The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-26
CLIMATE and NATURAL PHENOMENA
From IIaymond's History Of Harrison County.

according to DR.. Doddridge, great
changes have taken place in the eli
matte conditions since the settlement
OF the western country. yet the changes
have been SO gradual that II Is not
easy to recollect or describe them.
When the country was first occupied
the summers were much cooler than
they are at present, for many years
there was scarcely ever a warm night
during the entire summer. The even
ings were cool and the mornings were
frequently uncomfortably cold.
The coldness OF the nights was ow-
Ing to the deep shade OF the lofty for
est trees, which everywhere covered
the ground. In addition to this tho
surface OF the earth was still further
shaded by large crops OF wild grass
and weeds, which prevented 1t from
being heated by the rays OF the sun
during the day. At sun down the air
began to become damp and cool, and
continued to increase in GOODNESS I'M
til warmed by the sunshine OF the sue
ceeding day. This wild heritage af-
orded pasture for our cattle and horses
from spring until the onset of winter.
The summers in early times were
mostly dry. the large streams dwin-
died into small rivulets, and the mills
were not expected TO do any grinding
after June /, excepting at intervals af-
ter heavy rains.
1t was a frequent saying that three
good rains were sufficient to make a
corn crop, IL they fell at the proper
time. The want OF rain was compen-
stated in some degree by heavy dews.
which were then moro common than
OF late, owing to the shaded condition
OF the earth, which prevented 1t from
being either warm or dry by the rays
OF the sun during even the warmest
weather.
Early Frosts.
Frosts have severely bitten the corn
as early as September %. Hunting
SHOWS usually commenced about the
middle OF October and November was
regarded as winter month, as the
winter frequently set in with severity
during that month and sometimes at
an early period OF 1t.
FOR long time after the settlement
OF the county much more snow fell
IN comparison to the snowfall OF re-
cent times. 1t was no unusual thing
10 nave SHOWS from one to three feet
IN depth and OF long continuance.
Deep SHOWS were the occasion of
much labor and discomfort to the in
habitants. Paths had to be made to
the barn, spring.. smoke house and
corn crib. The labor of getting wood
during deep snow was exceedingly
disagreeable. as when tree fell it
buried itself in the snow, SO that the
driver had to plunge his arms deep
into the snow to get the log chain
around the trunk to haul II to the
house.
DR.. Doddridge says mat the spring
season of the year has not changed
much, but that the summers are
warmer, the fall milder and longer,
ana our winters shorter by at least one
month. and accompanied with much
less sncw and cold than formerly.
Coolest Winter.
The coolest winter OF which there Ia
any account is described by the an
cient chronicles as follows:
The winter OF 177s-S0 began early
and continued until March. 1t was
perhaps the severest winter In the
history OF the United States. In Jan
uary the harbor of New York was
frozen over so solidly that the British
drove laden wagons on the ice from
the city to Staten Island.
In western Pennsylvania the snow
began to fall heavily about the holidays
and was followed by exceedingly cold
weather for two months.
The snow accumulated at intervals
and by February ] was four feet deem
in the woods and on the mountains
This stopped all the supply trains
from the East and the garrison n,
Fort Pitt suffered severely for food
and clothing. Many of the soldiers
were without shoes, and scouting ex-
petitions were out Of the question. The
officers were without money or credit
and were reduced to extreme straits
Great was the destruction OF ami
mails and birds in the forest. The
snow was so deep that they could
not get food, and when the spring
came the hunters found only the dead
bodies of deer, turkey and smaller
game.
Thomas Raymond, who was at that
time child living near Morgantown
remembers throwing corn to the wild
turkeys, who came close to his faith.
er's house in search of food, having
been made tame by hunger.
About the year 1900 meteor passed
across Harrison county, and by 1t:
brilliant light and tremendous explo.
sions created terror and CONSERVATION
among the inhabitants.
Major William Raymond, who was
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. U. C. Young.