March 11: The Blizzard of 1888 hits Cheshire

What a difference a century makes! While it will be about 60 degrees in Cheshire this week, 124 years ago, town folk were hunkered down under a three-day blizzard that left snow drifts as tall as 12 feet.

Here is a first-hand account of the "Blizzard of 1888" from Samuel Brooks whose property is still owned by the family on South Brooksvale Road.

C. Samuel Brooks' diary, 1888:

Sunday, March 11,

Cloudy & unpleasant but Mather & I walked to church & Marmie rode with Ella.  The South East wind & dark clouds threatening rain, but snow flakes instead began falling before night & continued in the evening.  Sister Lizzie planning to go home tomorrow & Rose with her to N. Haven, but I told them wait till morning & let the storm decide for you.

Monday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 12

Blizzard !!

The most severe storm I ever experienced – wind changed to Northerly & a gale blowing in full of snow & hard to get to the barn – The drifting snow stopped the water – melting snow for the house, the cattle had no water.  The doors blocked with drifts, windows covered with ice.  Could only see a few rods for the blinding snow – sent Martin over to Ann’s to look after them had hard work to get there & back – The sentrance used to sleep in. 

Boistrous all night.  The nearly two feet of snow piled in huge drifts & filling the air.  Snowing much of the day (Tuesday now) Tried to start the water digging under an immense drift – found no stream in the brook, the water clogged & forced out of its course.  Watered the stock from the well clinging over the drifts with water went to Ann’s & built fire in the cottage, almost impossible to get through & over the drifts.  The howling wind subsiding at night.

Wednesday, March 14

The storm mostly over, not cold.  Found water in the brook at rode (stet) side & took the cattle out to it through the meadow.  The house hold needs relieved thereby.  Shoveling snow about buildings occupied the day – a train passed down toward evening  all day coming from West Cheshire  Mather ran away to find the train stalled at Mrs. Eagans (?) crossing.  Wrote to Linda at Mrs. Cady’s at eve of the “blizzard “ storm.

Thursday, March 15

Pleasant & mild – bare ground showing where snow was blown off except the moist snow – that first fell, the drifts too towering – walked to village in P.M. via W. Cheshire on the track.  Saw the wrecked freight cars which caused the Monday A.M. passenger train to stop & where snowed in – a path to village.  No meat in the market – no mail no word by telegraph or telephone.

Friday, March 16

Pleasant & mild.  Went to Mary Brook’s (stet) – no word by telephone – min opening path through fields digging in great drift at Eagan’s rossing.  Going to reach town through fields from top of hill to Frank Hotchkisses – Rose went over the drifts to her cottage with Mather & Marmie.  Windows broken in square house, basement filled etc.  Emma D. came down & called – I went there for flour.  Too discouraging to dig thro’ drifts  better let sun & rain do their work first. Trains passed from north. Clarence (?) let off with paper our first news.

Saturday, March 17

Pleasant & mild.  Much barn ground, road opened to NH last eve.  Passenger trains running today.  Six Palladianes (New Haven newspaper) came. Lizzie anxious to get off.  Went to 11 train & saw it pass.  Went to W.C. & village.  Telegram from Mr. Chatfield “all well” etc.  Telephoned to Ed. A. (Atwater) learned 4.26 train would stop – with mail & meat  hurried home via field path. 

Found Lizzie at crossing had rec’d word from Mary Brooks & excitedly hurried down, saw her off & was chilled through after my walk & run.  Rose at station too – the household in commotion from the sudden departing & uncertainty of her getting home.  Quite cold at night.

- -

Editor's note: Many thanks to Jean McKee for sharing this historical tale of the blizzard by her Great Great Uncle Samuel. Below are her notes on the people written about in the diary entries:

NOTES:

Mather is Samuel’s son, I believe.  His wife’s maiden name was Mather. Marmie is nickname for Elizabeth Laura Brooks Chatfield, also called Lizzie. Ella would be Ella Brooks, daughter to Alonzo Brooks, son of David Brooks, Jr.