The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-12-04

ehscsd and there were no last aad ritz
performed ct those lonely burials il Il
depths Of the winter nighD-the dirg
Of the moarnful - was eli that brok
the stiffness.
But Providence smiled upon the su1ss
| ing colonia&s in their darkest hour. ~
early spring came bringing sunshine an
relief. Hope revived in their weary heartl
and those who survived rose from tn
SHOWS Of winter to plant and build.
The Woods res0unded With their hymn
Of thankfulnsss - they went bravel,
forward in the work they had undertaken
Sadly they watched the departure Of til
Mayfower-the last link between then
and the old uorld-as 1t sailed out Of ID.
harbor one bright April morning. Tn
fragrance Of. the spring flowers and thu
songs Of merry birds awoke in their heart
tender memories Of far away homes acfos
the sea. The captain of the little vesse
offered them free pa1sage to Englsnd, bu
those sturdy pioneers we're - '.steln" .,
1.-THE rock bound coast ON which thel
landed. With resolute drmness they 70
fused to return to England. They had
put their hands to the pillow and would
not look beck. The ensuing months
brought happiness and prosperity to tbs
colonists. The first harvest that they
gathered va in the autumn Of 1891, and
such . bountiful harvest that when Gov.
ernor Bradford looked out across the rich
fields Of golden grain he said: "God b
praised! Let 10 appoint day for solemn
service Of thanks to God who hath poured
ont upon ~ such rich blessings. He haa
granted ~ peace and plenty; be hes held
back the savage rcd man from bringing
harm to ~, therefore let IA appoint day
of Thanksgiving; and let NJ bid the
Sachem come with his braves, that they
may know that We, too. worship their
Great Spirit-the God that makes the
harvest grow. Load down the tables and
let 10 feast and make merry, - becomes
. people 90 favored ~ we."
4 This 10 the 6rst Thanksgiving procla-
nation on record. There Was great re-
joicing 10 the little colony, and the first
feast day in their new home was hailed
with delight. Hunters were sent into
the woods for wild turkeys and deer and
kitchens were made ready for preparing
the feast. Dame Brewster and Prescilla
Molines, the belle of Plymouth, who
Afterwards became the wife Of John AL
den, super,ntended the arrangements for
the great event-the Thanksgiving dinner.
The feasting lasted for three days, com
mencing Thursday, about the first Of No
vember. The state dinner of the occasion
the real Thanksgiving dinner-took
place on Saturday, the last day of the
The tablea were set In the woods be-
meath the branches Of lofty pines.
The menu consisted of roast turkey
with beechnut dressing, venison, meat
stews with dumplings, fresh oysters which
were the gift of the Indians (and the first
ever tasted BY the white mem, clam
with sea biscuit, salads, cake
pumpkin pies, plum pudding, wild grapes,
pluma and nuts Of all kinds.
So We learn that the Pilgrims in those
primitive days enjoyed many dellcacies
Of modern times.
Early on the morning Of the appointed
day the great Sachem, Massasolt, and
nearly q hundred of his warriors arrived
IN the village, and with wild whoops an
bounced that they had come to partake Of
heir white brethren's hospitality. The
little settlement, which consisted of seven
dwellings, and four pubic buildings, was
Ill excitement Men, women and children
we're rushing about and gave the Indians
! hearty welcome ~ they marched In
front of the Governors house. The roll
,f . drum announced the hour of prayer,
md the people gathered together in the
meeting house. Their hymns of praise
mingled in cadence with the roar Of the
forest pines, while the wondering ssvsges
,tood by in mute reverence. Then fol-
owed = holiday of feasting aud recreation.
The little American army of twenty men
vent through drill under the leadership
If Miles Stsndish, the captain Of Plym-
ruth, TO the great delight and astonish-
nent Of the Indians, while the fair women
If the colony prepared the grand feast.
It was the time Of the Indian summer
Ind the mellow sunlight shone through
he branches Of the trees that served a.
;anopy Cor the festive board. The hum
Vt many voices and merry peals of laugh
er fell upon the balmJ air ~ the Pllgrims
md their Indian guests partook OF that
irst Thanksgiving dinner.
There was no Intoxicating beverages
erved 1T this feast, but mugs Of bot
apple cider were passed to the
quests. How the Pilgrim Fathers and
lanes must have smacked their lips ~
hey quaffed the fermented juice Of the
orbiddeu fruit! It is not recorded that
be old Sschem Massasoit called for more
han one drink, but We fancy him giving
be Indian grunt ugh" to express his
abstraction while he passed his cup for .
little more cider.
The evenings were devoted to mirth
md festivity. In the blaze of cheerful
Tres and the feeling that they had found
haven Of rest, the Pilgrims listened, IN
wed, to tho sound Of angry waves beat
ng upon the rocks, and the frightened
20 gull's CRY - it fitted about ON the
vhite pillows below.
During tho Revolutionary War . day
t Thanksgiving was appointed annually
y Congress, and after the adoption of
be constitutions, President Washington,
everal timea, recommended . day Of
Than ksgiving, but it never became . ~
ionai holiday until 1868, when President
lincoln Issued Thanksgiving proclama-
ion. Since then the President has an
,uaily ordered setting apart the fourth
Thursday in November to be observed BY
he nation ~ day Of Thanksgiving.
What pleasant associations are suggest
d by the Thanksgiving Of to-day! It
means the gathering Of loved ones around
he family board to eat, drink and be