord
insiy Governor Bradford published in the
several morning papers Il proclamation set
ting aside Il day for Thanksgiving. lie
also sent a message to the Indian lnst-
tute to arrange for 4 football game be-
tween the redskins and the white men.
Great We're the preparations for the day.
The whole village was busy trying 10 illld
something to eat. 1t is said that they
Toasted on wild turkeys on that famous
day, but that can hardly be believed. 1t
Is true. gunners were sent out in search
of wild turkeys. and they actually SAW
one, but were SO overcome with excite
ment AZ the sight of it that they all fired
So We will have TO believe the story which
says that the two turkeys which were
served on that day were the pet pair that
Mrs. Bradford had caught soon after her
arrival in the New World.
So the prospects of "a feast on the next
day were very poor indeed, Two turkeys
are not too much for a whole village. But
the Puritans We're fortunately helped out
of their difficulty by the indians. The
c zionist n were were Sit 1!ttinE in their huts u5 the
they heard the blood curdling yells of
the savages. Thinking an attack was be-
ing made on them they all rushed to arms.
only the Indian football team which had
just arrived. They brought a large crowd
along with them. but also five deer and
several cans of oysters, which We're mucn
more acceptable to the Puritans. At the
sight of these provisions the spirit of the
people was instantly changed and now
all looked orward with eagernesS TO the
morrow. So, after having escorted the
football team and the accompanying root
ers 10 the best hotel. the Purltans retired
and sweetly dreamed about how a good
meal would taste.
The next morning passed quickly. and all
Were on hand for the feast. The bill of
fare consisted of one slice of turkey. two
of deer, two corn cakes, three oysters and
three .persimmons for each person. So
unused to such feasting were the Puritans
that 1t was several weeks before many
of them recovered from their indulgence.
Then after the dinner came the football
game. The grandstand was full. The bet
ting ran high among our holy forefathers.
At the start. both sides were confident
of victory, but 1t soon became evident that
the poorly fed Puritans were no match for
the sturdy Indians. the white men fled
before the PUSHES of their opponents like
girls before a mouse. But in the midst
of the game, as IL to save the Puritans
from further disgrace. the ball was acct
dentally kicked into the ocean. 1t was the
only, football in America. and as there were
no boats. and the water was too cold to
swim in, the game had to be stopped.
The Indians We're SO excited over their
victory, that they came near scalping sew
eral inhabitants, in addition to the poor
football team. The danger became so
great that Governor Bradford was obliged
to call out the cadets, who quickly over
awed the Indians.
On account of this one bloodless victory,
cadets have ever since considered them
selves as necessary to the peace of the
nation.
The score of that game is reported to
have been lost, but it is certain that our
forefathers arranged matters SO that no
about it could possibly get
into the hands of their descendants. 1t is
probably on account of this early setback
to football in Massachusetts that the Har-
ward team has always been so weak.
After the game the Puritans helped their
visitors to mount their bicycles and watch.
ed them as they pedaled swiftly out OF
sight, and then returned to their huts to
pray for another bountiful year.