Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 17, 1922

Chapter 17

Coldest Season - Dryest Season - Warmest Season - Meteoric Phenomena - Weather Observers Cyclones of 1881-1898-1922 - Floods - Fires, 1880 to 1922.

The Elfreth family, Quakers of Pennsylvania, preserved a diary indicating the coldest weather since 1790 to be in 1812. The summer of 1816 is the coldest on record. Killing frosts were prevalent each month. June 16, 1816, a shepherd searched for his sheep in a blinding Vermont snow storm. The most appalling blizzard on record in the United States was in February, 1817.

The coldest winter in Langlade County was that of 1917-1918. Winter set in early in November and zero weather prevailed until April. The winter of 1899 was a hard one. Pioneers still living can recall days of biting cold then. Years before, in 1876, the early settlers on the Wolf River recall the long winter siege when mail carriers found it difficult to make their "stretches" between the stopping places.

The coldest day on record in Antigo was February 10, 1899, when the thermometer registered 40 degrees below zero. Woodsmen, trappers, and Indians declared it was dangerous to attempt outside work that day. The fall of temperature that day is without precedent in Langlade County.

were frozen, especially in the lowlands. The summer of 1863 was very cold, but as Langlade County had but few settlers then, every one of whom were sturdy prospectors, adventurers and land hunters, little is known of it. The settlers were : Hi Polar, Dan Gagen, Henry Strauss, Louis Motzfeldt, "Old Dutch Frank," George Gardner, and W. L. Ackley.

The winter of 1920-21 was the warmest winter in the county. There was little snow and automobiles ran the year round. Very little ice was cut and a shortage resulted in the summer of 1921.

Robins, meadow larks, horned larks and swallows made their appearance unusually early. Farmers began breaking ground in March. The snow was light the entire year, about one foot deep.

The longest drouth probably occurred in 1862. However, official records show the year 1894 as the dryest for Langlade County. The spring of 1894 was "early" and the summer was very hot. There was a severe drouth in 1856, but as the county had but one white settler within its boundary then we learn nothing of it.

Antigo is situated in what is known as Twin Valley, with Springbrook running in a southeasterly direction and the Eau Claire River four miles west. Springbrook, while small, has caused considerable damage as a result of overflowing its banks. This is particularly true at the dam to the rear of the Neff-Roberts flat on Fifth avenue, where in the summer of 1921 many families were forced from their homes by the rapid rise of the little brook.

For many spring seasons, not including 1922, but more notably the spring of 1913, many portions of Antigo were inundated when storm sewers were unable to carry off flood waters. Minola street, a part of the Third ward. Fourth ward, and the north part of the city were affected. It was not uncommon to visit a neighbor by boat in the regions flooded. Residences were isolated. Often the fire department was enlisted into service to aid the beleaguered residents. Rainfall was no greater during these years than normal. Floods are sure to occur even where storm sewers, tiling, and ditching has been installed to facilitate in the discharge of water.

W. P. Stewart, meteorologist, in charge of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture weather bureau at Milwaukee, in response to a series of questions regarding the climatological history of Antigo, says:

1 - The Weather Bureau does not maintain an office at Antigo, but we have had an observer there since May, 1894, who has kept a record for us of the temperature, rainfall, and weather conditions. Our first cooperative observer at Antigo was Mr. John McGreer. Mr. E. C. Larzelere, our present observer, has kept records there since May, 1905.

W. P. Stewart

In 1883, L. W. Bliss was an unofficial weather observer in Antigo. The winter of 1922, when in February one of the worst snow storms and blizzards tied up traffic for many days, will long be remembered.

The Cyclone Of 1881

In September, 1881, a cyclone struck the southeastern part of the county and severe damage resulted. Trees were uprooted in the village of Antigo. The G. W. Latta residence was damaged. No lives were lost.

The Destructive Cyclone Of 1898

At 7 o'clock Wednesday evening, May 18, 1898, a cyclone struck the northwestern part of Antigo, causing the loss of three lives and approximately $35,000 worth of damage to property. Those killed were Frank Billings, who had a box car thrown against him; Goldie Sheldon, 7-year-old daughter of Homer Shelhouse and contents damaged, I. E. Buckman, A. Goldberg, G. Parker, Will Botrell, Dr. H. V. Mills, Mrs. Harris, P. J. Millard, C. O. Marsh, W. Kenyon, Allan Taylor, Al Billings, L. K. Strong, H. C. Mumphrey, J. H. Trever, Ralph Briggs, Joseph Bainiaj, Bruno Krowlinski, Alex McMillan, Ed Grabowsky, Wm. Heckman, Edward Boettcher, Frank Valnets, Mike and Frank Lynski, Joseph Hoffman, August Reige, Joseph Holle, Mrs. Hayes, A. Kolte, J. A. Weaver, T. Bradnock, August Frieburger, and H. Ward all suffered either residence, barn, or household damages, some both household and residence damages. The Chicago & Northwestern Railway suffered considerably also.

Many farmhouses, barns, and sheds were destroyed in the eastern part of the county. Trees were uprooted and broken off and forests were laid low. The path of the cyclone was small, but very destructive.

The Path Of The Cyclone Of May 18, 1898

THE PATH OF THE CYCLONE OF MAY 18, 1898. The street shown is Martin Avenue looking from the C. & N. W. railroad track. The ruins in the foreground at the left shows what the cyclone did to the Whitney residence. The Conway residence, corner of Martin Avenue and Clermont Street is shown at the left also. It was badly damaged. Just north of it the residence of Dr. Fetters was located. It was also badl}' damaged. The residence of H. B. Kellogg can be seen in the center of the picture. The windows were broken and this residence suffered slight damages otherwise. John E. Martin, then District Attorney, lived on Martin Avenue. The ruins of his residence are in the rear to the right of the picture. If one looks close, the small space from out of which the Alartin family crawled can be seen. Timbers prevented the roof from crushing them. There were other sections of Antigo where the cyclone did equally serious damage.

don, and Ignatz Barr, struck while standing in front of the F. Ringsmith residence. Seriously injured were: Mrs. Alex McMillan and daughter, Mamie, Mrs. J. Kolte, Mrs. Martin Lynski, Dr. Frank I. Drake, Mrs. Francis Kaplanek, and Mrs. H. H. Ward.

