Blizzard from Hell

Blizzard from Hell

  by Robert C. Waggoner

  Copyright 2013 Robert C. Waggoner

  Blizzard from Hell

  Short Story

  Robert C. Waggoner

  2013

  “Men, nobody in his right mind would ask someone to go out in this weather. But in this case we're asking for volunteers to deliver some life saving food to our brother protectors up in Esterville. We've three sleds loaded with corn ready to go with sturdy horses. We're not looking for the strongest, but men who have the willpower and dedication to the task at hand.”

  Among others, three brothers were standing in the back of the room. A pot belly stove was glowing red; but ten feet away, clouds of steam escaped out of every man over that distance away from the heat.

  Outside, on January 1st, 1864, a blizzard of untold proportions raged in a furry unseen by or felt by most all in the room. It was this storm coming down from Canada, affecting all in the Midwest in general, and in particular Iowa, where this tale originates.

  The oldest brother Josh McFadden at 24 was one the other two brothers looked up to. Jerry McFadden was two years behind Josh; and their kid brother Kit was 18. Kit was on the slight side whereby Josh and Jerry had filled out from nothing but hard work since young kids. Josh said, "Jerry this is a job for us. We might not survive, but if we don't get that food to the fort, all will starve to death."

  "It's a suicide trip Josh. You must be joking. Pa would be proud, but ma would not let us go. If we froze to death, it would kill her and who would help Pa during farming season."

  Kit said, "We can do it. Never let it be said us McFadden's didn't answer the call when asked."

  "Kit, you're too young to take on a job like this. It would take us at least five days driving sleds into a wind that would freeze the mercury in a bulb. Horses don't like going against the wind. The snow drifts are just waiting to swallow us up."

  Josh raised his hand and said, "Hey Mister. Us three McFadden's will give it a try. If you'll outfit us with wool socks, rubber boots and canvas pants would really help our cause."

  The room went silent except for a pop from the wood stove. Clouds of frosted breath rose after each man sucked in a lung full of air hearing what nobody thought anyone would say. After that, a rumble of voices was heard with an occasional word, 'fools' or 'death trip' and so on.

  Josh and the two brothers worked their way towards the front where the man who previously was standing on a wooden box, was now on the floor with his hand out to Josh. "You're brave men. We'll do what we can for you, but mostly you're on your own." Josh opened his mouth to say something when the door blew open. The chair that had been used to prop it shut went flying as a powerful gust of wind sent the door crashing into the wall. About five guys struggled with the door against the wind to shut it. Once the door was secured, the men jockeyed for position around the stove. Even with coats on men slapped their arms for circulation. Some foot stamping was also heard.

  "God will see us through this trip. We might lose a toe or finger or two, but come a time we'll see some happy faces waiting for our precious food. We'll also need shovels. Without the sun or stars we have no idea what direction were going. We're in God's hands," said Josh.

  Josh was married to Lois Blanchert. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Blanchert who owned the hardware store in town. All three brothers and their mother were staying with the Blanchert's during this winter storm. The boy's father, Steve McFadden stayed on the farm tending the stock.

  After the brothers came back to the Blanchert home, Josh told Lois what transpired down at the tavern. "You did what," she screamed. "Tell me it's not true. You and your brothers are going to take some sleds of food to the army fort in Esterville?"

  "I know it sounds crazy Lois, but we feel it's our duty to our country and to God. He will take care of us and we're in great shape to take this challenge on."

  Tears were rolling down her face as she went to her mother for some consolation. Jerry and Kit were looking for a place to hide. Lois was a redhead from pure Irish decent. When she got mad or angry, best look out as things would start flying around the room. Josh went to her to do what he could to calm her down. He attentively reached out with one hand, but all that did was make her cry harder. He, like most all men, hated to see women cry. Most of the time they didn't know why females cried, but in this case, with a blizzard racing through the Midwest, her fear for him was evident. Josh hung his head looking at the small piles of drifting snow piling up under the door. It wouldn't melt being so far from the kitchen wood stove. Even around the windows small piles of drifting snow accumulated. Also, there was a constant roar of the wind with gusts blowing snow against the house and windows. For anyone having lived in the Midwest, seeing drifted snow as high as the roof was not uncommon.

  Josh said, "We must go to your father's store for some supplies Lois. Don't worry I'll be back. We McFadden's are too ornery to die so young." Everyone looked at the kitchen door as Lois father came in with a rush. Behind him billows of fine powered snow followed him like a summer shadow.

  "Ah Josh me boy. All is ready for you and your brothers. Are you sure you want to do this foolish thing?" With him saying that, brought on a fresh round of crying from Lois, and now her mother joined with silent tears flowing. Both Jerry and Kit were starting to have second thoughts about this venture.

  Edwin said, "You need some fuel in your bodies before you go. Mrs. Franks gave me six eggs for you three guys to eat right now. Also, everyone pitched in with some beef and deer jerky for your trip." He carefully dug out the eggs from his coat pocket.

  After a late breakfast, the three brothers left the shelter of friends and family to buck the wind to the hardware store. All three, with Josh leading, bent into the wind from the waist up, walked down the middle of the street where the snow was the lightest. Wherever an obstacle blocked the snow from blowing away, it collected in drifts roof high on that January day of a new year.

  Inside the hardware store a stove was doing its best to warm the area it sat in. Lois's grandmother was tending the store. She'd laid out wool long handle underwear for each brother. Wool socks, shirt, mufflers and stocking hats were stacked neatly in a pile for each brother. Canvas pants would protect them from the wind. Likewise a three quarter length canvas coat with a wool lining completed the outfits to face nature's wrath.

  After each brother dressed, they stuffed their saddle bags with dried food that would freeze in minutes once outside even with being strapped to the horse. Josh said, "Well boys, we're in for it now. We must keep moving. The plains will be relatively free of snow except the ravines. I think shovel work to get our sleds through those places. Each night we'll have to build a shelter for the horses and ourselves to catch a few winks."

  "Hell, I'm as ready as I'll ever be," said Jerry. Kit was being rather quiet, Josh noticed. This trip would make or break the teenager. Josh prayed for all of their lives that morning. They walked to the livery stable where the horses waited. Inside, even though the doors were closed, the cold wind came through every nook and cranny depositing small piles of snow. Ed the stable owner had just finished feeding the horses grain. Not too much mind you, but just the right amount to put a small fire in the animals.

  The sleds were waiting outside. The recruiter, Amos, was talking with Ed about how brave the three brothers were. Ed thought, yes very brave, but maybe not so smart. However, those brave guys at the fort protecting against an Indian attack were worth the effort. Never mind the fact no Indian in his right mind would be venturing outside his wigwam in weather like this.

  The brothers wrapped the wool mufflers or scarves around their faces. The only skin exposed would be the eye lids. Lined deer skin gloves were the las
t thing put on before they hooked the horses up to the sleds. Josh would take the lead, Kit in the middle with Jerry bringing up the rear. Josh looked up and could barely make out the two sleds behind him in the almost white out conditions. It was now or never. He waved at Ed and Amos.