The Heart of General Washington

By Elaine Marie Cooper 

Valley Forge is often referred to as the birthplace of the American Army. But like most births it was wrought with significant pain and difficulty. That winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge, PA is notorious for the cold, for disease and for starvation. “Bloody footprints in the snow left by bootless men,” wrote Ron Avery of the Philadelphia Daily News. “Near naked soldiers wrapped in thin blankets huddled around a smoky fire of green wood. The plaintive chant of the starving: ‘We want meat. ‘We want meat.’” “An army of skeletons appeared before our eyes naked, starved, sick and discouraged,” wrote New York’s Governor Morris of the Continental Congress. Members of that Congress had gone to visit the troops after General Washington had pleaded with them for help. While many in Congress thought the complaints of poor conditions in the camp were exaggerated, they soon learned the opposite was true. Conditions were worse than anyone could imagine. A total of at least 2,000 men—one in 6—died that winter of diseases, including influenza, typhus, typhoid fever, and dysentery. Some estimates of illness-related casualties were as high as 3,000. A hospital was built in nearby Yellow Springs that accommodated about 300 soldiers. General Washington once took the time to visit the hospital, sharing a few words with each of his men. “He earned the love of his soldiers,” said Ed Dengel, Associate Editor of George Washington’s papers. “He (Washington) cared if they lived or if they died.” It’s no wonder then that Reverend Nathaniel Snowden, an ordained Presbyterian minister, wrote in his own hand about a sacred moment observed by a friend named Isaac Potts. It was a stirring observation by Mr. Potts of General Washington kneeling alone in the woods, beseeching his maker for help.

Here in Rev. Snowden’s hand is the story: "I knew personally the celebrated Quaker Potts who saw Gen'l Washington alone in the woods at prayer. I got it from himself, myself. … 
"I was riding with him (Mr. Potts) in Montgomery County, Penn'a near to the Valley Forge, where the army lay during the war of ye Revolution. Mr. Potts was a Senator in our State & a Whig. I told him I was agreeably surprised to find him a friend to his country as the Quakers were mostly Tories. He said, 'It was so and I was a rank Tory once, for I never believed that America c'd proceed against Great Britain whose fleets and armies covered the land and ocean, but something very extraordinary converted me to the Good Faith!" "What was that," I inquired? 'Do you see that woods, & that plain. It was about a quarter of a mile off from the place we were riding, as it happened.' 'There,' said he, 'laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of ye war, and all were for giving up the Ship but that great and good man. In that woods pointing to a close in view, I heard a plaintive sound as, of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling & went quietly into the woods & to my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis, & the cause of the country, of humanity & of the world. 'Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. 'I went home & told my wife. I saw a sight and heard today what I never saw or heard before, and just related to her what I had seen & heard & observed. We never thought a man c'd be a soldier & a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. She also was astonished. We thought it was the cause of God, & America could prevail.' "He then to me put out his right hand & said 'I turned right about and became a Whig.'" Mr. Snowden, as if to emphasize the piety of Washington sets forth in his records that he often saw Washington, that he accompanied seventy other clergymen to visit him on the anniversary of his birth February 22, 1792. Then Mr. Snowden adds:

"I felt much impressed in his presence and reflected upon the hand and wonderful Providence of God in raising him up and qualifying him with so many rare qualities and virtues for the good of this country and the world. Washington was not only brave and talented, but a truly excellent and pious man of God and of prayer. He always retired before a battle and in any emergency for prayer and direction." Such an awesome story of an awesome General and future president. If this story sounds familiar, the depiction of Washington on his knees praying in the woods has been painted more than once. I’ve always loved this painting, and now love it even more, since it’s based on a true event. For more information on Valley Forge, you can read these posts. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/valley-forge https://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/prayer.html https://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/vstory_unhealthy.html

 


