If you grew up in Northern Michigan during the winter, as I did, you are more than familiar with the blustery conditions that we endure during the months of November thru March.
I recently found a small notice in the Detroit Free Press about my 2nd great grandfather William Hawley and his experience during a February 1908 blizzard while living in Hillman, Michigan. I found the same announcement in The Yale expositor.
The Detroit Free Press - Saturday, February 15, 1908
The Detroit Free Press - Saturday, February 15, 1908
It would seem that Hillman was not the only part of Michigan that was struck by a fierce blizzard. There were several blizzards mentioned in newspapers during February of 1908. The article below is from the February 21, 1908 edition of The Owosso times.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) - February 21, 1908
I'm not quite sure what my 2nd great grandfather William Hawley was doing out in a blizzard that evening, but he did make it home, even without the help of others.
What I found interesting, was that it must have been a fairly significant event to be included in two different newspapers, hundreds of miles from where it occurred. I wonder who it was that refused him shelter. How did they feel about this newspaper write up?
Although this news article will not help me bust through any genealogical brick walls, it was a very interesting find. Newspapers articles like this, help to provide a better understanding of the people behind the pedigree chart.
