Weather rambling — January 1894

The weather on Jan. 1, 1894 cast an optimistic outlook for the New Year.

“The day, itself, was one of the finest of the year — bright, warm sunshine, a balmy air, roads in fine condition, young people as happy and chipper as birds,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Jan. 5.

Skaters were out in force at Glens Falls.

“The good skating on the river above the falls, and the pleasant weather yesterday afternoon, called out a large number of young people, and the ice was filled with a merry throng of skaters,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Jan. 4. “The sleighing also was excellent, and the owners of rigs and livery men were happy.”

Ice harvesting got under way in Warrensburg.

“It is being cut on both the river and on Bond’s Pond. It is about a foot thick, about nine inches of that being clear blue ice,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 5.

“The storm of yesterday greatly improved the sleighing and local trade will doubtless pick up a little in consequence,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 11.

“Ice harvesting has commenced at Lake Sunnyside,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 12.

Rain turned to ice in Glens Falls on Jan. 15, making it miserable for anyone who could not stay indoors.

“The people who had to be on the streets last evening had a sorry time of it, and the majority of them wished they had remained at home,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 16. “It began to rain early in the evening, and the thermometer being just below the freezing- point. In a short time the sidewalks were a sheet of ice.”

Weather Prophet Brady was wrong — this time.

“The clerks of the weather bureau have evidently entered a conspiracy against Weather Prophet Brady,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 23. “His big storm has failed to materialize.”

It did not stop the ice harvest.

“Some of the finest ice that we have seen in many years is now being taken from the river above the dam,” the Fort Edward correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Jan. 18.

The ice on Lake Luzerne was sixteen inches thick, The Morning Star reported on Jan. 24.

Skating was good on the Hudson River near Glens Falls.

“Lovers of good skating found rare enjoyment on the river yesterday,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 27. “The thaw and recent cold snap left the ice in fine condition, and it was covered with a merry throng all day. The surface was hard and glary, and the sport was excellent. … The snow will spoil the skating today, but it will be welcomed by the icemen.”

Bartonville had eight inches of snow, “the heaviest of the season,” on Jan. 30.

In other January weather news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

1892

On this glorious bright 5th day of January, 1892, Salemend sends greeting to The Sentinel,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Jan. 8, 1892. “The grippe, Christmas, New Year’s Day, with the nasty weather, have almost extinguished items from your correspondents. Everyone shakes his head in a half-animated manner — ‘not a thing, nothing new.’”

Nasty weather — yes. But not necessarily winter weather.

“The only thing needed to boom trade is sleighing,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Jan. 11. “People begin to wonder if there is going to be a winter. Be patient friends. We’ll get it before the violets bloom again.”

The temperature dropped.

“The thermometer was six degrees below zero Monday morning,” the White Creek correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on Jan. 15.

“A light snow fell Thursday, but not enough for sleighing,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Jan. 17.

The weather changed abruptly.

“There was another change in the weather Monday night. At 11 o’clock it was a warm as a June evening. By daylight cold enough to make a clothing merchant with a big stock of overcoats smile,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Jan. 22.

“Farmers are cutting ice which is from ten to twenty inches thick and of good quality,” the Comstock correspondent reported.

“Monday’s snowstorm made excellent sleighing.”

1888

“The second new sleigh for the street railway company, which has been somewhat improved over the first one, will be placed on the line tomorrow,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 20.

Sleigh rides were the order of the day.

“A party of twenty-three young people hired Leavens & Co.’s large sleigh last night and rode to the residence of Editor Cole, of The Messenger, where they were guests of his daughter, Miss Gertie. The misses and misters enjoyed themselves at various games, and it was after the midnight hour when they left for their homes.”

“A sleigh load of young people will go to Fortsville tonight to attend a donation party at the residence of Ephraim Washburn,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 24.

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