Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-11-20

can wildly picture the powdered hair of the
grownups the eager faces of the youngsters the
grnning darkies in the south or CHEEKY white
help" Of the north
At the museum imagination is stimulated by a
sight of the very garments and jewels worn at
Thanksgiving dinners just about the time the
holiday received it's christening as national
event Dainty and suggestive of the beauty of
youth is a pale blue ribbed silk empire gown
with short pulled sleeves, a cobwebby white
hand embroidered kerchief and plain fall of
wide skirt. Near il the ridiculousy little
high-heeled white satin Shoes the gay colored
fan, immense tortoise shell combs and gold beads
and miniature locket by the revolutionary
maiden.
Looking at her footgear one smiles in reminis-
cenee of the fairy tales of grandmothers who
always insist upon the sensibleness of the way
THEIR grandmothers dressed. flaming red
cloak, with Red Riding Hood cape, and beauti-
full beaded hand bag completed the toilette in
which the girl probably rode many miles horse
back with her arms clasped tight around the
body OF male relative, or, perhaps rested warm
~ inside one of the numbering road coaches
which the museum contains. From a family
long famed IN history comes down a rarely beau
tiful gold engraved snuff box and lace wristlets
and handkerchief which the owner was wont to
display such occasions as that of a stately
Thanksgiving. In every detail of china and sill
yer the costumes there is evidenced this sug-
gestion of dignity and caste
And yet very gay and festive must have ap-
peared a gathering of weIlknown folk of the
late revolutionary period, when Thanksgiving
was sufficiently national holiday to be
observed with particular enthusiasm.
A complete full dress costume of a man of
affairs Of Maryland, displayed behind glass at the
museum, reveals the dandyism prevailing The
knee breaches are of corded tan silk with gem
encrusted buckles; the coat of the same mate
rial, is on the fCock variety-with many plaits
at the back, self-covered buttons and a high
turnover collar of the Robesperre style. The
gloves, silken hose, three-cornered hat and
capped great coat all delicate of texture and
in marked contrast to the somber garb now
thought appropriate for wear at THANKSGIVING
dinner.
But it was not all beer and skittles" then!
Amid the display of old mahogany table Candida
bra, cushioned dining chairs and array of costly
old china and glass used on THANKSGIVING DAYS
at Mount Vernon is the camp outfit Of George
Washington from which he partook of so many
frugal meals
One distressing winter of the struggle he ate
his Thanksgiving dinner 'in the field" and 1t is
recorded that he had nothing except the regula-
ton soldierly provender
His little camp chest still contains the nu-
merous pewter forks and spoons and dishes that
served him in lieu of silver and porcelain Over
a ire that could be built in the open one mic
lures bread being toasted for him on the iron
toaster which is still intact. There were bottles
OF season1ngs, such salt and pepper and few
shallow pewter plates
II ever one needed faith in order to be thank
full it was then and yet he who issued the first
national proclamation of Thanksgiving came
through it to leave visible evidence that not all
early Thanksgiving dinners were sumptuous
feasts
At least, though they were events-not merely
annual meals-regarded by the very rich of to-
day as a maudlin tribute to the national spirit
and by the very poor a merciful pause in the
starvation Of winter.