Elaine Marie Cooper is excited that her first three-book saga has now been released in a bundle set! It can be purchased in either kindle version from Amazon or as paperbacks, directly from CrossRiver Media.The bundle version includes Road to Deer Run, Promise of Deer Run and Legacy of Deer Run. Her recent novel, Scarred Vessels, is a finalist in the 2021 Selah Awards Contest. Her novel, Love’s Kindling was the second-place winner in Historical Romance for the 2020 Selah Awards. Like many of Cooper’s books, they focus on the era of the American Revolution. She has authored several historical novels, a non-fiction memoir called Bethany's Calendar, and has been published in numerous anthologies (Including Chicken Soup for the Soul) and several magazines. Although not a current resident of New England, Cooper’s heart for history was birthed there and continues to thrive. She is married, has two sons, a daughter in heaven, and 5 of the most wonderful grandchildren ever. :)

Snowballs for All

 by Anita Mae Draper

Postcard from California postmarked St. George, Brant, (Ontario) May 18, 1908. Public Domain, Courtesy of South Dumfries Historical Society

The month of March is known for winter making a last blustery stand before its power wanes and the warming sun melts snow. This provides the perfect temperature for making sticky snowballs. The postcard featured above was sent from Los Angeles, California on May 13, 1908 to St. George, Ontario. The reverse starts off by saying that the sender is leaving California with regret and will be home soon by way of Chicago. Although the snow should be gone by May, one never knows when it comes to our weather.

Children Snowballing Near Observatory, St. Louis (Shaw's) Botanical Garden, [Mo.] c1905. Public Domain

This 1905 stereograph taken at the St Louis Botanical Garden in Missouri shows a snowball exchange between children on the site of the observatory. I had thought the person with an armload of snowballs might have been an adult, but considering the year, the short length of her outfit appears to negate that guess.

Did you know that many communities have bylaws concerning the throwing of snowballs? It is usually necessitated and enforced when the act hurts others, whether children or adults. The article from the Newmarket Era shows a good example of a bylaw to stop bullying. If only it was that easy the rest of the year.

Imperial Oil's office staff snowball fight, Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, BC. 1915-1916.  Courtesy Glenbow Archives, Alberta

An interesting photograph from 1915-1916 found at the Glenbow Archives in Alberta shows a snowball fight at noon between office staff members at Imperial Oil's refinery (Ioco), Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, British Columbia. The body language in this candid shot seems to imply the male is threatening to throw the snowballs, although we don't know if he completed the action. 

Hans Dahl -  Snowball fight and snowman, by 1937. Public Domain

On the other hand, the women in this Hans Dahl painting have chosen to direct their snowballs at a snowman. Are they aiming for his hat, face, or the club-like stick in his hands? 

A Republican-Democratic snow battle at the Capitol. Page boys. December 14, 1923. Public Domain

Does it seem natural to anyone else that a snowball fight would occur between Republican and Democratic page boys at the Capitol? This became an annual snow battle on the Capitol grounds until at least 1930, as long as good snowball making material was available.

Snow scenes. Snowballing on Jaffa Road. January 1942. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Although Jerusalem isn't known for its snowy scenes, the city does experience it every three or four years in varying amounts. Back in 1942, an overnight snowfall brought the community, including soldiers, out along the Jaffa Road to try their hand at target practice. 

Have you ever been hit by a snowball? How did you respond?

This closes my series on snowball throwing, an activity to be enjoyed for all if done responsibly. Follow the links for other posts in this series:

Jan 5, 2021: Snowballs Go Way Back

Feb 5, 2021: Snowball Fights in War and Play

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Anita Mae Draper served a 20-year term working on air bases in the communication trade of the Canadian Armed Forces before retiring to the open skies of the prairies. She uses her experience and love of history to pepper her stories of yesteryear's romance with realism as well as faith. Anita Mae Draper's published stories appear in Barbour Publishing, WhiteFire Publishing, and Guideposts Books. Readers can enrich their story experience with visual references by checking out Anita's Pinterest boards. All links available on her website at www.anitamaedraper.com 

Snowball Fights in War and Play

by Anita Mae Draper

The Snowball Battle near Dalton, Georgia. Mar 22, 1864. Public Domain

Alfred Rudolph Waud (1828-1891) was an American artist and illustrator who sketched a snowball battle between several divisions of Confederate soldiers while they were encamped near Dalton, Georgia on March 22, 1864. Waud's artwork on the American Civil War caught people's attention, especially the mock battle which has been called by some as the greatest snowball fight of all time. Although we don't often think of soldiers having fun, a snowball fight is a good form of exercising multiple muscles as well as relieving pent up emotions. (see my last post, Snowballs Go Way Back)

