Blizzards of the 19th Century - Guest Post by Jodie Wolfe

Perhaps not many are aware of the great blizzards of the 19th Century, particularly from December 1885 to March 1888. The eastern United States and Great Plains suffered the most. It’s believed that a huge volcano explosion in the South Pacific in August 1883 was the cause of the huge snowstorms in the following few years.

A couple years before this storm, Laura Ingalls Wilder chronicled the effect of blizzards in her book The Long Winter that hit the Dakota Territory in 1880-81. Old photos show a train track cleared of snow and 8-12 feet of snow on either side in Minnesota. 

It’s reported in towns the drifts were as high as the buildings and people had to dig tunnels to be able to get around. Some folks were caught out in the storm because of the fierce wind and snow. People became lost and disoriented, sometimes dying a few yards from their home. Some prepared as the storm hit by tying a rope between their homes and a barn so they wouldn’t become lost in the blinding winds and snow.

On January 1-3 and January 6-8, 1886, a set of blizzards swept across the plains in what would become known as “The Great Blizzard of 1886.” Temperatures dropped to 30 degrees below zero with negative

wind chills. Drifts as high as twelve feet or more were common throughout the state of Kansas.

Before the storm hit, temperatures had been quite warm and rainy. One report I read from a Kansas farmer commented about how much his cows drank because of the heat.
An estimated 100 lives lost in the Kansas storm, were attributed to freezing to death. Over seventy-five percent of the livestock were decimated during this storm in some areas – over 100,000 cattle. Wildlife also lost their lives by freezing to death.

Train travel stalled with 12-foot-high drifts covering the tracks.

A storm that hit March 11-14, 1888, was often referred to as the ‘Great White Hurricane’. Warm temperatures were followed by plunging temperatures and wicked winds. The East Coast was blanketed in 50 feet high drifts. Boston, New York, and other cities were hit hard by snow blocking roads, knocking out telephone, telegraph, and rail service for several days. Many lives were lost in this storm.

What an incredible time in history, particularly if you’re a snow lover like me. :) I enjoyed utilizing the information from these blizzards in my upcoming book release, Convincing Lou.

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW). She's been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.

Convincing Lou 

How hard can it be to round up one delinquent groom? 

Ellie Lou Williams will do just about anything to save her ranch, even going undercover as a man to round up a fella who is late to his own wedding. The reward will more than cover the money she owes the bank and solve all her problems.

Caleb Martin agrees to one final job as a deputy U.S. Marshal before he starts his new life away from the trail and tracking criminals. What he isn’t counting on is a mysterious bounty hunter who’s determined to undermine his every step.

Will one reach their goal first? Or will they learn to lean on God and work together?

*Winter images royalty free use from Pixabay.