Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-12-01
Thanksgiving's Hilarious
Origin.
FUNNY SIDE OF GOOD GOVERNOR
BRADFoRD's FIRST BIG FEED.
BY VIII Allen.

Governor Bradford Of the New En-
gland colony did not, as many people
think, invent Thanksgiving in 1921,
and If he claimed TO IL was an out aud
out infringement on previous patents,
| for many people Of many countries,
even far back in Bible history, had
been setting aside times for feasts and
rejoicing when they cut their oats,
corn squashes and other conveniences
in the fall Of the year.
But neyereth'ess tie governor and
bis colonists no doubt broke the rec
ord for intensity of nkfulness, for,
having so very little to be thankful for
the Job could be done up in fine shape
and not be neglected on any point.
During the voyage over on the some
what unsteady Mayfower If any one
had so much as suggested hearty
Thanksgiving dinner he or she would
most probably have been tossed over
the rail, and some one OF us today
would be minus pilgrim ancestor.
1t is said that the rough trip over
was the real cause of tina pilgrims
utterly losing their sense of humor
and always carrying around such long
faces.
Anyhsw, hardships began right at
plymouth rock, for everybody was just
crazy to set foot on something solid,
and naturally there were some jostling
and elbowing in the rush. The rock
WAS never constructed for much of a
crowd and besides this, was real slick
around the edges where the tide had
washed up a few old jellyfsh, SO
those who secured standing room only
skidded off into the ocean without
their rubbers on and get wet feet,
which, as every one knows, is n bad
thing to do in December anywhere
along the New England coast. or
course these proceedings wound up
with coughs, colds in the head and
sore Threats, which filled up the hos
pihoi iiShh ilOlii tJN 6taibs
A $ is usual in Massachusetts, there
was no policeman around to handle
the crowd or all this might have been
avoided. 1t was mighty bad winter,
and, according to the accounts of the
sufferers themselves, "lyuusn. roared
and evolves sat on their tayles and
grinned," and If the Indians had not
done any worse life would have been
much more attractive in Plymouth.
But soon after landing in shopping
around deserted Indian village sew
eral baskets Of corn, two pumpkin
seeds and recipe for mince pie were
found, so that foundation for the
first planting was assured, which at
leas: gave the people something to look
forward to.
All this time marvellous appetites
were being develo ped for the big feed
in the fall, for, not yet having become
familiar with the location of the best
grocery stores and meat markets, the
cclonists were on diet principally of
little neck CLANS (much cheaper than
now and cells, which they trod out of
the mud at low tide with their bare
feet.
This undoubtedly brought into play
the stern bearing strength of character
of these old fellows more than any
thing else, for what iron nerve it must
have taken to feel n cold, squirinIng
eel suddenly wriggle up between ones
bare toes and not lose any dignity OF
! give way to unseemly remarksl
Spring came, and the planting was
done under very trying circumstances
for the would be sgriculturists could
hardly stoop over to bed in a grain OF
corn but that some Indian with q
crude, primitive sense of humor would
let loose an arrow.
However, the crops did splendidly
and were well attended, you may bs
sure, for the clam and eel diet was
losing popularity.
| The pumpkins spread all over the
! place and were diligently plugged
every day to save the vines, and the
extra shoots technically known as
"suckers") were all cut off the corr
and fed 10 the only heifer calf in the
! colony in hopes that she might be in
duced to grow up and become mature
COW some day.
The harvest WAS so abundant that
they even spared one pumpkin for the
| children to make jack o. lantern OF
and by working all lday aud praying
all night everything was at last got in
| Now, Governor Bradford noticed
how tired, thin and thankful every.
body looked, aud the most appropriat,
thing he could think of in the way o.
celebration was to set aside three day
|