The February 26, 1881 issue of the Canadian Illustrated News carried an image called, Snowball fight between First Nations boys, Red River, Manitoba. On the Canadian prairies, a rebellion by the Metis people, who were led by Louis Riel, culminated in the North-west Rebellion of 1885. This was a time when the North-West Mounted Police often stood between the First Nations, the Metis, and the settlers. Winters were brutal on the prairies. Tensions often ran high. Snowball fights were serious affairs, especially to those of the verge of a major conflict.

Snowball Fight Between First Nations Boys, Red River, Manitoba, 1881. Glenbow Archives

In 1895 the Lothrop Publishing Company of Boston printed the book, The Boy Life of Napoleon, Afterwards Emperor of the French. The title page states that the book was adapted and extended for American Boys and Girls from Madame Eugenie Foa's French version. Chapter Twelve under the heading of The Great Snow-Ball Fight at Brienne School is fascinating. Not only does it show a snowball fight which went of for nearly ten days, it also shows Napoleon's legendary military skills from a very early age. The Boy Life of Napoleon (gutenberg.org)

The Great Snow-Ball Fight at Brienne School. (Young Napoleon). Public Domain

In 1897, the Lumiere Brothers of France put out a short film about a snowball fight. It was one of several films the brothers made between 1895 and 1905 before stating that "the cinema is an invention without any future." Instead, they switched to the color printing process and refused to sell their Cinematographe motion picture system to anyone else. This was even after a single showing of a short film to a private audience, followed by a paying audience, both in 1895, put the Lumiere Brothers down in history as founders of the birth of cinema. 

The YouTube Channel Nineteenth Century Videos, Back to Life, gives an interesting look at history in motion.

Do you like watching the old black and white films even though you can't hear what they are saying?

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Anita Mae Draper served in the communication trade of the Canadian Armed Forces before retiring to the open skies of the prairies. She uses her experience and love of history to pepper her stories of yesteryear's romance with realism and faith. Anita Mae Draper's published stories appear in Barbour Publishing, WhiteFire Publishing, and Guideposts Books. Readers can enrich their story experience with visual references by checking out Anita's Pinterest boards. All links available on her website at www.anitamaedraper.com

 

Snowballs Go Way Back

by Anita Mae Draper

Snowball Fight, Anonymous (Flemish), circa 1510. Public Domain, courtesy of The Walters Art Museum, Wikimedia

A snowball can be classified as the simplest, most economical toy for all ages. It's free. It's usually fun. It's good exercise for muscles you didn't know you had, and when thrown at the wrong target, the evidence often disappears. The above image by an unknown Flemish artist is from the December page in a Book of Hours. Created on parchment using ink and paint, the complete illuminated page is a beautiful illustration of 1510 artwork, yet it's the snowball fight I want to explore. Are they only throwing snowballs at each other, or is the middle person aiming to try the man leading a donkey in the background?

One hundred years earlier, Venceslao Boemo, an Italian artist, created a fresco of a snowball fight at the base of the Buonconsiglio Castle in Trento, northern Italy. Unlike the first image, the participants in this painting appear to be of higher birth, based on their garments and yet they seem to be enjoying the sport just as much. 

Snowball Fight at Buonconsiglio Castle, Trento, Italy, c1400. Public Domain, Wikimedia

Cornelis Dusart (1660-1704) was a Dutch painter, draftsman, and printmaker. He was born and died in Haarlem, Netherlands, and used colored chalks and watercolor for his remarkable drawings of peasants. His work of a peasant pair throwing snowballs is thought to have been published on the March page of an Amsterdam calendar between 1680 and 1690.

