The following reports are taken from
The Calhoun Chronicle archives:
The first Presidential Thanksgiving
proclamation named Nov. 26, 1789, as Thanksgiving
Day. As far as the people were concerned, they could
join in with any and all services, for they felt the
nation was safe now that the great George Washington
was at the helm.
As for Father George, he was
entirely too busy to write much in that great diary
of his, that is such a precious legacy to his
people. Here is all he says: “Nov. 26. Being the day
appointed for a Thanksgiving, I went to St. Paul’s
chapel, though it was most inclement and stormy--but
few people at church.”
In looking
back to these special Thanksgiving days of early
American history, no patriotic heart can help
feeling the beauty and appropriateness of these
gatherings, and the part they played in keeping the
little nation as one ideal family, until it could
walk alone, the American fathers holding before it
the truths on which the foundation rests, liberty,
equality, integrity.
For whatever else has happened, the foundation of
this nation still rests securely. There is much to
be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day. The stars have
not faltered in their course and freedom still
reigns. The good earth has blossomed and fruited for
her overlord, man, as in 1607 and 1776.
Now that autumn has marked the
finish of her harvest for this year, old earth is
drawing back into her sap, her chlorophyll and her
chemicals into her storeroom, to be covered with
snowy blankets instead of green grass -- conserving
and renewing all her power, making ready for next
summer’s spread of glory.
The license fee of $1 is required of
all citizens of the town who operate motor vehicles
upon the streets. The present license expires the
end of November. New residents are given a
reasonable time in which to purchase the license. It
may be obtained at the office of the town recorder
or by mail.
“Many Be Called, But Few Chosen” by
Eddie A. Kirby, which he calls “a message to
humanity” has been published by the author, and a
copy has been donated to Calhoun County Library.
The Big Bend writer discourses on
many subjects, including world peace, building dams,
end of the world, Mexico, growing fruit, capital
punishment, music, along with poems, letters and
autographs, and other subjects.
Kirby has requested that the book be
held in the reserved section of the library, where
patrons can examine the book, but not check it out
for reading.