Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-02-16
me Greatest Of misunderstanding
eenees Of the Great Three Days
SnoW Storm I'm Minneaofa-

~ kAoAA otOFm OF 1910 was the most
violent known in the Northwest for fifty
years, as the records kept at Fort SHELL
ing showed. II was a violent electrical
storm extending over the whole North
west west, SO that the telegraph wires west of
Ohicago refused TO work.
t struck Minnesota on the 9TH of jan
uary, 1873, and ragged for three days.
the wind blowing a gale, the temper
AZURE being about eighteen degrees below
zero. and on the prairies the air was
nlled with snow as fine as -four. Through
every crevice, keyhole and nail hole the
snow penetrated, putting into houses
like steam. The numbered human lives
lost in Minnesota was about seventy.
The morning Of January z, 1873, was
beautiful and bright. The air was mild
and still, and farmers set out for town
or went 10 neighboring farms with their
teams. Generally il was thought that a
january thaw" was imminent: but
Prof. HumistOn, who had good an
aroid barometer. foretOld n storm. The
barometer had been falling for twenty
four hours, and never was known TO fall
30 low before.
Between twelve and one o'clock n
white wall was seen moving up from the
northwest upon Worthington. The front
Of the storm was distinct and almost as
clearly outlined rs great sheet. When
IL struck the town, farmers began to
scatter TO their homes. A number, how
ever, remained; and were housed up for
three days. Persons visiting in the viii
lage. only few squares from home. in
some instances remained until the storm
abrted. not daring to venture. out upon
the streets.
j. ii. Maxwell drove four miles against
the storm and then took refuge with a
neighboring farmer. not being able to
reach home. The Rev. Mr.. Stone
walked five miles facing the storm this
side Of Jackson, and finally took refuge
in sod shanty. A party OF Worthing-
ton men, among whom were DIR. Lang
don and Cornelius Stout, were caught
ON the road between WorthingtOn and
jackson and also remained showed up
in n sod house. A man north of Worth
ington was caught on the trackless
prairie driving an OK team. lie un-
hitched and unyoked the team, then took
hold Of one OK by the tail, and by twist
ing IL, kept the animal on the trot. The
other OK followed. and the man brought
up against his own wood pile. The
school in Indian Lake township was
taught by young lady in log school
house. The snow drifted i'm through
the crevices, and soon covered the
floor. The supply Of wood was soon eS.
hausted. and then the teacher and
scholars split up furniture and eked out
n scant fire until the storm abated. To
Keep up circulation they formed an In
dian file and marched around the stove
through the dreary days and long
nights till, on the third day they made
their escape. Joseph Poots was caught
in the storm in the western part of the
county, and lay for several days in
snow drift. Unfortunately his feet be-
came exposed, kicked the cover of, so
90 speak. and both feet were frozen and
had to be amputated.
A Mr.. Small, who lived four miles
southeast of Worthington. started from
town with m OK team and sled Just after
the storm struck us. He drove within n
few rods of his own door, and wandered
over the prairie till he came To some hay
stacks, around which rail fence had
been built. He evidently attempted to
climb the fence, but was too near gone
TO accomplish il. When found. the day
after the storm, he was standing with
one hand on the fence. covered with ice,
and as still as an icicle. A Mrs. Blixt,
who lived few miles beyond Mr.. Small,
went to the stable when the storm came
on to turn the cattle in. In attempting
Co return to the house the snow blinded
her, and she wandered of on the prairie
and persisted.
But the one case. among the three
fatal ones in Mobiles County, which has
been the subject of the greatest interest,
because Of the ghost story connected with
IL, was that OF John Weston. of Seward
township. Mr.. Weston had been To Ora
ham lakes and was returning with load
of wood when the storm caught him. He
drove across his own farm and missed
the house. Turned and went in n circle,
making the same circle twice, as shown
by the tracks of the sled. He then turned
north To the vicinity of the place now
owned by III. ID. Winters, in Graham
Lakes township. He abandoned his
team, and the oxen, after wandering
awhile, turned the yoke and choked To
death. Mr.. Weston from this point.
evidently concluded to walk with the
storm, and made bee line for Hersey.
He walked about twelve miles and fell
forward on his face. clutching the grass
rs he fell and the blood gushing from
his nose. His body was found the fol-
lowing spring. with the hands full Of
grass and the blood on his face.
The story Of John Wcston's ghost was
first published in the AdUdHce and widely
copied SO that II became known through
out the country. Weston appeared to
Mr.. Cosper. who Is still q residen. of
Seward township. and was an intimate
friend To Weston. A few days ago we
caught Mr.. CoSper in town and had the
story from his own lips. He is a prac-
tical. unimaginative man, and gives the
story in n circumstantial way.
The day after the storm Mr.. Cosper
had been out with some neighbors
searching for WestOn's body. He had
returned 10 his home and was at the
stable feeding his stock just before sun
down. H6 came out of the stable. and
passing around TO the east end. saw John
Weston coming up the path from the
creek. Weston had on the blue soldier
overcoat which he usually wore. His
hands were tucked up under the cape.
and he approached Cosper with his usual
smile and usual salutation. saying. 'How
goes itP'' Cosper said, "Why, Weston.
| thought you were frozen To deathr'
Weston replied: II am, and YOU will
lind my body n mile and n half north
west 81 Hcrseyw Saying this he van
ished. Mr.. Cosper SAYS that even after
Weston uVns ar-nr,e N to,tr hin, sor,. t;,,,o