The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-11-23

who had probably also been toasting the festive
day extensively, disputed the statement and
called upon St Clair to prove that he was sober.
st. Glars retort was to seize bottle from
the table and hurl it, not at Tisdal at anyone
in particular but at the whole company In gen.
eraL Fortunately it hit none of them but 1t did
throw the room into an uproar And into the
tavern a moment later walked their host, Alex
ander Hamilton, to look upon a shameful scene
in which food, glassware and china and guests
were all in heap
Hamilton, dreading the scandal that would re-
suit If the story Of the affair became known, set
about swiftly to restore order. But he was only
partially successful Lieutenant st. Clair still
insisted that he was perfectly sober and Alder
man Tisdal still doubted it. The result was a
fight. from which the lieutenant emerged with
a broken nose. Hamilton's letters are our au-
thority for that information, as they (and an ac-
count by John Adams) for other details Of
what took place there that day.
But even with the quarrel between the two
men patched up, the trouble was not yet over.
For there next occurred an incident which would
upset Thanksgiving dinner today as much as
1t did that one in Fraunces tavern. For 1t was
discovered that there was no turkey!
Just how this oversight occurred is not ex-
planned, but Hamilton's letters again support the
story. When the row started the turkey had not
yet been brought to the table, and when peace
and quiet had been restored and the call was
given to bring on the roast Thanksgiving bird,
1t developed none had been provided.
An uproar again ensued Some proposed that
they dispense with turkey, but this idea was
hooted down by the majority, and Hamilton, him.
self, swore that no citizen Of the United States
should abstain from eating turkey Thanks
giving day. SO turkey was obtained
Where the roast turkey was found at such a
late hour is not revealed. But 1t seems undis-
puted that one was found, and 1t actually was
served at the country's first official Thanksgiving
dinner. The turkey obtained the banquet went
ahead without further hitch. The guests ate,
drank, sang and cheered Sufficient quiet was
obtained that Hamilton might make his speech.
Then he departed, probably with genuine feel
ing Of Thanksgiving in his heart to escape from
such a group of Thanksgiving guests.
But there was still stormy scene ahead of
him, although he would never have guessed 1t
when he first entered the Executive Mansion
where the Washingtons stately observance Of
the day was under way. Unfortunately for Ham
ilton, rumors of the disorder In Frances tavern
had already reached washington's ears and the
President was plainly disturbed by the fact that
what he had intended to be quiet religious
holiday had been turned into rowdy affair by
the friends Of his secretary Of the treasury.
So when Hamilton arrived the President lost
no time in questioning him about what had TAX
en- place. When he learned that young soldier
of the United States army had been injured in q
disgraceful brawl, especially at gathering pre-
sumably for the purpose Of giving thanks to God
for the blessings of good government, peace and
concord" his anger was aroused to the extent
that he demonstrated again, as he did when he
rebuked Charles Lee on the battlefield Of Mon
mouth, that he knew how to use strong language
when the occasion called for 1t.
"It is disgraceful. by -, sir !" spoke George
Washington, and there was nothing left for
Alexander Hamilton to do but meekly agree and
discreetly withdraw from the presence Of his
chief without further comment.
Thus did the political rivalry of two Of his
cabinet members have part In detracting from
the solemn character which our first President
had wished the first Thanksgiving day to have,
and although this may have had nothing directly
to do with It. the fact Is that not for five years
thereafter did the President again proclaim an
other official Thanksgiving.
So that is the story, and II It does not in
crease our respect In every particular for the
so-caled good old days" 1t at least gives us a
chance to refute the statements of those who
assert that because. perchance, we go to foot
ball games or otherwise amuse ourselves on
THANKSGIVING day. our modern observance is
mot in keeping with the spirit of the day as our
forefathers celebrated It'll
q by Western Newspaper Union.