Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1920 — THOSE NORTH DAKOTA WINTERS [ARTICLE]

THOSE NORTH DAKOTA WINTERS

Henry Hayea Says One Just Ended Was Longest He Ever Saw. Henry H. Hayes, formerly of Barkley ’ township, in writing to renew his subscription for The Democrat, sayss Meh. 28, 1920. Dear Friend—Will write a few lines to let you know how we wintered. I can remember about 40 winters, and would say this is the longest I ever saw. We had our first storm on the 9th of October, but it did not settle down to winter till Oct. 18, when lots of snow came and it kept getting colder for the next two months. Got to 27 below at one time, then it warmed up enough to take most of the snow off, and was not very bad long at a time till Feb. 19. A small snow came but didn't get so bad till about Meh. 1 when lots of snow and cold came for about 10 days. It warmed up and brought the water up out of the banks of the streams. Then, another big wet snow, and with the warm weather since the high water is the worst In history. Lots of stock was -’lost, bridges washed out and much other damage was done. The town of Belle Fourche is on the river and one-fourth ot it has been under water for the last two We had a very dry summer last year which left the winter grazing pretty short. Then the early winter .coming on caused a very heavy stock loss. Thousands of horses, cattle and sheep have died, and the end is not yet, as th? grass has not started. Most all the loss wae In the range country, as there was lots of alfalfa In the Irrigation project and most all stock is wintering well. We are all well and trying to keep even with the high cost of living.