Month of March, by Cornelis Dusant, c1680-1690. Public Domain, Wikimedia

Of course, the throwing of snowballs made great imagery for satirical drawings in newspapers and periodicals, such as this drawing published by Laurie & Whittle, London, England in 1794. The accompanying description reads, "Two well-dressed young women (left) stand behind a tree with snow-balls to pelt a thin and elderly man in old-fashioned dress (right) who walks in profile to the right, clenching his fist and holding up his stick. He is plastered with patches of snow. A third young woman kneels behind the others, making a snowball. Three others (right) are amused."

Snowballs, published 12th May 1794, by Laurie & Whittle, London. Creative commons, courtesy of the British Museum.

Snowball fights are a good way for a novelist to ramp up, or relieve tension between the hero and heroine. Do you know of any Regency or Victorian romance novels, novellas or short stories that use a well-thrown snowball to gain attention or have some fun? I know that Mary Balogh has included a snowball scene in her novel, Someone to Trust. Who knows another one?

Update: Thanks to Linda Shenton Matchett, another HHH blogger, for sharing that she has a snowball fight between the male and female protagonists in her WWII novellette, A Doctor in the House. 

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Anita Mae Draper served a 20-year term working on air bases in the communication trade of the Canadian Armed Forces before retiring to the open skies of the prairies. She uses her experience and love of history to pepper her stories of yesteryear's romance with realism and faith. Anita Mae Draper's published stories appear in Barbour Publishing, WhiteFire Publishing, and Guideposts Books. Readers can enrich their story experience with visual references by checking out Anita's Pinterest boards. All links available on her website at www.anitamaedraper.com

Sleigh Bells and a Giveaway

by Anita Mae Draper

Lady in cutter, Calgary, Alberta, ca 1910. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives

The winter songs that merrily sing out about sleigh bells jingling at Christmas weren't just a holiday tradition, but in many snow regions were a legal requirement to winter transportation. The reason being that fast gliding sleighs and other conveyances on steel runners were often the cause of accidents to the unwary. A leather strap of bells, as in the above photograph, was an easy way to warn the public as well as comply with any local laws concerning winter driving.

Porcupine Advance (Porcupine, Ontario, Canada), 23 Jan 1924

Although many states and provinces have taken the sleigh bell law off the books, it is still illegal to drive a horse-drawn sleigh without bells in Ontario, Canada, where according to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, "Every person travelling on a highway with a sleigh or sled drawn by a horse or other animal shall have at least two bells attached to the harness or to the sleigh or sled in such a manner as to give ample warning sound."

Court records found in the London, Ontario public library show a common occurrence in 1877 for sleigh drivers to be fined $1.50 for driving a sleigh without having bells attached. 

Depending on size and how they are made, sleigh bells give off sounds from merry jingling to heavy clunking. The image below shows round bells with a single slit, called a throat, that is one open cut across the diameter to let out the sound of the iron pellet or ball bearing rolling around inside. Sleigh bells don't hang down like an open bell, but are riveted to the strap, or held in place with a shank, and stand upright for the best sound quality. 

Crotal bells with iron ball bearings, 19th century. Courtesy of National Museum of American History

There are no rules to how many bells are too many, or how elaborate sleigh bells and their harness can be. Take this late 16th to mid 17th century pen and ink watercolor from a Nuremberg, Germany parade which shows an impressive harness with many bells.

Album of Tournaments and Parades in Nuremberg, Germany. Public Domain, Wikipedia

Sleigh bells are known by several names and shapes depending on the region. What we call petal bells in North America are referred to as crotal bells in the United Kingdom. Manufacturers of petal bells - on both sides of the ocean - go back 400 years and vary in size from 3/4 inch to over 4 inches or more. Older petal bells have a ridge around the middle and two to four holes cast into the lower half. The older they are, the more decorative, with manufacturers initials or the size engraved near the throat. 

Crotal bell cast by the Robert Wells bell foundry of Aldbourne, Wiltshire, U.K. Public Domain Wikipedia

Early catalogs show strap with bells alone, or with chimes attached. The open bottom chimes added a melodious sound to the jangling strap of bells and could be heard from a greater distance. 

