Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1898 — A THANKSGIVING BANQUET. [ARTICLE]

A THANKSGIVING BANQUET.

The Pilgrims' Dinner Given to Indian Chiefs. “The state dinner of the occasion—the real Thanksgiving dinner—took place on Saturday, the last day of the celebration,” says the Ladies? Home Journal. “Nob* withstanding that the kitchens of these wilderness homes were sadly wanting in many of the most common essentials of cookery, there was no lack of good things nor of appetizing dishes at this great feast

The earth, the air and the water had yielded of their bountiful supplies, and the good dames bad done honor to their skill and ingenuity by setting before their hungry guests and companions a repast as sumptuous and tempting as it was varied and delightful. Foremost of all there was roast turkey, dressed with beechnut*; then came rare venison pasties, savory meat stews with dumplings of barley flour; delicious oysters (the gift of the Indians, and the first ever tasted by the white men); great bowls of clam chowder with sea biscuit floating on the steaming broth; roasts of all kinds, broiled fish, salads, cakes and plum porridge; while the center of each of the long tables was adorned with a large basket overflowing with wild grapes and plums and nuts of every variety. “It was the time of the Indian summer. The soft, mellow sunlight shone warmly through the drowsy haze, illumining the somber woodland with a rich golden light, while the gentle winds of the south, laden with the sweet perfumes of the foreat, came as a lingering dream of summer to add to the joy and brightness of this Thanksgiving feast. Upon the balmy air arose the hum of many voices and the merry music of laughter, as the pilgrims, with their Indian guests, partook of the feast that the Provider of all things had given them.”