Fruit and Nut Drop Cookies

1 cup soft shortening
2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour milk, or buttermilk
3 1/2 cups flour, sifted
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups broken pecans
2 cups candied cherries, halved
2 cups dates, chopped

Mix well the shortening, sugar, eggs. Stir in sour milk. Sift dry ingredients together and stir in shortening mixture. Stir in pecans, cherries, dates. Chill at least 1 hour. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls about 2-inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Place a pecan half on each cookie. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.