Weather rambling — November 1880

April showers bring May flowers, and November showers bring good plowing.

“The weather was never more favorable for late plowing on the clay and greensward than at the present time. The frequent showers having softened up the hard soil and our farmers are imploring the golden opportunity,” The Commercial Advertiser of Sandy Hill, now Hudson Falls, reported on Nov. 10,1880. “From early morn till dusky eve, the voice of the plow-man is heard on lowlands and hills as he chirrups to his steeds or carols a lively song to while away the hours.”

Winds, though, could be fierce.

“The winds of Sunday evening disabled a number of steamers on Lake Champlain by driving them ashore.”

The weather had been “unusually fine,” on Election Day, The Commercial Advertiser reported on Nov. 3.

“The leaders were earnestly at work all day yesterday with their sleeves and pants rolled up.”

Winter weather eventually set in.

“The jingling of sleigh bells were first heard Saturday evening,” The Commercial Advertiser reported on Nov. 24. “It reminds us that winter is upon us.”

Three inches of snow had accumulated in Fort Ann.

Around the region, there was not a heavy snow fall, but enough to jumpstart winter recreation and halt seasonal industries.

“Coasting begins. Saw mills are closed. Boys get your skates in order.”

The Chaplain Canal, which had been scheduled to close Dec. 2, closed early.

“Guess Jack Frost will have his say about the matter and close it earlier.”

The early closing caught some by surprise.

“All last Thursday and until 8 o’clock P.M. a crew of 10 or 12 men with horses worked very hard to get a boat loaded with potatoes and another loaded with barley through the canal,” The Commercial Advertiser reported on Dec.1. “The one with potatoes got as far as Dunham’s Basin and the other had to stop at the Feeder of Glens Falls. The potatioes at this place will be sent by rail.”

The cold was encouraging news for one industry.

“Ice dealers are looking forward to a good harvest this winter.”

In 1886, early November rain brought a welcome relief from drought.

“The somewhat protracted drought was broken by a fine rain the latter part of the week,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Nov. 5, 1886.

“Farmers are now getting what they have long looked for, a rain storm,” the Durkeestown correspondent reported. “It has rained for the past week every day, and if only we could get two weeks more the ground would be in shape for plowing.”

The Putnam correspondent reported: “It has rained nearly all the time for a week, which was needed badly as the wells and cisterns were becoming quite low. The farmers are now able to do their fall plowing.”

Rain turned to snow.

“Young Spriggins, a Glen Street hopeful, turned over in bed yesterday morning, and, upon looking out of a window, discovered that the ground was covered with snow,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Nov. 8. “Inside of five minutes he had dressed himself, had taken his hand sled out of the garret, and was having a roaring time on the street.”

Around southern Washington County, between four and six inches of snow had fallen.

“Belated loiterers and people hurrying home from business cares late Saturday evening noticed the cessation of the patter of raindrops, and, as they passed some lighted window or hallway, saw the bar of light which streamed onward flecked with snowflakes,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Nov. 12. “Involuntarily they looked up and stood still for a brief instant to catch upon their upturned faces some of the gently falling crystals.”

Nearly a foot of snow fell at Putnam.

The snow continued.

“A second installment of the ‘beautiful’ arrived last night, and nature has taken on a wintry aspect,” The Morning Star reported on Nov. 13.

On Nov. 15, The Morning Star headline announced “Another Invoice of Snow,” this one heavy enough to deter transportation.

“The driver of the street car which connected with the ‘sleeper’ at Fort Edward Saturday morning was compelled to leave his car at Fort Edward and make the trip to Glens Falls with a (horse-drawn) bus, the track being blocked with snow.”

Snow did not discourage preachers.

“Notwithstanding the disagreeable condition of the weather Sunday, Granville clergymen preached excellent sermons,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Nov. 19.

Cold had set in by the end of the month.

“Our East Lake George correspondent writes that the bay at Cedar Landing is frozen over,” The Morning Star reported on Nov. 30.

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