Strap Bells, Sears, Roebuck and Co., 1896. Public Domain

Chimes were often used alone where they sat above the horses back. Open bottom shaft bells were attached to the sleigh's trace, or shaft. This 1890 catalog from R. S. Luqueer & Company shows a variety of what was available at the time. 

Bells and Chimes, 1890 catalog. Public Domain

As a modern collector of jingle bells, I bought a strap of sleigh bells a few years ago and then gave it to my daughter. This year, my son is in his first apartment and drooled over my leather wreath with large sleigh bells attached, so I gave it to him. I am left with this modern reproduction assortment, none of which are worth anything of value, but pleasurable enough when it comes to testing their different shapes and sound quality. 

Anita's Jingle Bell assortment

Personally, I love the sound of No. 2 Ring of Jingle Bells which have hung on our front door Christmas wreath in winter weather for several years. I also like the richer tone of No. 3 and No. 5 which appear to be made of the same metal but have different throats. For contrast, No. 6 is an open bell and not a jingle bell.

I found this interesting video where you can hear and learn about the different sounds of sleigh bell types. More pics and info on their post by the same name.
Everything You Never Knew You Never Knew About Sleigh Bells

If you are interested in sleighs and horse-drawn winter conveyances, check out my post,  https://www.hhhistory.com/2017/12/sleighs-cutters-carioles.html for info and images from the past.

Have you ever been on a sleigh ride? Have you heard the sound of sleigh bells? Care to share your thoughts?

Giveaway of one new signed copy of a small hardcover book, A Cup of Christmas Cheer Volume One: Tales of Faith and Family for the Holidays to one person who leaves their email address in the comments of this post. 
Deadline to enter is Dec 5, 2019 at midnight PST. 
My first published story, Riding on a Christmas Wish, is part of this collection and is set in 1911 Ontario, Canada. Riding on a Christmas Wish features sleigh riding so if you liked this post, enter today for a chance to win the book.

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Anita Mae Draper lives on the Canadian prairies where she uses her experience and love of history to enhance her stories of yesteryear's romance with realism and faith. Readers can enrich their story experience with visual references by checking Anita's Pinterest boards. All links available on her website at www.anitamaedraper.com

St. Paul Winter Carnival

As a native Minnesotan, I'm used to people from other parts of the country misunderstanding winter in the North Star State. Yes, it gets cold (but only in the winter), and yes, we get a lot of snow (most years), but no, it's not cold year-round and it's not so cold that we can't enjoy December, January, and February.

In 1885 a New York reporter visited St. Paul and declared the city to be another Siberia. He said it was "unfit for human habitation." Offended by the attack (and rightly so!), the people of St. Paul decided to retaliate by showing the world how much fun winter in Minnesota can be.

In 1886 the St. Paul Winter Carnival was born and holds the title of being the oldest winter festival in the United States, predating the Tournament of Roses Festival by two years. That first year, it was held in the month of January and included bobsledding, ice horse racing (on frozen lakes), a royal crowning, dogsled races, snow and ice sculpting contests, a parade and much more.

1886

One of the highlights of the first Winter Carnival was this ice castle. It was designed by Alexander Hutchinson, the man who designed ice palaces in Montreal the three years previous. It was built with over 35,000 blocks of ice taken from Minnesota lakes and cost about $5,210. It was 106 feet tall. In comparison, the castle built in 1992 (shown below) cost $1,900,000 and stood 165 feet tall (a Guiness World Record). 

1888

The ice castle has been the centerpiece of a festival that has continued to grow for many years. 

1986

1992

2004

Ice Sculptures

Snow Sculptures

The carnival was canceled in 1889 and 1890, due to extreme temperatures--and not because it was too cold. It was canceled because the temps were too high those years and it would be impossible to build the palace, skate on the lakes, or do any of the other winter activities for which the carnival had become famous.

A wonderful book to check out if you're interested in the fascinating history of the St. Paul Winter Carnival is called Fire & Ice, by Moira F. Harris.

What about you? Would you visit a winter carnival? Do you live in a cold weather climate? Have you been ice skating or sledding?

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events.

