Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-24
A REMARKABLE YEAR.
xroKyERN nuEpREp AND SIXTEEN THE
YEAR WITHOUT A SUMNER
History Of ons Of the cslisst Years on
Record Frost Throughout the Summer
Distress and Want cccasioned.


ana cold Wklcn nave Iccenhy cisiihcu
public attention, have afforded both en-
tertainment and instruction. But the
year 1916 presents q record Of such phe-
nomenal weather continuing throughout
the whole year as must claim the interest
OF the casual reader as well as the pro-
found thought Of the student OF nature
and of history. The year 1916 is cele-
brated in history above all Others re-
cordcd'in this: II was year that had no
summer.
The first months OF this remarkable
year gave no indication OF the strange
weather that was TO follow. January and
February were mild rather than severe,
for the season, with no unusual or pro-
longed cold weather. Still, without be-
INC unusually severe, there was sufficient
wind snd vet, Snow and ice, cold and
Cloem, toI make the first hsrbinger, OF
suring pleasant visitor The dull mo-
notonOus days. the enforced indoor life,
and the bleak and barren aspect OF
winter create a longing ard sn impa-
sience for the bright snnshine and &C.
Mai atmosphere OF spring and, by fro
Ouent and sudden changes from one 10
the other extreme, heightcn the con-
trast.
APRIL SMILES.
So. whom the latter part OF March
aud the first Of April had united IN
furnishing beautiful spring weather and
all nature began b smile and cast of the
sombro garments Of winter to assume the
many and brilhant-hued vesture OF
spring, our ancestors OF the year 1916
greeted the approaching spring with the
same high hopes and bright antscipa-
fions with which We welcomed it IN
1855.
March had come in like lion, shaking
his shaggy man and filling the hills and
valleys with bis roar. lie shook the
window paucs furiousiy, banged shutthrs
and nrns. overturned fences, and played
mad prauks with chimney cows Sud
denly, ABOUT the middle of the month,
the lion and Tire lamb Of his dual nature
Jay down together and delightful sea-
son followed April, wreathed in sunny
smiles and sparkling with peSrly sropsin
her roguish eyes, same tripping after.
Under the genial influence of several
weeks Of spunghke weather, so softly
warm and warmly soft, Il velvet robe Of
deepest green began 10 cover tha earth,
buds 'sWoiod to bursting on the trees,
Wild flowers sprung up in hooks exposed
70 the sun and sheltered from the wind,
farmers prepared the soil for spring crops,
gardens were made, and the seeds OF
early vegetables planted. All nature re-
jOiced II the newborn spring.
JACK FROST.
4 change came over the spirit Of
April's dreams Suddenly in night,
Jsct Frost seated on the wings Of cold
ana boisterous norihweSter, swept over
the land, and touching the frst-born OF
spring with ms icy finger, slew them all.
The swelling bud on the tree, the modest
violet uertiIDg under the wings of tae
Wild thorn, the fragrant srbutus trailing
beneath IT'S WARN coverlet Of the last su-
tumps leaves the tender vegetable in
the garden-sll fell before the cold and
cruel touch OF Jack Frost Every green
thing the bright sunshine and genial
warmth had called into life lay dead and
withered. Hoary old Winter usnrped
the throne Of Spring, blew bis icy
breath, m.rrored the ponds and streams
with ice, and ssntlegiOns Of snow-squalls
sweeping over the lane.
After ~ grisvous disappointment one
can we'll imagine how the generation
then living turned their hopes to May
for.tbat spring which April had so fairly
promised and SO quickly broken. April
at best IS a Wild coquette, wilful and ca
PRECIOUS, in whose suRniest smiles lurk
fickleDess but May is a modest maiden,
arsA al Mt aha "a haautIffIl
The month OF flowers and bursting buds
end golden sunshine and poesy and love
WAS turned TO for a balm to heal the
wounds Of cruel April The farmer and
the gardener planted and sowed in hope
and faith.
AN UNNATURAL MAY.
But the Nav of 1916 was not what she
had been She was a frosty jade and a
smteful wench Der frowns were many,
her smHes few. Jack Frost, issuing
AGAIN frsm bis polar lair, swept nightly
over the land at the head of his fantastic
and barbaTic host, who slew every species
OF vegetable life without regard to age,
Sex. rank, or condition. Hortherly
winds swept over the country with a
dismal mean-$he requiem OF the
buried hopes of the people. Instead
OF the brilliant hues OF May there
was the sober sub5aed cast OF October.
No golden Morn With its FURNISHED sun
shine kissing the varied hues of leaf,
grass, blossom, flower. and foliage, as
they glistened and flashed through the
pearly dew drops, broke on the genera
ton who were living witnesses of the
May of 1916. No delicate perfume OF
fragrant flowers welcomed the early
riser. no merry song OF birds rejoiced
him blIt rude wind met him ut the
door and slapped his face, frosty air
grasped bis fingers till they ached, and
raw and gloomy morning sent him
chilled and dismayed TO the freside.
Out Of the thirty-one days in the month
there we're only seven on which there
we're southerly winds or mild days.
CROPS BLIOBTBD.
Corn was planted and replanted, aud
the seed rotted in the ground. Very lit
tie ever came to perfection. Gardens
were made only to be remsde. The buds
and small fruits which had escaped the
visits Of Jack Frost in April, froze upon
the trees. Ice was formed and melan-
choly hre appeared to seal the late OF all |
vegetable life.
And then came June, with its luscious |
strawberries, its bright-red cherries
peeping out from the dark green leaves,
and its golden hsrvests Such is Juno |
as our ancestors knew her, as we know
her DOW.
"Hope spyngseter In the human breast"
and the advent Of June was hailed with
hopes and Anticipitions that we're the
stronger for the rude bGhaungs they had |
received. Garden aud field crops we're
egain planted and sowod. But June
hopes were only apples of Sodom, fair
to the eye but bittor TO the taste. There |
is no record Of june 30 cold. Again
Jack Frost rode over the land with his
wintry horde and left brosd black trail /
oil desoiaton behind-the blight left by l
cold and ice. The King Of the Winter.
with icy breath and snowy robes, for
once reigned in summers stead. Yer
mont vas buried under q mantle
OF snow from SIX 10 ten inches in
depth; the interior Of New York Law /