The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-09-28
A SUMMERLESS YEAR
Strange Phenomena Character
lied That 100 Years Ago.
From the Youths Companion

Inc summer OF 1916 marks an inter-
estiug weather centenary: that of The
year without summer, as the farm
ers generally called it, or sometimes,
because of the ruined crops, poverty
year while others designated it with
grim Yankee humor as ''elghteen-hun-
bred and froze-t o-death"
Near the sea it was sometimes called
"mackerel year" because. on account
of the scarcity and high price of corn
so little pork was fattened that the
people used mackerel as a substitute.
Snow fell that year in every month of
the Il. At Salem, on June ) the mer-
curry stood at 80 degrees F.; the next
day 1t fell to 43 degrees F.; on the sew
enth, In many places, ice formed on the
ponds to the thickness of an eighth of
an inch, and there were snow furrics
and high cold winds. In some localities
the snow melted as it fell, but in others
it was blown about as in winter. In
Maine, snow and hail together fell for
an hour and half, and the snow fakes
were Of extraordinary size, often as
much as two and half inches in di-
ameter. The ground was frozen hard,
corn and potatoes were GU down by the
frost, and the farmers worked in their
fields arrayed in great coats, mittens
and earlaps. Thousands OF birds were
frozen to death and-less tragic mil
lions of the yellow cucumber bug; so
many that the pest was practically de-
stroyed and did hot re-appear to a
troublesome extent for 10 years.
On June there was more snow, "but
not quite deep enough for sleighing" in
Salem; but farther north the storm be-
came really severe. At Peacham, Yer
mont, an old gentleman, lost in the
woods. where ne remained all night,
was so badly frostbitten that one of
his toes had TO be amputated.
MANY more birds were frozen, many
few into houses seeking shelter. and
many were so benumbered that they
allowed themselves to be taken in the
hand without a struggle. Compassionate
girls here and there rescued and cherish
ed for temporary pets martins, Yellow
birds. readstarts, robbins and humming
birds.
Even in July there were frosts, and
in the more northern regions there was
light snow. In August the cold increas-
ed. In Berkshire county, Massachusetts,
a killing frost caught the cornfelds on
the 18th; but the farmers saved a good
deal by digging 1t up at the roots and
placing the plants in shelter in an up
right position, when the ears ripened
upon the Juices of the stalks.
The first general movement from
New England to the middle west oc-
Cured the next season. and received
perhaps its greatest impetus from the
discouragements OF poverty year. :"
Many Of those who migrated believed
the climate of New England permanent
ly and disastrously affected. Not
few who remained We're even more pes
simistic, believing such a concentration
of unreasonable misfortunes could por-
tend nothing less than universal destruc-
ton and the day of doom.
1t was in this belief that a certain
Widow Cotton, of somewhat domineer-
ing unreasonable temper, who had
long withheld her concent to the mar
riage Of her daughters to two enterpris-
ing farmer brothers, the men of their
choice, suddenly withdrew her obiec-
tons, and babe them marry and go
west if they pleased.
This is a solemn time, and no oc-
casion for chickering's and family dis
sension, she declared, IF you will
marry, marry, and if you will migrate,
mlgrote, it is all one to me now. How
can it matter when so soon, where
ever you may be, the trump will
sound that will summon you to the
skies? Have your way, But for my
self, fell more prepared and decent
where | am, within stones throw of
the family lot. There is something
suitable and sustaining in the idea of
relatives keeping together at such a
time. There are % Coltons in the
graveyard, and wish to 60 to Judge
ment as the oath. -
Four years later, the world still ex-
listing, she went west instead, to super
intend the measles, mumps and manners
of growing brood of sturdy grand
sons in Ohio.
Watch and Clock Repairing.