The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-02-16
LOW TEMPERATURE FOLLOWS
| BLIZZARD AND SNOW.
NO LOSSES ARE REPORTED
Believed That Range Stock Success
fully Withstood storm-Precip-
itation Occurs Opportunity.

x A real taste Of genuine winter has
been had in this usually favored re-
gion during the last few days. Snow
has fallen and the thermometer has
registered lower than at any time
since the calendar says winter be-
gan.
The change commenced last Fri
day night, when increasing cold gave
way to a blizzard, which blew in from
the northeast toward Saturday morn
ing. This, in turn, gave way to a
steady fall OF snow that continued
the greater part of the day. The storm
ceased and then the thermometer set
tied down to business, reaching the
unusually low, figure of % below zero,
as indicated by the government in
strument Other thermometers about
town registered a much lower tenn
perature, some as low as IS and more.
Although there was "a very marked
moderation Sunday, it still continued
cold, the mercury at no time register
ing above zero during the day. Yes
terday morning it was 7 below, but
moderated during the forenoon and
as the day progressed rapidly rising
temperature followed and outdoor ex
istence became pleasant once more,
with every indication that the cold &
wave had spent itself and that the
storm was over
Snow Was Needed.
The snow that fell Friday night and
Saturday covered the ground to a 4
depth Of almost half d foot. Its ar
rival was in the nick OF time, as the
lack OF moisture on the range was be-
coming a serious matter to some flock
masters and cattlemen. AS far as
heard from the blizzard was not ac-
companied BY any losses, as stock OF n
an kinds were in strong condition
and able to Withstand The storm. Of s
course, there was considerable drift
ing and some herds have probably
become widely scattered. biit this is
to be expected and the good done
by the storm will more than offset
any. damage that may have resulted
Worse Further East.
kccording to all accounts the storm
was much worse further east. par
tioularly# across the Dakota line, There
1t was Of much longer duration and
greater intensity 1t began several
days before it reached this far west,
while the amount Of snow that fell 4
was also greater. Nothing dafinfts Y
has been learned bat those who have
arrived from that direction are Of the n
opinion that great losses will be re-
ported from the Dakota ranges. All
ready it is stated that one OF the lar
ger concerns, the Stevens Cattle COM
pany, viii lose no fewer than 1000 I
head, with other outfits in proportion.
While losses will probably be sus-
tanned by some CT the rangemen in
Dawson and Custer counties, this
state, as they were in the path OF the
storm, they will undoubtedly be great
ly less than those across the line.
Their animals were in much better
shape to withstand the storm than
those of their Dakota neighbors, as
the feed in this state has been better
and stock in consequence stronger and
fatter.
The severity of the storm farther
east was attested by the demorah-
zation Of railroad traffic from that
direction. During the greater part OF
last week trains arrived hours be
hind time and schedules were mat
ters only to be talked about. Yes
days reports were that the storm
had ceased and it was expected tnat
trains would be running approximate
ly on time once more in the course
Of day or two. unless another storm
should occur, something hardly looked \
s wv 4