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Historic New York Winters

Being a lifelong New York Yankee, (no not a baseball team player, but a bonafide citizen) has made me a lover of winter and that dreaded four letter word, S N O W. Perhaps part of that comes from my maiden name, Talvi, which means winter in the Finnish language. Whatever the reason, I always get a thrill when I hear a snowstorm is on the way. It stands to reason that winter has created some pretty amazing history in my home state. New York boasts historic blizzards, a century old winter festival, even one of the most photographed and toured Christmas/winter destinations in the world. 

The Great Blizzard holds infamy as the one of the worst, longest, and most deadly snowstorms on record, and spanned several Northeastern states. Between March 10 and 14, 1888 a powerful system carrying moisture moved up the east coast, meeting with an Arctic blast moving down from Canada. Heavy rains turned to a colossal snowstorm--one for the record books. New York saw the deepest snowfall levels, recorded in Troy and Saratoga, each measuring over 50 inches. The system, also called The Great White Hurricane, brought formidable winds. In New York City,  40-plus mile an hour sustained blowing, with gusts recorded at over 70 miles per hour, created drifts in places over 50 feet high, covering three story houses and virtually shutting the metropolis down for over a week. 

400 people lost their lives to this storm, over 200 in New York City alone. But it brought about much needed change at a time that defined technological advances and modernization. Elevated trains that had been paralyzed in the aftermath of the storm were thereafter designed to run underground where ice couldn't derail or snow piles impede. Gas, telephone, and telegraph lines knocked down in the storm took weeks to restore. With growing populations increasingly dependent on these utilities, their infrastructure went subterranean as well. 

A decade later, a happier story evolved at Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks. The longest running winter carnival on the east coast had its beginnings in this logging community where a tuberculosis clinic brought sufferers flocking to seek cure in the cool, pristine climate. Local winter activity enthusiasts formed the Pontiac Club, to celebrate the area's perfect setup for skiing, skating, snowshoeing, hockey, and sledding during the long winter months. In February of 1897 a one-day winter festival was held, with attendees decked out in formal wear. Subsequent carnivals commenced on odd years, their duration longer, and activities broadened to include the annual building of the Ice Palace and nomination of its Ice King and Queen, community fireworks, parades, sports activities and competitions, theater, and a button exchange. 

But perhaps New York's most famous winter scene, depicted in movies such as Elf and Home Alone 2, is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and skating rink. The first Rockefeller Center tree was erected by construction workers building Rockefeller Center in 1931. It was a small and informal tree, decorated with simple Depression-era paper garlands and popcorn strings. Two years later, the official tradition kicked off, with a grand 50-foot tree resplendent with electric lights. On completion of Rockefeller Center, a skating rink adorned the plaza below the tree in 1936. 

Photo by Magda Ehlers from Pexels

Interesting trivia about the Rockefeller Center tree: 

• During WWII and after the attack on the World Trade Center, decorations featured patriotic colors and themes. In fact, durung the war three smaller trees stood in place of one large one, each festooned in red, white, or blue respectively. And because of mandatory blackouts, the trees held no lights from 1944-5.
• The tree lighting was first televised in 1951.
• 1971 the tree was first mulched and used for nature trails in upper Manhattan.
• eco-friendly LED lights were first used in 2007
• 2007 the tree lumber was first milled and donated to Habitat for Humanity.

❆❅❄❆ What are some of your most prominent winter memories? Maybe where you live, snow is a rare occurrence. Do you have a favorite movie or historic event that involves winter or snow scenes? Would love to hear about it!

Kathleen L. Maher has had an infatuation with books and fictional heroes ever since her preschool crush, Peter Rabbit. She had a novella in BARBOUR's 2018 Victorian Christmas Brides Collection, featuring her hometown of Elmira, New York. She won the 2012 ACFW Genesis contest for her Civil War story, which released this past summer under a new title The Abolitionist’s Daughter. Look for upcoming releases in 2019, including another Barbour collection, Lessons in Love, set to release in October. Kathleen shares an old farmhouse in upstate New York with her husband, children, and a small zoo of rescued animals.

