Cobweb Express

Blizzards can be deadly
by Mel McFarland

This is one of those stories that needs to be told now and then. As Winter creeps up on us certain warnings go out because of this sort of event. The cold weather is not to be underestimated. Some of you are still waiting for the first slick road, or the first blizzard. Have no fear, by spring you will have that experience. I hope we all make it to the summer heat of next year!

Back in 1909 seven boys were caught in a blizzard on the prairie east of Fountain. Their ages ranged from seven to seventeen. They had been out in a pasture playing when the cloud roared in from the north, within a few minutes they could no longer see the edges of the field, and lost all idea of direction. In their panic, the two youngest boys got separated from the older ones. The two were lucky enough to locate a fence at the edge of the field and followed it to where they located the road into town. Nothing to take shelter in, they continued toward town, and the boys finally saw a house. At the house they were warmed, and word was spread of the situation. They organized an old fashioned posse of twenty men who rushed out to where the boys had been. The others were found and taken home. Some were suffering from frostbite and all suffered from the exposure. It was feared that some might lose fingers and toes, but in the end, the rescue came just in time.

The boys eventually recovered, but I am sure they carried reminders of the event with them the rest of their days. The fact that they survived is a wonder, but what I find interesting about this event is where it happened. Not just here in Fountain, but the scene today would not be seen as potentially dangerous. You might think of this as being many miles east of town, but no, it was not that far east of Metcalf Park!

Fountain a hundred years ago barely reached the Rio Grande railroad tracks, and there was another railroad on the far east side of the park. The field was near where Link Road is today. You might not think of that as way out in the country, but these boys barely made it back into town from a quick but intense storm. Within a few hours it had blown its way through the area.

When those of you new to the area hear about emergency equipment you should have in your car, take it seriously. It has been a while since a blizzard buried a stuck car, but it really does happen.

CONTACT THE WRITER • MCMIDLAND@YAHOO.COM

MEL'S ARCHIVES
4-11-07 | 4-18-07 | 4-25-07 | 5-2-07 | 5-9-07 | 5-16-07 | 5-23-07 |
5-30-07 | 6-6-07 | 6-13-07 | 6-20-07 | 6-27-07 | 7-4-07 | 7-11-07 | 7-18-07
7-25-07 | 8-1-07 | 8-8-07 | 10-24-07 | 11-1-07 | 11-5-07