OKOBOJO'S FIRST CHRISTMAS
(From The Watchman, January 5, 1884)

The people of this community assembled at our new schoolhouse and had what was perhaps the first free dinner in the county. The object of the gathering was to give our scattered settlers a better opportunity to get acquainted with each other and it proved to be a very pleasant occasion. The new school room was decorated for the occasion. Superintendent Staples furnished a number of maps and charts for the walls, contributed a turkey and had much to do with the origin of numerous pumpkin pies. He was placed at the head of the table and it was observed that he did no small part of the eating. This demonstrates that the people have not left Dakota, but that many families are making their homes here; also that the ladies can serve a dinner that will compare favorably with any we ever ate anywhere.