Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-11-20

Gradually, as the free air and b~roadminded-
ness of this cline began to leaven the witch
burning dogmas of the Pilgrims, the fasting OF
the day was tempered by moderate feasting.
People ceased partaking in solemn silence of a
meal just about the same as that served on Sun
day-on which day of the week all early Thanks
giving used to be observed-and had a few
friends or relations in to help give proper thanks,
This necessitated more elaborate preparations
and what the college-bred young man Of the
household today would term "a bigger feed"
1t would not be correct to dine in everyday
clothes when guests were present, SO elaborate
costuming came into vogue for the occasion.
Many guests came from a long characterization
sitting demurely behind men riders on horse
back, or else in clumsy old road-coaches. 1t was
not hospitable to suggest that these return the
same day. So started the country house party
which still fourishes wherever there is a hos
tess, a house in the country and a fireplace.
For weeks beforehand preparations for the
great day went on. Especially at a place like
Mount Vernon did Thanksgiving almost outweigh
Christmas in culinary experimentation was as
it should be since the host of Mount Vernon
signed the first official proclamation making
Thanksgiving a holiday. And always the turkey
has been Its e~mblem-just as the eagle is OF
freedom. Like the Indian it is typically Ameri-
can.
OF course with such tempting menus as turkey,
roast pig, home-cured hams and mince and
pumpkin pies-to say nothing of imported plum
Misunderstanding rapidly took the place OF absti-
nence. And it is remarkable that amid all the
changes of this vast country during the past
1923 years that menu has remained practically UNI
changed. Everywhere in America on this
Thanksgiving day-save in the homes Of the
poor and the and cram
berry sauce will have places of importance and
be served from the table. The high cost Of liv-
ing debars the city poor from much turkey and
the ultra-rich have long since determined that a
few thin un-gravied slices of white meat are suffi-
cient to introduce amid the various cosmopolitan
dishes of the meal. "
Back in revolutionary days no such thought
troubled the mistress of the governors mansion
at Albany the exclusive hostess of Boston, or
the chatelaine of a Virginia estate. There was
only one proper place for the huge golden
brown, savory and beautiful turkey-and that
was the exact middle of whatever end Of the
table was designated head No courses an
noyed the guests and irritated eager Juveniles
The dinner services had to be extensive and
complete. Dinner was served at midday and
began with a soup, taken from an immense
toureen placed before the hostess. SIZE ladled
it out into soup plates, wAose depth would
astound a ~fastidious diner of today. All over the
broad expanse of white cloth were various dishes
and plates and cruets and receptacles for needed
seasonings.
Nor were these Of a thickness meant to en-
dure rather than charm the eye. Gazing upon a
collection of them now at the National Museum
at Washington one marvels what magic of house
wifery skill ever prevented their b~reakage
Where is the bride Of yesterday who can point
today to an intact after-dinner coffee set-mucf
less that sufficient for a dinner party? Yet these
are displayed in all the purity of outline ant
quaintness Of a long gone period, bringing very
near to the visitor the era Of genuine hospi
tally.
In those revolutionary Thanksgivings ther,
was no time to hastily wash certain dishes ant
use them over again, Everything had to b
where It was in evidence all the time. And on,