Follow Kathleen on Facebook,  Twitter and  Amazon

Winter Travel by Caboose

Heated caboose on sleigh runners labelled "Saskatoon Beer", 1900-1909. Source:

Western Development Museum Curatorial Centre, Saskatoon, SK

Did the above image grab your attention? It sure caught mine. I was researching images of winter transportation, such as school bus sleighs in heavy snow zones, when I happened upon what I first thought was an early party bus. Considering it is heated by a stove and shows two women and a man in well-dressed clothing, it seemed to be the right setting. However, further research seems to indicate that the heated caboose in this 1900-1909 photograph was actually used to transport beer from Saskatoon Brewing Company to Saskatchewan's thirsty bars, and not the people who would drink it.


The word caboose intrigued me as I'd only heard it referred to as the back end of a train, but when I searched for winter caboose I found an exhibit for 100 Years of Transportation in Lanigan and District at virtualmuseum.ca. Thanks to the Lanigan & District Heritage Centre for granting permission to show them here. 

Home-made Winter Caboose, ca 1940. Courtesy of the Lanigan & District Heritage Centre, Lanigan, SK

The common denominator of a caboose is the presence of a small stove. In the accompanying text, Marion Barclay writes, "...They were quite comfortable and warm. You plodded along and you never got there very fast. It was a little better than walking."

I discovered that a caboose was often invented and built by a farmer for any winter travel whether it was for school use, church, shopping, or visiting.

Closed-In Rig, circa. 1930. Courtesy of the Lanigan & District Heritage Centre, Lanigan, SK

One prairie province over to the left, Alberta was using the same type of caboose for winter travel. Sometimes they would take an old car or buggy topper and put it on a wooden sleigh bottom - anything to stop the wind and keep the heat inside.

Go-devil sleigh, Dorothy area, Alberta, ca. 1930s. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Calgary, AB

Heading back into Saskatchewan, we see how a Catholic priest completed his parish circuit during the prairie winter. 

Father Thomas J. Ash near Meacham, Saskatchewan, n.d. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Calgary, AB

You can see the smoke stack in some of the photographs, such as this one from the Sask History Online site with the Western Development Museum (WDM) which shows two women waving from the inside. A note written across the top says, "One like this tipped over with mom inside." 

"One like this tipped over with mom inside", 1930-1939. Courtesy of the Western Development Museum Curatorial Centre, Saskatoon, SK

Also with the WDM we have this image of a caboose showing a man and children with lunch pails. It doesn't say if they were going to school, work, or whatever, but it looks like they would be gone for the day.

The rig we used for winter travel ‘47. Courtesy of the Western Development Museum Curatorial Centre, Saskatoon, SK

Travelling east to the prairie province of Manitoba we find what they called an "Early Bombadier [sic] type bus" used to ferry miners to the Flin Flon mines. I'm fairly sure they meant a Bombardier, although as an anglophone, I remember calling it a "bombadeer" in my younger days as well.

Early bombadier type bus, Manitoba. Ca. 1930s. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Calgary, AB

In the 1950s, the Lanigan School Unit purchased a Bombardier for getting students to and from school, and by that time the winter caboose had started to look like the modern version we know today.

Lanigan School Unit No. 40, 1950-1960. Courtesy of the Lanigan & District Heritage Centre, Lanigan, SK

As you've noticed, all of the above images are from the Canadian prairies, but not for want of looking. When I crossed the Manitoba border into Minnesota, however, I found this one in the fonds of the Beltrami Island reforestation project...

This cabin was mounted on sleigh last winter to transport four children to and from school. July 1936. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

The writeup for the Beltrami Island one says, "This cabin was mounted on sleigh last winter to transport four children to and from school. A stove was kept inside to protect them from the severe cold. The children only missed one day of school the entire winter. Used to leave the house at 6:30 a.m. so as to get to school by 8:30 a.m."

There should be more of these types of images in photo albums and museums all across the snow belt of America and I'd love to show them here as well. If you know of any pre 1950 images like the ones above please let me know, either here in the comments or through the Contact page of my website.

Do you have a preference for winter travel when all of the above images are taken into consideration?

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Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details.  Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience.  Discover more at:

Website - www.anitamaedraper.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/