The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-01-27

II 0C1 kCO w 4AlchO
the wheat grow
that the farmer puts in the ground
in the Fall and that remains in the
field throughout the winter. Snow
protects the growing wheat from
hard, freezing weather, in addition
to fertilizing it. Wheat in the field,
when exposed too long to very low
temperature, without protection, is
liable to freeze out.
And does not snow replenish our
water supply? Even today, as in the
old horse and buggy days, people
living in certain localities may find
things very inconvenient. The water
supply may get low if there happens
to be a dearth of rain or snow.
Those of us who live where we have
the benefit of a modern water sys-
tenn probably cannot know just
what it all means to have scarcity
or water, or no water. This has
been the situation in certain sections
of Washington county recently. Peo-
pie living in such localities have had
to haul water for stock and general
household consumption.
After saying such complimentary
things about the beautiful snow"
(Which may make our old backs
ache in shoveling it,, we want to
recite an interesting story or two of
bygone days-back when it really
showed Our informant is Lewis L.
Bowers, deputy clerk to the Board
of County Commissioners. We were
talking one day in his Office (where
everybody receives a courteous well
come) of the lack of snow SO far this
season, when Lewis began to tell us
of some personal experiences in
connection with big SHOWS. But we
made one mistake-We asked just
one question too many. He stopped
and exclaimed: See here, what are
you up to, are you going to put all
this stuff in the paper" why not"
we asked. There is surely nothing
for any one to be ashamed about,
rather everyone connected there
with is to be most highly commend
ed. We managed to quiet him down
and induced him to proceed with
his story.
Probably you may know that Mr.
Bowers was one of those we may
consider as a pioneer school teacher
of the county If you didn't know,
we're telling you now And we
know what his reputation was as a
teacher, too. And we will also tell
you that he taught school the whole
school season through, for the mag
nificent 90 salary of $3.50, and out of
it had to pay for janitor service. To
reach his school he often rode the
old gray mare.
Now for the story: Mr.. Bowers
recalls that in the year 1917, when
he taught near Halfway, it began to
snow on Dec. and kept it up almost
continuously throughout the winter,
with comparatively short intervals
between.
Two other big SHOWS specially re-
membered by Mr.. Bowers were in
February, 1895 and February, 1899
respectively. He was teaching not
more than two miles from Hagers-
town, but two miles were really two
miles with snow drifts mountain
high, with transportation depend
ing upon Old Nell or SHANK:
mare"
One morning, during the 1895
storm, he started on horseback fol
the school house He was Away:
loyal and went to no limit to ge
there H AS. he crossed the old An
tietam bridge and began ascending
the mill on the east side, his ey,
caught an unusual sight. Hating
his struggling steed he investigated
What was it? Why, it was a boy
sticking in a snow drift up to hi
armpits. He was on his way t
school and Mr.. Bowers placed hin
on his horse and carried him there.
This is a specially interesting par
of the story: This boy and two 0
his brothers were the only pupil
who braved the weather condition
and were at school the day the on
boy stuck in the snow and was res
cued by the teacher, Mr.. Bowers
These three brothers all becam
successful professional men. The,