La Junta tribune., 1900-11-28
THANKSGIVING Rtm,n,.cssct.
Now the Mormors Celebrate the An
nusi Pssst Day.

The letter following was written
by the editor Of the TRIBUNE TO his
home paper in Illinois eighteen
years ago tomorrow. 1t is de-
scriptive OF Mormon Thanksgiv-
ing observance which took place
while we were "bird OF passage"
in the City of the Saints, and was
written during the period OF our
adolescence, when we were full OF
sentiment and gush We had not
then reached the exalted position
of editor OF Colorado "weakly,"
Ian appella,ion very kindly and
considerably given the country
press OF this state by one OF our
local ministerial brethren,) but
was simply ''manipulator OF the
silent messengers OF thought" upon
various and sundry metropolitan
newspapers. here, there and every
where. The letter is as follows:
Few would think that among the
bzrbarous customs prevailing in
Utah, there should be one SO full
of beauty and humanity as the
giving OF a grand ovation or cele-
tration each year to those who
have passed their allotted three
score years and ten, and are now
on the threshold of the valley of
the shadow OF death. For some
years Utah has witnessed this
irrespective of religious belief, al
| though of course most of them are
| Mormons, have come to Salt Lake
to enjoy grand holiday. IL is in
accordance with the eternal justice
oil nature, that, as the burdens OF
life drop from their tired hands,
younger and stronger hands should
not only pick them up, sbut gently
and lovingly minister to their hap
piness and pleasure, and as the,
near the evening of their days,
make the sunset OF their lives
bright and glorious one.
Salt Lake has just witnessed the
celebration OF this beautiful custom
The railroads kindly consented to
issue free tickets of transportation
to and from the city to all those
who had reached the age of seventy
and past. This was generous
act on their part and one for which
they should be given great credit
by the irate Greenbackers of the
east, who do not seem to appreci-
ate the benefit derived through our
great railway corporations. Green
hackers are unknown to this region
of Uncle Sans great dominion,
(for which we are sincerely thank
full or they might hold mass
meeting and pass few resolutions
expressing their great appreciation
for the kindne SIS manifested to the
Old Folks, and their Joy at finding
one corporation whose heart, If it
had any, could be touched and
find expression in this act OF gener-
| osity.
Some of the old folks came long
distances, accompanied by younger
friends or relatives, to enjoy what
might be their last opportunity of
handshaking with old friends and
associates. They came from the
north, the south, the east and the
west, by train loads. and the streets
of Salt Lake presented the sinsu-
lar spectacle of large crowds Of
people whose forms were bent and
whose brows were whitened with
the SHOWS Of many winters. 1t
was grand spectacle and also an
impressive one to young person.
They brought bands of music with
them, and delegations Of citizens,
with brass band escorts, met them
at the depot and escorted them to
places provided for their entertain
ment. Some were extended the
hospitality Of the citizens; many Of
the aged ones had friends in the
city, and yet others had sons and