Year: 1862




for comment. 1t has been the all-eng
ing topic of conversation during its pro-
racted continuance, by all the good people
of town and country 1t has been confess
edly the severest season ever experienced
here-at least so runneth the memory of
the " oldest inhabitants" and they are pro-
verbal in all latitudes for sticking to the
truth Its extreme severity has been
source of mingled emotions of CONSERVATION
and most positive dislike. 1t found the
most of us entirely unprepared for New
England winter siege-the previous history
of the country furnishing no intimation that
our lamps should be kept trimmed and filled
for an emergency like the present. To the
town folks, the almost entire suspension of
business, the absence of communication for
weeks with important points below and
above, and the extremely high price of fire.
-provokingly occurring just at the
time when everybody wers obliged to keep
up huge fires or accept the alternative of
freezing to death-have been fruitful themes
of converse and speculation. TO the cOun-
try folks, the great loss of stock has been
a serious misfortune, and given them JUS
cause to lament the severity of the season.
1t has marked new era with us-weather-
ometrically speaking-and hidden all pre-
pare for like visitations from the storm-king
in future


We deem 1t important that the history Of
the present winter season should be put on
the record, both by way of reminding those
resident within this valley what kind Of
weather we have had, that they may prepare
for its recurrence; and also to give truth
fu impression to those who are contempla-
ting removing hither for the purpose Of
permanent settlement, that they may know
what kind of climate they will be liable
to find, and shape their actions accordingly.


For four weeks past, the weather has
been constantly cold, continuing almost
uniformly so even through the middle of
the day-the thermometer ranging from
freezing point down to as low as twenty
nine degrees below zero This was on
Thursday of last week, at five clock in the
morning. At twelve clock Of the same
day, the thermometer stood at twenty de-
grees below, and at six in the evening it
was at twenty-four This was the coldest
day we had BY several degrees; the average
cold was probably about ten degrees below
zero.


This may be regarded as very cold wealth
er for this coast, and as cold perhaps as in
many places where they are accustomed to
severe weather on the eastern side. It
should be remarked in this connection that
this is an unusual winter Those who have
resided here during the past four or five
years, uniformly tell US that the present
winter is far more severe than any which
has preceded it, both as regards the cold
weather and the depth and long continuance
VI bHG bIlOW 1LdoG W1ulCL JLlClC WdS Uub
three or four inches Of snow at any time on
the ground and it remained but very short
time. During that season all kinds of stock
lived upon the open plain, and in the spring
were in good condition. We are satisfied
that this has been an unusually severe win
ter, else we should be inclined to immigrate
to a more temperate climate.


During the past three weeks, the snow
has been from foot to foot and half in
depth in the valley and from two to three
feet on the hills and bench-land. In some
places it las been drifted to the depth of
four and five feet obstructing travel for a
few days until trail could be beaten out.
1t is evident that more snow has fallen be-
low than above this place, from the fact that
most of the time persons have passed be-
tween here and Lewiston, while for several
weeks we had no communication with the
Dalles. This is confirmed also by the fact
that the stages have not succeeded in MAX
ing the connection at the lower end of the
lire even when regular trips were contin-
ued on this end of the route The snow
was deeper at the old Fort than here, and
the thermometer indicated colder weather
by two or three degrees.


FROM THE MINEs.-Mr C. H. Miller,