So, what was it? I've never heard of one!
Sausages, potatoes, and corn on the cob.
I found out the name comes from the old pioneer days (in Nebraska, "pioneer" = circa 1880-1910) when large cooking utensils were scarce, if they could be had at all, and some event demanded a big feed.
One lined the inside of a dairy cream can with sweet corn, and putting sausages and potatoes in the center, brewed the whole bit over a fire.
It was done this way because nobody had big pots and kettles.
I had the corn-on-the-cob and a cornmeal muffin.