The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1904-12-15

where as great eaters. They want to
swell the proceeds. Being stranger
only called for one supper. 1t is
needless to say that my timidity has
since worn away to some extent.
In 1880 the first Christmas tree and
Christmas exercises ever held in the
city occurred in this church building.
The exercises were of a primitive ma
ture, but the tree was a mammoth one
which Mrs. Fishback's father sent
here from northern Wisconsin we be-
lieve. The beautiful evergreen was
loaded down with presents-many
quite expensive ones, but our eyes
rested mainly on the elegant array OF
whole hams, overshoes, bologna sau-
sage, cans of fresh oysters, long
scarfs, overcoats ETC., while at the base
were sleds, old fashioned wood rock
ing chairs and large paper boxes, the
contents of which were not disclosed.
The churclrwas crowded that evening
as it never had been before, and it
was indeed merry time. To us
Brookings at that period seemed
like one large family instead of many
families.
The winter of 1SS0-Sl was strenuous
-(the pioneers called it "hard' for
short, though it was by no means
short) and it was difficult to secure
fuel for the church and still more
difficult to get kerosene for lighting
purposes. You are reminded that we
| did not have electric lights those days.
Finally it was decided to suspend SER
vices until spring.
There was a temperance society,
| however, that refused to have its light
put out and the "Red Ribbon Club
with Hon. John +. Diamond, now OF
Mankato, Mimi, as president p. c.
Johnson vice-president and Miss Eva
| Thomas secretary and treasurer, con-
tinued to hold meetings almost every
week during the winter with programs
of more or less interest, p. c. John
son and the speaker furnished most
of the fuel. Some OF the wood con-
sisted of rails which Mr.. Johnson pur-
chased of farmer living on the Big
Sioux river and quite often slabs were
procured at the lumber yards. All
OF which we sawed and carried to the
church. With from 3 to 10 feet OF
snow in the streets the dray lines had
suspended operations for the winter.
That society may be said to have been
the nucleus of the temperance senti-
ment in this city.
BY way of comparison, and to show
how this city has grown, imagine all
the church going people in Brookings
at that time being able to find room
in this building as it.was then and
not making much Of crowd at that,
and then estimate if you can how
large a church edifce it would re-
quire to seat all the church going peo-
pie Of Brookings today.
The church at that time was all in
one room. The ell or class room on
the south and the choir apartment on
the north had not been constructed.
1t was plain building with windows
along the north and south sides. En-
trance at the east end and no window
in west end where the pulpit was
stationed. The choir-oh, yes, we
had one composed of Miss Myrtle
Walker-Scobey, Miss Birdie Pierce,
Miss Eva Thomas, sopranos; Miss
Lulu Wel1man and Miss Eta Pierce,
alto, Hon. j. OBJ. Scobey tenor, DR..
C.. w. Higgins bass and your humble
servant, falsetto-they called it dis
cord.
| In 1882 the Baptists left us and
created quite a turmoil by capturing
most of the Sunday school attendance
outside of those who were connected
with the M. E. church on account of
the superintendent being member
of that church. Then followed the
outgoing of the Presbyterians from
the congregation.
Oh, my, what nervy lot those
pioneers were-t hree little strug-
Cling punches of devout people, all
trying to exist and for a time making
a (which and tother' effort, but as
time wore on they all weathered the
blasts and so many more have since
taken root in this fertile soil that we
are really bewildered when attempt
ing to enumerate them.
r. III. Williams bears the distinc-
ton of being a record breaker having
held an Office in this church from its
organization up to the present time,
holding the responsible position of
trustee, which in an early day meant
that he had to make good any defc,
iency in the church funds.
The Methodist Episcopal society
has, like all we'll regulated families,
had its ups and downs and thank for
tune its downs and ups as well. Let
it be remembered that there has never
been down which was not followed