The Ocala evening star., 1922-12-02
The American Thanksgiring''

or defeat.
THE American Thanksgiving"
Thanksgiving in America, along the
lines which it is now observed dates
back to 1921, when the Pilgrim Faith
ers, justly grateful for the first har-
vest in their new home in Massachu-
sets, appointed three days Of thanks
giving and feasting. Governor Brad
ford ordered that the men go into the
woods in search Of game and along
the shores for fish, and that the wom-
en- bring forth the best of their eel
lars store. Chief Massasoit and Other
friendly Indians were bidden to the
feast, and they brought with them
five deer as an offering.
The dawn of the first day of the
feast was broken by the booming of
| great cannon, and later a solemn
procession filed toward the meeting
houses Elder Brewster carried the
great Bible and Governor Bradford
| followed in the rear. After the serv-
ice every one sat down to such a din
ner as they had not tasted for months,
ard the feasting lasted for three days,
Altho their first year in New England
had been hard one for the colonists,
nearly half their number dying dur
ing the winter, they felt that they
had much to be grateful for.
Days of thanksgiving for the colo
nists were not confined entirely to the
ingathering of the crops, for often the
preservation of settlement from at
tack by Indians or the passing Of an
epidemic of sickness gave just cause
for an expression of gratitude. The
custom of harvest festival spread
throughout New York and the Middle
States, but there it was less charac-
lied by religious service, altho a re-
Iligious atmosphere pervaded the feast
During the Revolutionary War the
people and the continental army OBJ
served an annual The living Day
by proclamation of the Continental
Congress, and in 1850 George Wash
ington, as the first 81 'ent, pro-
claimed day of rejoicing for the re-
turn of peace and the establishment
of the government. Until 1916 the
presidents annually called upon the
lpeople to unite in thanksgiving and
then for forty-seven years days of
Thanksgiving were unknown. In April
Iof 1862, Abraham Lincoln summoned
his people to acknowledge and render
thanks to God for signal victories of
the army, and in November of 1864
he called upon the nation to again re-
turn thanks. Since then Thanksgiv-
ing has been regularly proclaimed by
the president.
1t seems that at every football game
we have had the boys that do not play
will not cheer but run up and down
the side lines and leave only a few
girls to do the cheering. Now a few
girls cannot made as much impression
as girls and boys combined. Boys,
get out there at the next game and
show some pep and school spirit and
, cheer for 0. H. s.
The basketball girls have only sue
ceeded in scheduling four games so
far, two with Gainesville and two with
Sanford. Miss Brown, the coach, is
developing a good team and it looks
like the girls will have just as good
team if not better than the one last
year.
Gladys Rush is trying out for the
Holy Rollers and our court is becom-
ing much smoother. She is rolling fo,
the presidency.
Watch out, forwards! One more is
added to your number. Nell Wallis is
showing wonderful prospects, (She
shot goal the other day..