more about stranded at school at Geneva New York by: William A. Ladd
Some of the drifts were at least 4 feet deep. When Clara and her two daughters left to walk home We were afraid they might become disoriented or maybe tired out by slogging thru the heavy snow. The wind was directly in their faces for all but a quarter of a mile.
Clara stated that if she did not reach her home as soon as possible then her own elderly mother would start out on foot looking for them.
Clara had no phone so she could not call her mother. Clara had made that walk twice a day for years to catch the bus to her job at Geneva. They also had no car.
Clara was a widow. She lived with her parents and worked very trying to support herself and he two daughters, Shirley and Ester.
Shirley and I were the only two students in the first grade at a one room country school. We did walk to our school in all kinds of weather. Shirley and Ester had another half mile to walk from our house.
I vaguely recall that sometimes our teacher would give us a lift home.
Carolyn! You should be able to see Ester and My sister as they were starting for school on that tape that you made for us. I was in the yard turning somersaults
I have a couple more true snow stories I may post here in the future. Be sure to look for them.
William A. Ladd
Mar 16, 2009 Rating
poor kids got lucky by: Carolyn
Those poor kids sure got lucky by the sounds of it; being rescued by your Dad and taken care of by your mother. Do you remember how much snow there was, how deep was it?
I can almost imagine being there! Good story!
Mar 11, 2009 Rating
more of the story by: William A. Ladd
The mother, (Clara), of one of the girls who rode in Dad's car was waiting for Dad to arrive with her daughter. Later when Clara's other and older daughter from high school arrived on the bus, Clara started out in the storm on foot to walk another mile with the two girls. Another highschool girl wanted to go with them but she would have another mile to walk alone. My mother insisted that she stay with us.
In the meantime mother had prepared sanwiches and hot drinks ready for anyone who needed a break from the storm. Several times the stranded kids and cold snow shovelers came into our house for those eats, hot drinks and to use the bathroom.
The wind blew fiercly all night and the next morning we could see many more cars that had been abandoned in the drifts.
Th sun came out very bright the next morning but it was very cold and the wind had died down to a slight breeze. Our overnight guest, the highschool girl was given extra clothes and she went on her way home.
William A Ladd
Barry's Response - Thanks again William. For those who have not seen the beginning of the story, use the link at the bottom of this page.
