Thanksgiving, Leadville (Soda Springs) 1879

... And apparently a "good time was had by all" for Thanksgiving at nearby Soda Springs that year. According to this Evening Chronicle tidbit (dated November 28, 1879), dancing lasted 'til dawn... a good method of working off the turkey, duck, etc., consumed earlier, I have no doubt. (Note: Soda Springs features in a key scene in the second Silver Rush mystery, Iron Ties):

THANKS AT SODASPRINGS
It was ten minutes past four o’clock this morning before Thanksgiving festivities ceased at Soda Springs. They commenced with a dinner to the school teachers of Leadville at twelve o’clock yesterday noon. This was followed by a dinner to everybody who came down to six o’clock last evening. The everybody was three of Colonel Bair’s hack loads, besides a number who came by private carriage. They kept coming till past ten o’clock in the evening. At eight o’clock the large dining hall was cleared and the dance which continued till the light of day was commenced. All together the Thanksgiving at Mount Massive Hotel for the blessings of 1879 was one that will be pleasantly remembered as the weary road down through the journey of life is traveled.

Question that pops to mind: How many people fill up a "hack?" Ten? Twenty? ... Just one of those little mysteries of the past...