The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1913-12-25
CHRISTMAS IN
THE PINER|ES
How the Day was Spent a Few Years ago
by "S|ivers" in the Heart of the Min
neS0ta Timber Bell.
By Sllvers.

= Many of us here have spent at least one
winter in the woods. During the fall and
winter of 900 the writer was employed
by one of the largest lumber companys in
Minnesota as camp clerk. The camp was
located in the northern part of the state,
and about two hundred and thrifty men were
employed. The nearest town was 20 miles
away on the d. V. and r. L. R.R.
AS at all camps alcoholic liquor was stri-
city prohibited at all times the result was,
that few days before Thanksgiving the
men started to ask for their time and on
thanksgiving day there was but sixty men
out of the total crew of two hundred and
i-ty in camp and work was practically at
stand still Until more men could be sent
tom Duluth. AS Christmas drew near fear
ing another stopage of work, the foreman
made the men the proposition that if they
would stay in camp during the holidays he
would see that they enjoyed themselves as
much, 1t not more than they would if they
went to the city to spend the week. The
men accepted, and all but few pledged
themselves to stay.
About week before Christmas a COM
mlttee was appointed from among the men
to arrange program of entertainment,
"A boxing match, A wrestling match, and
a stage dance was what they decided on.
Two men were detailed to secure the game
for the dinner. Several deers were brought
in by them, and turned over to the cook
and his assistants. Two days before Christ
mas the tote teamster was given a help
er to bring into camp the contents of box
car that had been set out on the camp side
ing. There were several loads of boxes
and nearly every man in camp called at the
c hoH ,,~rHS IAl
lind out what they contained.
Christmas morning dawned bright and
clear with every one up as soon as it was
light enough to see. Breakfast was about
the same as usual as everyone had expected
it would be. After breakfast the men assem-
mbled in the largest bunk house where the
wrestling and boxing matches were to be
held, and those who were to take part made
it known that they would have to be pulled
off before dinner for they wanted to do full
justice to the cooks efforts. The bouts
weIe for the camp chamonship and it GER
talnly was real sport. Crude will admit,
but cleaner craftsmanship was never shown
than that of both boxers and wrestleIs.
Both matches were over at about 1890 SO
here was some time to wait for dinner and
several started a vaudeville show of their
WI, oaNh at oelHS real nit, out the one
who seemed to be the general favorte was
IN old oweed who sang song of some forty
eleven verses one of which started: 81 bane
'weed from North Dakota Live on home
tead bout three years guess I'll go to
Minnesota To look upon the big State
7air.'
After it had seemed an age, the cook
ounded Mess Call and every one tried to
re the first to the table. | will not try and
i've the bill o'fare but will just say that be-
ldes the venison there was turkey and oys-
er soup, potatoes, both Irish and Sweet,
nth every thing else that goes to make up
'hrismas dinner. In the center of the long
abes was placed large pans full of Candy,
-uit and nuts while at each men plate was
good Is cent cigar.
AT 7 o'clock the stag dance started in
lie large bunk house. Two of the crew
citing as orchestra with a violin and accor
ion The dance lasted until IL O clock
larp: at that time vote was taken, and
a man we one and all thanked the fore
AN and declared that this Christmas day
as one of, if not the best and happiest we
Id spent since childhood.