1924 Snowstorm February 21, 1924

       Looking for inspiration for a snippet, I opened Dewitt’s 1924 diary to February. He noted on Wednesday, February 20^th that it was snowing and he helped his neighbors Earl and Clara [Bassett] Wilson with the final moving of household goods from their home on Bassette Road. They were moving to the Lewis Wilson farm, “…which [Earl] will work this season. Henry and Thomas Bassett are going to work their father’s farm.” Interlaken Review February 22, 1924.

       Turning the page to Thursday, February 21^st, there is a detailed report of the snowstorm. He began, “Thermometer 20 today. The wind blew hard today and it was some day with the loose snow and also snow flurries. I drove down to town with Ray M. this morning. The roads are drifting bad. Trains are all late and papers say it is the worst storm in nine years. All bus lines into Ithaca stopped yesterday. Hens layed [sic] 36 eggs today.”

 

 Undated photo of Dewitt’s home on Bassette Road.

See also February 4, 1972 Winter Weather snippet.

       Looking for more information about the snowstorm, the Friday, February 22, 1924, Interlaken Review had several items relating to the weather. “The Home Bureau meeting was postponed on account of the storm until Thursday, February 28^th.” A few lines further down, “February is keeping up its record as ‘the snow month.’ Fine sleighing here now. A little more snow added each day.”

       A longer item noted, “Our boasted open winter came to a sudden close on Wednesday. Tuesday autos were running everywhere with about 6 inches of snow on level; mercury around ten above zero. At night a snowstorm set in which is yet coming at noon on Thursday. At least a foot of snow and it is being piled up in drifts, which will effectually block all roads. The storm is general. Last night we heard train orders in Pennsylvania sent out by radio, as telegraph wires were down.”

       Dewitt noted that, “I brought up all the mail on the street today. The mail man did not go.”

       Unlike today where there are town and county plowing crews, in the 1920s the town roads were maintained by individuals who lived on that road. Friday, February 22, Dewitt recorded, “Cold northwest wind today. I helped Ray M. open the road, a big drift along my orchard…the cars are all in the garages now.”

 

Dewitt’s Diary Monday February 21, 1949, Temperature 20 clear. Took some feed to town. Rode to Syracuse with Bunny H. and family. Edna and Catherine bought some clothes. A beautiful day, got home at 7:30.