Thanksgiving in Madison County
FIRST THANKSGIVING CELEBRATED AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 16, 1863
In accordance with the proclamation of the President of the United
States (President Abraham Lincoln), and the time-honored usage of
this Commonwealth, I, Richard Yates, Governor of the State of
Illinois, do hereby appoint the last Thursday of November next as a
day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God for his great mercies during the
past year, in
that he has blessed us with abundance of harvests, fruits and
flocks, in that he has preserved us from pestilence or widespread
disease, especially in that he has spared our State in a season of
great danger from the dreadful calamities of insurrection and
invasion [Civil War]. Let us thank God for the immortal triumphs of
our arms in battle and in siege, and the indomitable fortitude of
our soldiery in reverses. Let us thank God for the free institutions
transmitted to us from our fathers for so long a period of
unexampled domestic tranquility and prosperity. Let us thank God
that in spite of foreign hatred and plotting treason, and the
fearful shock of arms, we still have a country, and the glorious
hope of a country laden with unspeakable blessings for our children
and our children's children; and while we rejoice together over
victories won and prospects daily brightening. Let us also remember
the widow and orphan, who in desolate homes mourn for the heroic
dead. Let us acknowledge in contrition before God our many and
grievous sins as a people, and with patient trust commit our cause
to Him in whose hands are the destinies of nations.
By the Governor, Richard Yates.
O. M. Hatch, Secretary of State
NATIONAL THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
By President Andrew Johnson
Source: The Madison County Courier, November 09, 1865
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, during the past year, which is
now coming to an end, to relieve our beloved country from the
fearful scourge of Civil War, and permit us to secure the blessings
of peace, amity, and harmony, with a great enlargement of civil
liberty; and
Whereas, Our Heavenly Father has also during the year graciously
averted from us the calamities of foreign war, pestilence, and
famine, while our graineries are full of the fruit of an abundant
season; and
Whereas, Righteousness exalts a nation, while sin is a reproach to
any people.
Now, therefore, I, Andrew Johnson, president of the United States,
do hereby commend to the people thereof that they do set apart and
observe the first Saturday of December as a day of national
thanksgiving to the Creator of the universe for these deliverances
and blessings; and I do further recommend that on that occasion the
whole people make confession of our national sins against His
infinite goodness, and with one heart and one mind implore the
divine guidance in the way of national virtue and holiness.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 28th day of October, in the
year of our Lord 1865, and of the independence of the United States
the ninetieth.
Signed, Andrew Johnson
William H. Seward, Secretary of State
ALTON SOCIAL CLUB THANKSGIVING PARTY
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, December 01, 1882
The party given last night at city hall by the Alton Social Club was
one of the most brilliant and enjoyable events of the kind known to
our party goers. The hall was in fine order, the floor well prepared
for the purpose in view. The room was richly and profusely
ornamented with floral decorations, arranged by Mr. Joseph Krug. The
music by Postlewaite was very fine, and at times the plaintive
murmur of the cuckoo, and the twittering of birds were imitated by
mechanical appliances in such perfection as to lead the hearers to
think that the feathered songsters of the grove were hidden in the
floral bowers.
The scene was bewilderingly beautiful as the dainty belles in
tasteful attire glided gracefully with their attendant gallants to
the musical strains. At 12 o’clock, supper was served by Mr. T.
Knight, comprising all that the most exacting could require, a
credit to his skill as a first-class caterer.
The party broke up at 2:30 o’clock this morning, with the universal
feeling that it was one of the finest affairs ever given in the
city. The managers deserve credit for their efficient,
well-directed, successful efforts, to add to the comfort and
pleasure of their guests. Over 60 couples attended the party. In
addition to the members of the club, there were present from abroad
the following ladies and gentlemen: Misses May Morgan, Grace
Harwood, Bloomington; Miss Ada Williams, Chicago; Miss Elliot,
Bunker Hill; Misses Dora and Lena Ash, Brighton; Mrs. Frank Milnor,
Litchfield; Misses Sweetser, Addie Mitchell, Nina Taylor, St. Louis;
W. Best, Columbus, Kansas; J. D. Hubbard, Moline; W. L.
Breckinridge, Beardstown; F. Fritchie, E. C. Smith, George D. Roper,
William Kerr, R. P. Allen, Raymond Gregg, John C. Hurd, William M.
