Thanksgiving Proclamation November 1890

A few years back I posted a smaller photo of this Thanksgiving Day Proclamation from Idaho Governor Shoup to then future Governor Frank Steunenberg . It was photographed where it hung at the time on the wall in my parents home (Brenda Steunenberg Richards  and John T. Richards Sr.).

The proclamation is in a frame so I can't get a very clear scan but have transcribed it this time around. You might notice a couple misspellings in my transcribed version. Those are as on the original (e.g. Gonernor versus Governor) and no promises that I haven't added a couple of my own. I have tried to approximate the spacing. At some point I will be removing the proclamation from the frame as it needs conservation work and re-framing. I will get a better scan when I do.

Shoup had served as territorial governor (1889-90), having been appointed by President Harrison. At the time this proclamation was issued, 11/12/1890, he was in his second month as the elected governor of the new State of Idaho. His tenure would be only three months, as Shoup resigned to run successfully for the U.S. Senate in Dec. 1890.

Frank Steunenberg was a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1889 and a member of the House of Representatives in the 1st Idaho State Legislature from 1890 to 1893 (click the link to see a photo). He was elected governor in 1896, serving two terms 1897-1900 (two year terms at that time).

So now, a 123 years after this document was issued, I would like to proclaim a Happy 2013 Thanksgiving to you and yours.

With Regards,
John and family

      State of Idaho

Thanksgiving Proclamation

By the Governor

WE have abundant cause to be grateful for the many blessings vouchsafed to us since our last annual thanksgiving.        During the year we have advanced from the condition of territorial servitude to the full enjoyment of all the rights and privileges of the citizens of any State.      Our material property has all advanced with equal step.     All the sources of natural and artificial wealth with which our state is blessed beyond many of our sisters have been developed in equal ratio.        Many new and permanent homes have been established.        The area of cultivated lands has greatly increased.        The soil in apparent rejoicing with us has produced more than its accustomed yield.        Our mines have poured forth their hidden treasures in great abundance, thereby amply rewarding those engaged in this industry.          Our schools and churches have prospered in unison with the gifts of Nature and the progress of our citizens.        Peace, harmony and good will prevail among all classes of our people.        We have been blessed with health and innumerable other great gifts and blessings.

Being the recipient of such bountiful gifts, and in accordance with the Proclamation of the President of the United States, I, George L. Shoup, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby designate

Thursday, the 27^th Day of November, instant,

as a day of Prayer and Thanksgiving to the Great Giver of all that is good, and earnestly recommend that the people of the State assemble at appropriate and convenient places and in becoming reverence and gratitude give thanks and praise to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and supplicate a continuance of His watchful care and protection for the coming year.

              On the day of festival and thanksgiving forget not the poor, the afflicted, and the unfortunate. Your gifts and sympathetic words will dispel the chill of Autumn and bring warmth and sunlight to their hearts and homes.

 (SEAL OF THE                                         Given under my hand and the Seal of the State, at Boise

TERRITORY OF IDAHO)                                  City,  Idaho, this twelfth day of November, A. D. eighteen hundred and ninety.

                                                   George L. Shoup.

                                      By the Gonernor:

                                          A.  J. Pinkham,

                                                           Secretary.

(Below handwritten)
To Hon. F. Steunenberg
With Compliments of
Geo L. Shoup
Governor

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Other related posts and websites. 

Proclamation from Gov. Shoup regarding Idaho Statehood (ISHS).

George L. Shoup (from Wikipedia)

Constitution of the State of Idaho & the Act Providing for Admission of the State.
Prepared and published by A. J. Pinkham, Sec. of State.

Other Idaho Proclamations (ISHS Digital Collection).

Steunenberg (ISHS Digital Collection).

Monday, April 1, 2013 
Cattle Rancher, Idaho Governor, and U. S. Senator George L. Shoup [otd 04/01]
(from Evan Filby over at South Fork Companion). 

Shoup (ISHS Digital Collection).

George L. Shoup Statue. 

Monday, October 26, 2009
A Lot of Turkeys at the Old Idaho Penitentiary
(well at least it's turkey related).

Whoops, I almost forgot my George L. Shoup medal.

Of course I have a much more prized Frank Steunenberg medal too. 

Also see: National Capital Centennial - Program from 1900

Monday, February 14, 2011
COI Archives Spotlight #2 - 1/12/1890 original letter - Frank Steunenberg to family in Iowa

The other assassination

There has of course been much written and broadcast about the assassination of John F. Kennedy—particularly during this 50th anniversary. So I will leave the detailed analysis to the more skilled and knowledgeable writers and historians, will keep my comments short, and share only this brief reflection sent during the work day at about 10:30am on November 22, 2013 to a few co-workers and friends.

Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 10:29 AM
To: 

Subject: 10:30am 50 years ago

I believe it was about 10:30AM Pacific time when John Kennedy was assassinated 50 years ago. I was in the 7th grade at Weathersfield Elementary school (before middle schools came about) in Thousand Oaks, CA. The announcement was made over the intercom and we listened to the events unfolding on the radio during lunch at our outside table area. Regardless of ones party politics, I would say it was a pivotal moment and a wake up call to the political world for this otherwise oblivious young kid. The tumultuous 60’s were underway and further assassinations were to come (Martin, Bobby, etc.), the civil rights and united farm workers movements had taken root and of course the Vietnam war would come into greater personal focus as I moved nearer to draft age. Although I may not have realized it at the time, my future had changed forever on that day. So take a moment to reflect at 10:30am today, as be it you were born or not, or you know it or not—your life changed forever too. 

Addendum: I had only been cognizant of one assassination, Frank Steunenberg's, and barely knew anything about it at the time. Our family still did not speak about that tragedy very much.  Maybe I knew about Lincoln too but I was not yet the history freak that I am today. To have such a history changing assassination occur in my lifetime had never occurred to me. Little did I know what lie ahead. 

List of assassinated American politicians (scroll down for Frank).

The Legend of Uncle Angus McDonald! (a blog post I ran across. I will keep an eye out for Uncle Angus).

The Political Game (Idaho blogger, historian, political commentator Tara Rowe provides a nice series of articles and resources leading up to the 50th anniversary).

John F. Kennedy in Idaho

Speech of Senator John F. Kennedy, High School Auditorium, Pocatello, Idaho September 6, 1960

Senators Frank Church and John Kennedy

JFK & Idaho 
 

Pinkerton's Great Detective - The Amazing Life and Times of James McParland by Beau Riffenburgh

Yesterday I received my copy of the just released and much anticipated book, Pinkerton's Great Detective  - The Amazing Life and Times of James McParland. As we would expect in any McParland biography, the book dedicates a sizable section to Frank's assassination, Harry Orchard and the investigation and trial of Bill Haywood.

I was happy to see in the acknowledgments the inclusion of 'the Robert E. Smylie Archives of the College of Idaho for the GL Crookham Jr. Papers' and 'the Idaho State Archives, for the Pinkerton Papers of the James H. Hawley Papers.' So in return, I will give Mr. Riffenburgh a little free Idaho publicity. No doubt he and his publisher will make quite a bit more money in addition to the $20+ I already forked over. Let's hope the book is worth it.

Included in the book are some photographs of which we have become quite familiar over the years. In addition of course, topics such as the Molly Maguires, Butch Cassidy, the Wild Bunch and other outlaws and organizations pursued by and/or infiltrated by McParland look to be given ample attention.  

I am still usually a hard copy guy when it comes to books and that is the case here. Sure, you can do the electronic notes, posts-its and highlighting too, but it can't match the tactile experience of the real thing that connects you with the text and the story. If you ever see my tattered and taped research copy of Big Trouble then you would know what I mean.

So I am tossing the other books on my read list aside for the moment and diving into Pinkerton's Great Detective. Good or bad, no doubt it will have a place in my permanent book collection. I have put a cover on the jacket for protection but lets see how much I mess it up on the inside. That can go either way, and be a good sign or a bad one. I will let you know.

BTW, if you haven't visited last weeks post since it first went up, you might want to do so again as I have been adding more family names (and a dog!) to the Veteran's Day 2013 Honor Wall. It all continues to be a work in progress and additional information and photo's are welcomed.

Veterans Day 2013 - Fold3 Honor Wall

Click above and go to the Honor Wall.

A couple posts below from last year. For those with a connection to any branch of our family, let me know if you have more names/photos of veterans you would like me to add to this blog.

Sunday, November 11, 2012 
Veteran's Day....send your photographs

Sunday, November 11, 2012 
Veteran's-Other Wars (not WWII)

Fold 3 Honor Wall. These are all in process and more names and items will be added as time goes by. The Honor Roll is for all veterans from all wars, living and deceased.

Jule 'Juke' Steunenberg

Cal Steunenberg   } Jule, Cal and Frank are the sons of Julian and Francis S., my mothers brothers & my Uncles. 

Frank Steunenberg

Robert K. Steunenberg

Bernardus Steunenberg 

Robert J. Richards (my father John Sr.'s brother and my uncle). 

Nile C. Kinnick (not family but did find a connection).  

Ronald L. Longanecker (my wife Cindy's nephew).

Frederick J. Mandella (Cindy's paternal grandfather).

Walter 'Gary' Osborne (my brother). 

Timothy Underwood (my nephew). 

Justus L. Simpson (Way back on Grandma Francis S. side).  

Lewis Simpson (brother of Justus)

Sergeant Stubby (kind of reminds me of my old mutt from childhood).