Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1918 — WORTHY OF GREAT DAY [ARTICLE]

WORTHY OF GREAT DAY

Thanksgiving Feasts in Arizona and Kentucky Described by Prominent Sons. Marcus aurelius smith, the entertaining Arizona statesman, was once questioned concerning Thanksgiving festivals in that far-off territory. He said that they were different from most Thanksgivings in the East. As the country was new, there were very few grandchildren to grace Thanksgiving dinners. The piece de resistance at the table was usually a gigantic wild turkey. It was always cooked on the old Kentucky or Virginia plan. The side dishes Included venison and bear meat, if anybody wanted it. A delicious dish was bear paws a la Mexlcalne. Tenderfeet did not regard them with favor, because when brought upon the table they looked like the feet of a negro roasted and basted. Nothing, however, was more delicious. Served with cactus or prickly pear sauce they furnished a dish fit for the gods. Then the. baked sweet potatoes upon the table were extremely savory. The sweet potatoes in Arizona, if Mark Smith Is to be believed, are sweeter and more in any other part of the universe. He says they taste as though they had been raised by some Kentucky gentleman In the Garden of Eden. There are frequent Innovations in family Thanksgiving dinners in Arizona. Being broad and liberal In everything, they do not allow their tastes to be hampered by conventionalities. In some places where they cannot get champagne, they are reduced to the necessity of drinking whisky. In localities along the border mescal Is a substitute for whisky. A few drinks of mescal make a man feel as though he had six heads, twelve feet, and twenty-four hands. Of all the people on the globe the Arizonians are th© most hospitable. It would well repay a stranger to visit the state on Thanksgiving day. He could have a dinner without price or money every hour In the day, with venison, antelope steaks, bear meat, champagne, whisky, and mescal thrown in. When Asher Caruth of Kentucky heard the talk about Thanksgiving a roseate flush overspread his face. There was the joy of anticipation in his eye and his tongue began to drip with eloquence. Of all the dinners In the South, he said, a Kentucky Thanksgiving feast was the best. It might not be as great as in New England, but the Kentucky dinner was the apiculated acme of bliss. The air was always cool and bracing. The fire seemed to burn brighter than in any other state. The barnyard was more musical,,and the baying of the hounds made a refrain that thrilled the heart with pleasure. The music of the banjo was heard and there were juba dances and African melodies that soothed the soul. Each family had its gathering; all enjoyed themselves intensely. There was a good dinner; turkey, of with cranberries and all the jellies apd gravies that Aunt Dinah could prepare. Children and grandchildren met at the homes of parents and grandparents, and recalled the incidents of the past year. It was what old Aunt Chloe would call a “rale clarin’ up time in family matters.” The new babies were chucked under the chin, and all the merits of the spring colts were canvassed. Troubles with servants were detailed. Family matters generally came under discussion, and predictions were made as to winners at Lexington, Latouia, and other famous race courses in the coming spring meeting.