Leftwich, T. W. Freeman, Marcy Sullivan, St. Louis; Harry Antrem,
Chicago; H. S. Merrill, Brighton; and A. M. Howell, Litchfield.
THANKSGIVING FESTIVITIES
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 04, 1890
Thanksgiving Day was a model autumn day, and the magnificent weather
induced many to drive from the city and view the beauties of the
surrounding country. Some went with gun and dog, and sought the
pleasures of the hunt. Others drove to the Monticello Seminary and
other points of interest. The students of Monticello Seminary had a
good time Wednesday on the occasion of a masquerade ball, in which
they and their teachers alone participated. They assembled in the
chapel and promenaded for an hour. All were masked, and the costumes
worn were varied, elaborate, and some of them fantastic in the
extreme. Miss Haskell, disguised as a market woman, trade din bon
bons, and was one of the gayest of the gay. At 8 o’clock, the masks
were removed and the merry company repaired to the gymnasium room
below, where a dance was enjoyed for two hours. Thursday evening the
young ladies of the Senior class entertained their schoolmates by a
performance of the play, “Our Boys.” The cast was as follows: Sir
Godfrey Champneys, Miss Wilhelmina Shulz; Lady Champneys, Miss Marie
Gregg; Talbot Champneys, Miss Daisy Gale; Perkyn Middlewick, Miss
Laura Haugan; Miss MIddlewick, Miss Lucy Riggs; Charles MIddlewick,
Miss Emma Watson; Kempster, Miss Rose Pappenheimer; Poddles, Miss
Bertha Aylworth; Violet Melrose, Miss Minna Worthington; Mary
Melrose, Miss Winnie Worthington; Mary Melrose, Miss Winnie Needles;
Clarissa Champneys, Miss Minnie Sanders; and Belinda, Miss Mary E.
Drummond.
THANKSGIVING 1892
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 23, 1892
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, and there is good reason for true
gratitude. This nation has been most highly favored during the year
that is now drawing to a close. At no time in its history has there
been a more prosperous year for all classes. Business has been
exceedingly good, much beyond the average. The price of labor has
been high. Very few have been idle who were disposed to work. The
price of farm products, with the exception of wheat, has been very
remunerative. There being an abundant crop of wheat, the price has
ruled low. The nation has been saved from the scourge of cholera,
and other epidemics. Indeed, the thoughtful person can easily find
enough to warrant him in rendering devout thanks to the Giver of all
good for the blessings of the year. No thanksgiving will be complete
unless the poor and needy are remembered and helped. The truest
thanksgiving is found in extending the hand of help to some
unfortunate, making happiness to come to lives at least for one day.
Let us be thankful.
ALTON SOCIAL CLUB HOSTS THANKSGIVING PARTY
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 25, 1892
Root’s Opera House presented a most brilliant scene last night.
Congregated there was one of the gayest assemblage of dancers that
has ever graced its halls. Thanksgiving was passed in expectancy of
the Social Club ball, which added an extra charm to the holiday.
Early in the evening, carriages flitted over the city in a busy
scramble for those who were to attend, and so well did they succeed,
that in the grand march, sixty couples took part. Bohachek’s
Orchestra, formerly Postlewaite’s, furnished the music, which proved
to be excellent. The grand march over, the program was filled out.
Only twenty numbers were on the program, but they were specially
selected to please all, both young and old, and were interspersed
with several extras. A number of charming debutantes were in
attendance, and were made much over by the gallant gentlemen. The
hall fairly rang with the hum of the merry dancers.
