Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-12-14

Perhaps the first sign of Christmas
is the killing of the fat hogs, which have taken
on flesh rapidly since they were put up and hard
ened on good, sound ear corn. Hog-kiling time
means a generous supply Of fresh" IN other
words sausage, sparerib, chine, cheese-souse, pigs
feet, and, of course, that fresh pork ham baked
during Christmas week. This is danked by a
baked ham two years old and sugar-cured. 1t
will all furnish mighty good eating for visitors
who drop in for a little while, but have not time
to stay to the regular dinner.
Those who have spent years on a tidewater Vir-
ginia, plantation know just what hog-killing time
means to host and hostess. All through the coun-
tryside, from the humblest negro holding to the
largest river estate, preparation for Christmas
begins with hog-killing time, for then the corn is
gathered, the woodpile is ready, and farm work in
general is in such condition that all are in pretty
good shape for the holidays.
That Christmas Gobbier.
Two weeks before Christmas, the turkey COB
bier Generally one of the years raising) is singled
out from the flock, put up in a Slated coop in the
back yard, fed on shened corn till he is in proper
condition, killed the day before Christmas, hung
up on the north side of the porch and next day,
when cooked in the old-time kitchen by an old
time negro Kitchen queen forms the piece-de-
resistance for the big dinner. The Christmas
menu rejoices in roast turkey stuffed with oysters,
WYNN uiiADS StN ~ bu6oA N1tNo A~h NAASAA 0NS
to two years old), crisp celery, Irish and sweet
potatoes (the latter %candied), satisfy and spinach
(all grown in the home "gyardin,~ macaroni,
and, Of course, cranberry sauce for the turkey.
The dessert consists Of jelly (plenty of wine for
Seasoning), blanc mango, both white and choco-
late, meringues, fruits, such as Malaga grapes,
rosy-cheeked apples, bananas and oranges. Wine
Is served at table and a toddy of whisky, sugar
and water, with a dash Of nutmeg, will most likely
~ clio, NV +ho ropflonoon beforehand at the side
board. Roquefort cheese and coffee end the feast.
This menu is indicative Of a typical plantation
dinner; others will be in proportion to the taste
and means of the diners, but it can be safely as
serted that nowhere would a guest or a stranger
sit down to a meager feast on this day, for even
the negroes have prepared most literally for the
great occasion.
Christmas Decorations.
The good old custom of decorating the houses
for Christmas still obtains, and the generous
supply of holly, running cedar and pine, growing
In the Virginia woods, is used. Mansion, farm
house and cottage are all decorated. Mantels
halls, and even bedrooms are witnesses TO the sea
son Of iollity. Family portraits of ancestors, now
long laid at rest, are honored with a wreath Of
green and the red berries Of the holly, a Christmas
greeting from the stern canvas.
What are the social customs that emphasize this
season In Tidewater, Virginia? On Christina:
morning q glass OIL eggnog or touuy 10 Wy ''
gentlemen as they go into breakfast. After thi'
meal. the company will separate. 1t Is possible
that some Of the party will go to the Colonla
church in the neighborhood for morning service
The ancient brick edihce will always have beer
decorated by loving hands for this season
Wreaths of evergreen intertwine on walls, chance
and pulpit.
The morning service over, the congregation ex
change Christmas greetings outside. Some pres
ents are taken to church for neighbors who live u
a distance; happy, Inexpensive recolections Oh tn
eeoson but appreciatively Indicative of the mo
mentous occasion. Back from church, home folk
and guests are ready for dinner.
Hunting Parties.
The east virginians have ever shown a penchan
for hunting, and chasing the fox behind a goo
back Of hounds has always been q sport par eS
cellence. This sport still exists in the country dis
tricts. and in spite Of wire fences now almo'