The Meeker herald., 1914-10-31
AStory of the Great
Blizzard of
1883
By CHARLES CRAIG


which occurred In March. 1888. How
the snow whirled! How deep 1t be-
came. How many persons were
caught, bewildered. and sank down
within reach Of safety, yet never arose
alive!
During the day l. rebelling against
remaining longer imprisoned, started
out to walk to the village, mile dis
tant How got as far as did don't
know, though 1 didn't get very far.
Between my home and the town was
an old brick house that had been built
$50 years. 1t had been occupied till
six months before. when the tenants
left 1t, shutting 1t up with all the high
post bedsteads and other old fash
Toned furniture. Seeing this house
and realizing that was battling
storm thnt was too much sfor me, l
made for 1t, climbed the fence-the
snow would not admit of opening the
gate-and after struggling over hun
dred feet up to the porch sank down
at the front door in stupor.
Things were vague after that
seemed to have forgotten that the
house was unoccupied. and. making an
effort. l pulled myself up to reach the
brass knocker and raped. The door
was opened by a gentleman. and.
strange to say. he wore the uniform of
the Continental army. ! saw many
persons moving about in the rooms
and heard the strains Of music.
bad night, SIR" said the gentleman.
"Come in and warm yourself"
II certainly WILL" l replied. II feel
very queer. am certainly benumbed."
Fortunately some hot punch is just
quire."
He put his arm through mine and
supported me to a room with a side
board in 1t on which was an enor-
nous bowl, from which a negro WINS
ladlIng out a steaming beverage. My
conductor took one Of the mugs and
handed 1t to me. l put 1t to my lips.
but somehow couldn't taste anything.
1t was like drinking air.
II shnll be happy to present you to
my friends" said the man who had ad-
mItted me. 1--WE are having dance
here tonight in honor Of the officers
commanding the troops just arrived
and who are to be quartered in the
neighborhood."
All this seemed natural enough. It
didn't strike me that there was any
thing remarkable about 1t. was
taken up and introduced to ladies with
enormous wigs and queer cut dresses.
! tried to say something. but somehow
! couldn't talk. There were a lot Of
men in Continental uniform and few
In citizens dress. the latter with q
yard or more Of white stun wrapped
around their threats. and rufi1es stand
ing out from their bosoms.
IA bad night for our boys at Valley
Forge" remarked tall man, who as
looked at him seemed to resolve him
self into General Washington.
II should say So" replied. "I'm
cold myself here In these warm rooms.
What must be the condition of those
fellows living in huts or tents without
sufficient blankets?"
Our conversation was interrupted by
the entrance of young man, who ap-
preached Washington and whom the
general received with marked favor.
"Who is thnt?" asked Of a guest
1.-The Marquis de Lafayette"
The next thing remember was see-
ing the general dancing the mInuet.
and wondered how he could be dane
ing when his troops were freezing. to
say nothing of starving
While he was engaged In the dance
l heard a colOred servant standing at
the door announce In loud voice:
General Arnoldr'
looked at the man who entered and
recognized-from portraits l had seen
Benedict Arnold. He went straight
up to Washington and tapped him on
the shoulder. Washington turned. and
the look of contempt and loathIng on
his face was terrible to see. While
was looking Mt 1t the view dissolved
before me. and there was blank.
Then l was in room in which Wash
ington was talking and gesticulating
with an officer against whom he seem
ed to have very bitter feeling. asked
who this man was and was Informed
that he was General Charles Lee. who
deliberately dlsobeyed Washington's
orders Mt the battle Of Trenton There
were high words between the two till
Washington slapped Lees face.
The sound of the slap dissolved into
voice that sounded in my ear.
Hello! Wake upr'
was violently shaken and slowly
came to realizing sense that was
on the porch of the deserted house
thoroughly benumbed Two men were
trying to arouse me. They shook me.
hammered me. lifted me to my feet
and held me there in spite of my desire
to sink down again.
had been at the door but few
minutes. Two men who had walked
behind me saw me turn into the de-