At 12 o’clock, a supper, prepared by Caterer Daniels, was served,
and highly satisfactory. Not until far into the early morning hours
did the dancers begin to slacken their speed and think of returning
to “Home Sweet Home.”
The ladies in attendance from abroad were Misses Sadie Norton,
Carlyle; Laeta Spaulding, Decatur; Delia and Lottie Rober,
Springfield; Janette Stookey, Belleville; Katie Pogue and Mamie
Kirkpatrick, Edwardsville; Belle Tutle, Litchfield; and Daisy
Preston, Shipman.
THANKSGIVING BALL GIVEN BY ALTON SOCIAL CLUB
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 06, 1894
Brilliant is the term which most concisely expresses the
Thanksgiving ball given by the Alton Social Club at Root’s Opera
House last night, and attended by the elite of Alton and surrounding
cities. Beautiful were the gowns, fragrant the flowers, delicious
the supper, and charming the whole scene. This is the way the party
is spoken of by those who attended last night, and the stir in
social circles is yet alive with rehearsals of the gowns worn and
the pleasures enjoyed. It was a fitting termination to the
Thanksgiving festivities.
At 8 o’clock, the carriages commenced their rounds, and the constant
rumble of wheels and the flashing lights were heard and seen in all
quarters of the city. At the outer entrance of the opera house, the
carriages congregated about 9 o’clock, and one by one the ball goers
alighted and entered. The dressing rooms were hurriedly visited, and
the last touches of toilet made before the ballroom was entered. The
stage was covered with palms and draped with flags which partly hid
the orchestra. Electric lights shed radiance on the groups, and at 9
o’clock Bohachek, the favorite orchestra leader of St. Louis, opened
the grand march. Thereafter, music added its share toward the total
exclusion of the outer world. Programs were soon filled, and the
dance commenced.
In keeping with society functions, all wore full dress, and le tout
ensemble was admired by everyone. A large number of visitors were
present to enjoy the scene, and did not take part in the dances, but
cast smiles of admiration on the merry throng.
At 12 o’clock, Bohachek tuned his instruments for the supper call,
and a hurried gathering of ladies’ wraps was followed by the march
down one flight of stairs to the supper hall, where tables were
spread and profusely ladened with palms and fruits. Caterer A. L.
Daniels followed instructions and served a supper in keeping with
the occasion, and complete in delicacies. Supper lasted one hour,
and the refreshed throng were without exception ready to resume the
dance. With light and happy talk, soft glances, and mazy dances, the
ball continued till late. The “Home Sweet Home” lulled the throng
and brought its meaning full to bear at 3 a.m., as the attendants
left the brilliant hall. They were soon entering their carriages for
the trip home. Alton has the reputation of being a leader in social
amenities, and the reputation was fully sustained by the effort of
the Alton Social Club last night.
The visitors from abroad were: Hon. And Mrs. James T. Drummond, Mr.
and Misses Annie and Louise Milliken and Mrs. Will Anderson, Mr. and
Mrs. George A. Bayle of St. Louis; Agnes Mullalley, Annie Feehan,
Annie Chew, Hallie and Phoebe Bayle and Belle Brislin of St. Louis;
Misses Annie Houser and Marion Lutz of Lincoln; Messrs. Thomas
Freeman, Edward Kellogg, Lemuel Burr, Dr. Will Kingsbury and Charles
Drummond, Oscar Herold, of St. Louis.
THANKSGIVING DAY – 1898
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 01, 1898
The annual thanks and feast day, November 24, 1898, will long be
remembered as the most pleasant Thanksgiving Day for many years. The
day was a perfect one, and the cold bracing air made it an ideal day
of Thanksgiving. The holiday was more heartily observed this year
than ever before. The services in the churches were largely
attended.
On all the ponds in the city and down on the slough, back of the
glass works, hundreds of boys and girls enjoyed the superb skating,
a diversion they are seldom allowed so early as Thanksgiving Day.
During the two nights previous, the ice had frozen to a thickness of
three or four inches, so as to make it safe.