The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-02-09
WELCOMED BY A BLIZZARD.
An Eastern woman's First Experience in
Dakota,
Special Correspondence.

New YORK, Jan. 23.-I am reminded by
the terrible blizzard reported from the west
this year Of my first blizzard experience.
had been visiting friends in Wisconsin, and
had decided to go further west and visit other
friends in Dakota l was to leave the rail.
road at small way station and the tall
young man who met me assured me, as be
helped me into the sleigh box, that we had a
good eighteen mile drive ahead of us.
We journeyed for miles in silence, but at
last | became curious about the strange
meanings that seemed to fill the air-some-
times overhead, sometimes on one side or the
other, sometimes near by, and anon afar off
When ! asked the young, man he looked grave
and said briefly:
''rm afraid they mean blizzard"
"Aly Cod" cried l in horror, "let us &c
back"
He shook his head
mo use We are over half way there
now and can only get on as fast as possible "
Another mile was passed in silence. Then
one horse stumbled and fell to its knees.
Aided by the rein, it regained its feet. but
limped painfully. 1t had cast a Shoe
From that time our progress was painfully
slow. Soon the first slow heavy flakes of
snow began to descend. Gradually it in
creased in density, until we could not see be
yond the horses heads. Our rate of progress
was only slow walk Suddenly the wind
began to blow furiously The cold had in
creased and the snow was now very fine.
never in my life had known such II wind.
Not strong steady blast, but circling up
ward, downward, all about, drifting the
snow in binding sheet.
My companion drew the robes and blan-
kets closely around me. The horses, in
stinctively alarmed, advanced more rapidly
for time, but the exertion was too painful
for the injured one, and they soon resumed
the slow plodding walk. Soon a different
sound under the sleigh showed that we were
out Of the road.
To add to our frightful danger it grew
rapidly dark. We were still moving, for
fear lent strength to the poor horses; but to-
ward what point of the compass we could not
tell.
AT last they stopped, utterly exhausted.
Their master climbed out into the snow,
which was even with the sleigh box, as
found by putting out my hand If had
been stone blind | could have seen as much.
knew he went to the horses and when we
started on and lie did not return, knew he
was leading them, But that could not last
long.
At last the horses stopped, and no urging
could induce them to take another step.
Then the driver resumed his place in
the sleigh. The snow drifted around US like
a pail, save when he beat it away from our
heads.
sat gloomily staring into the darkness,
which at last noticed was much denser in
front than on either side. When was sure,
called his attention to the fact. He strained
his eyes in that direction for a moment, then
with a shout leaped into the yielding snow.
| could not see what he did, but found
afterward that he took the lines from his
harness, buckled them together, and fastened
oEe end to the ring in the end of the sleigh
tongue, the other to his arm. Then he wal
lowed through the snow in the direction we
had spoken of. Before he reached the end of
the line, he found himself among some trees,
and knew we had gone miles out of our way,
and reached the only timber in the region,
a cottonwood grove on the river bank.
Following the line back to the sleigh he gave
me the news, adding that we We're saved.
After incredible eXertion, the tired horses
drew the sleigh in among the trees. There
the full force Of the terrible wind was not
felt, and the snow was not so deep. l was
fast becoming benumbed with cold, but was
dimly conscious of what was going on.
No man in that country ever travels in the
winter without shovel and ak. In mad haste
they were piled in this instance, for my COM
panion was alarmed by my drowsy replies.
a place was quickly cleared of snow, and the
horses led into it. Then the side was split
from the sleigh box, and with some difficulty
a fire was kindled.
He then lifted me bodily from the sleigh,
and shook and scolded at me until l was
aroused. After which he led me up and
down, up and down, cleared space until
| was aglow with warmth and begged pite-
ously for rest. Assured Of my well being,
he turned his attention to the poor horses
and rubbed and blanketed them.
All night the cruel storm ragged, but day
dawned clear and beautiful. From the sup
plies Kent was bringing from town, for he
was my friends brother, we made out good
breakfast. The hay put in the sleigh to add
to our comfort served for breakfast for the
horses.
by noon we had regained the road, and we
soon met party in search of us. Such was
my welcome to Dakota. r. j.
a Western farmer says that dark horses
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