The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-11
47th Anniversary
 Of Great Blizzard
in Memorable StOrm-Many Waterburians Have Memories Also of 1888

had she started home? l must get home. couldn't rest until had found out how they all were and had relieved my mother of her anxiety for me.
 My first thought was to follow the steam road to West Haven, so started out that way but there were the cars all drifted in most cases to the middle of the windows and knowing the fierceness of the gale, was afraid of being blow: from the trestle if ever might be fortunate enough to get that far, High Drifts
 I soon abandoned that idea and started for home by the way oI Kimberly avenue. 1 took the two bags off before leaving the depot for they were so cumbersome that they retarded my progress. atn not going to detail that trip home through that terrible storm for t was yet showing hard and blowing a perfect gale. will only say that in many cases the snow now was waist deep in the best places you | could find except some places blown clean but the next minute you must wade a drift perhaps ten feet high. How could you do that :? Just get down and crawl over ;t | which had to do in many cases, never saw but one person outside l in that storm after left the depot in New Haven. He was climbing a fence on Kimberly avenue evident ly headed for home.
 As approached the dyke lead ing from New Haven to West Haven across the mark, I saw that the wind had cleared nearly all the snow off that exposed strip of road but as I approached this un- protected half mile of road, new danger confronted me. I don't think that I could see fifty feet in any direction for the fierceness of the storm and many times I had to stop and just brace up against the wind to keep from being blown down or possibly overheard into the Sound.
 At the West Haven end stood the Old Gate House on the north side and directly across the street was a very large weeping willow tree. The snow had filled this space full nearly to the top of the house
 When I encountered this huge drift directly between me ard home gave up all hopes of reaching there that night. It must have been about 5:30 o'clock at this time.
 Abandons Idea Y I had read a story of a man who became lost in a blizzard that burrowed into snow drift and kept from freezing to death. so l started to dig myself into thls drift with, full intentions to stay there all night but no sooner had l gotten inside and filled in the hole which shut me in from the fierceness of that cutting sleet ana wind that l began to think of mother again and out went. Now on the east side of the street stood a high board fence supported on iron piping. This fence was about a foot from the ground at the bottom. Here the wind had scooped out a path between the fence and that drift wide enough so I was able to get through.
 As came out on the other side there sat MT and Mrs Beacher in the front room looking out at a very pretty picture (to them) fol the snow was just flowing down the side of that drift like a huge waterfall. On seeing me they both came to the door and pleaded with me to come in, but had no inten- ton of going one step out Of my course for home.
 l had lost valuable time at that snow drift. Also 1t was now ap. parent that it would soon be dark. 'No," said "I must hurry home." And without even stopping I hurried on as fast as my failing strength would allow me. At thls point had about two miles to go yet and think at this time my feet and hands were frozen for I found it difficult to walk and therefore crawled over most of the drifts for the remainder of the way home.
 Offered Shelter
 went down Elm street and right in front of Senator Gruham's house stood a very large elm tree with two large roots spreading out on two sides forming 8 pocket pro- tected from the wind. There was very little snow here and by this time l was so weary and cold that I couldn't resist the temptation to just slip in there and just for q few minutes rest, but did I get it? NO for the minute sat down who should spy me but MT Graham and his daughter. Both ran out onto the porch and tried to have me come in. You must come in just to get warm and have a cup of coffee."
 If any of those people that wanted to be kind to me should read this, wish right h ere tu apologize for my actions, for at that time I quite well remember how I felt. I never made them a reply, but got up once more anG that wished they hadn't seen me, but if they hadn't I realize today this account of the blizzard would down Elm street to Washington e@NShuO " NdAA StICStt lTOIII NudlU street to Campbell avenue.
 Back in those days from Kelsey's Buckle & Cartridge shop to Ninth street there was but houses on the cast side, Soahn's saloon and Will liam Places home. From thls house to Ninth street ran a post and board fence; it now was so dark that had to follow this fence to 9 large chestnut tree that stood at the corner of Ninth street.
 Collapsed at Home
 At last I got in sight of home, yes, within ten feet of the front porch where I had waded into a small drift about three feet high and what had come over me all of a sudden! stood there with no more thought of home, of mother, of the storm or of myself, we'll just freezing to death. How long ! stood there I do not know, but at last a strong gust of wind blew me down, or was 1t the wind? At any rate fell iufn a srraau naIor <roa