Weather rambling — January 1895

The New Year opened with winter recreation.

“Since the snowfall of last week, ice, several inches thick, has formed on the river above the falls. Yesterday afternoon it was covered with skaters, both lads and lasses, who thoroughly enjoyed the exhilarating sport,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Jan. 1, 1895.

“Ice in the river above the dam measures from five to six inches in thickness, and the ice harvesters will commence work in about ten days,” the Sandy Hill correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Jan. 5.

Sleighing, meanwhile, was hampered in that awkward gap between wagon and sleighing season when muddy roads were the norm.

“Traveling on foot is altogether the surest way of getting around. Either sleighing or wagoning is both rough and dangerous,” the North Hebron correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on Jan. 4.

Sleighing conditions elsewhere were adequate, though not yet optimum.

“The sleighing is good in this part of Washington County at present,” the Cossayuna correspondent reported.

“The skating on the river above the falls is excellent. Crowds of ladies and gentlemen enjoyed the sport there yesterday. The brickyard pond was also patronized yesterday by both sexes,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Jan. 3.

“The thermometer registered 23 degrees below zero in the village Saturday morning (Jan. 5), it being the coldest day thus far this season,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Jan. 11.

“An exceptionally brilliant rainbow was visible last Sunday morning about 8:30 o’clock and could be seen for a period of several minutes directly north of the village,” the Salem correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on Jan. 18. “The beautiful columns of the bow and its unusual position in the heavens attracted considerable attention and called for the several amusing prophesies from some of the superstitious villagers.”

A bit more snow would be welcome.

“The light fall of snow Tuesday evening on the icy sidewalks in some parts of this village upset the equilibrium of several pedestrians. Although some of the fortunate ones were of mature years, no bones were broken,” the Salem correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on Jan. 18.

“The light snowfall of Saturday morning improved the sleighing wonderfully. Another six inches of snow would make teamsters and lumbermen happy,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 19. “Earl B. Smith has commenced his annual crop of ice at the Feeder Dam.”

There was a brief thaw.

“The thaw was attacked by a chill last evening,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 23.

“Winter weather prevails and there is every prospect of a howling, dancing, snowstorm in the near future,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Jan. 25.

“Ice fourteen inches thick is being cut in the Hudson River near this village,” the Fort Edward correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on Jan. 25.

“The skating on the canal is now the best that has been there this winter,” the Fort Edward correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Jan. 25.

“We have excellent sleighing, and everybody is busy and therefore happy,” the Johnsburg correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Jan. 26.

“Ice-cutting has become an important industry in Glens Falls within the past few days,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 26. “More than fifty teams are drawing ice from several points on the river to ice houses in this village and surrounding country.”

“Ice eighteen inches thick is being harvested at Glens Falls,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 30. “Weather Prophet Brady predicts a snowstorm for Saturday, with extremely cold weather on Sunday.”

The month ended with fine weather for harness racing.

“The fine weather yesterday afternoon brought out a large crowd to the matinee of the Winter Driving Association on the old fair ground. Nearly every member of the society turned out and there was an unusual attendance of spectators,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 31.

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