Mayor Dailey immediately issued a proclamation calling upon the Antigo citizens to aid the suffering and homeless. A Citizens' Relief Committee was appointed. The Jones Lumber Company of Elcho donated $50 for relief. Food, clothing and financial aid was distributed fast. The city council appropriated $1,000 for relief purposes and offers for assistance came pouring in from every section to the sorrowing and stricken community. Never before or since has Langlade County witnessed such a holocaust.

The Tornado Of June 16, 1922

At 2.20 p. m. Friday afternoon, June 16, 1922, a destructive tornado entered Langlade County from the southeast corner, causing thousands of dollars of damage, endangering the lives of scores of people and creating havoc that will be discussed by generations to come. The path was almost the same as that of the tornado of May 18, 1898. In fact the basement of a house (just opposite the John Bahr, Jr., farm) is

The farm of Charles Kloida was a heavy sufferer. The great barns, machinery sheds, silo and other buildings, implements and other property were destroyed. The residence of Mr. Kloida was also badly damaged. The family went into the basement just before the storm approached.

The brick veneer residence, the barn, silo and machinery buildings of Anton Zima were levelled to the ground. Mr. and Mrs. Zima were in Antigo shopping when the storm came up.

zens. Homes and business properties were laid low. A strong southwest wind swept the city during the day. The fire department was called twice to extinguish a fire in a swamp along the Weed mill spur track. The volunteers were unable to cope with the second fire as it gained considerable headway. Weed's saw and planing mills were ignited. Burning cinders and shingles were blown through the air and landed on other buildings. Dwelling houses were destroyed, one after another. Many families managed to save their household contents, however. Losses were sustained by the following: J. H. Weed's mill - $20,000 to $30,000. Residences destroyed with losses ranging from $200 to $3,000 were those of : A. W. Cook, James Weaver, 0. H. Williams, Rufus Payne, Mrs. L. E. McCorckle, Fred Able, Jule Grant, Wm. Oldenburg, Fred McBain, Caleb Morse, E. D. Davis, T. H. Ward, Mike and Jos. Servi, L. Berner, Max Kalouner, Mar-

W RECKED i-AR.M HU.ME OF AXTOX ZIMA On Highway (54, a short distance from Fifth .-Xveiiue, .\ntigo. Wis. This was one of the four farms completely or partially destroyed by the tornado, June K!, 1022.

The granary and the barn of John Bahr, Jr., suffered heavily. The roof of the granary was torn away. Barn doors were torn from their hinges.

Telephone poles in the path of the tornado were pulled from the ground for a distance of about onehalf a mile. The tract of maple owned by John Bahr, Jr., was torn to splinters.

Many Antigo people watched the white "twister" as it approached. None realized that it was but a mile from Fifth Avenue, Antigo's main street. The scene of the tornado was visited by thousands of people who drove through the muddy roads in the rain. It was an incident in the history of Langlade County that will be talked of for many years to come.

The Worst Fire In Antigo History

The most appalling fire in the history of Antigo occurred on the afternoon of May 20, 1893, and losses to the extent of $75,000 were sustained by scores of cititln Crash, Mrs. Jos. Grignon, Rube Paint, H. Schuer, A. J. Webley and David Clements, ($2,000 worth of wood, barn and household goods). The Prosser Livery Company lost sleighs, cutters and livery apparatus.

Many had just time to flee from their homes. One old lady fled carrying a hen in each hand, all she could save from her premises. Another lady fled with a curtain pole and two pups. Sewing machines, bureaus, organs and choice pieces of furniture were carried into the streets only to be burned to ashes.

Another Big Fire

ANOTHER BIG FIRE. January 5, 1893, a serious fire occurred when the M. Binder saloon, C. B. McDonald store, 0. H. P. AUerton store, I. Silbar store and contents were ruined or completely destroyed. Origin of the fire is unknown. The total estimated loss was approximately $20,000. In October, 1893, the Antigo Manufacturing Company mill was destroyed by fire.

Other Important Fires

June 29, 1885 - J. H. Weed's mill fire. Losses to the following: J. H. Weed, S. Bryant, L. Sands & Co., A. Weed, McElwe, Billings & Carney, Methudy & Meyers, Paine Lumber Co., P. Weed, H. Hewitt and H. Ried. Total loss - $340,500.

Smouldering Ruins Of The Antigo High School

SMOULDERING RUINS OF THE ANTIGO HIGH SCHOOL Which was totally destroyed by fire on January (i, lilKi. A week later the walls stood up against the ravages of fire were blasted from their foundation.

July 26, 1894 - Fire started at Crocker Chair Co. yards. Rhinelander fire engine called. Losses to Crocker Chair Co., Thielman Brothers, Herman, Becklinger & Herman, Marsh Brothers & Chase, Charles Thompson, Hessel & Leykom, Kohl & Tollefson, Henry Smith and O'Donnell's Livery.

Brilliant Meteor

On March 10, 1905, at about 9.30 p. m., the citizens of Antigo were almost blinded by a very brilliant flashlike illumination of the entire sky. A heavy clap of thunder followed. The cause was a meteor which struck southwest of the city in Rolling township.