Chocolate Cookies

This recipe is from the collection of my great grandmother Viola Widmann Weigel.
1/2 cup lard
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour milk
1 cup nuts and dates
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
3 squares chocolate OR 3 teaspoons cocoa
Mix in order given and drop by teaspoon on greased cookie sheet.