Song of the blizzard 1888 ‘ Thirteen were saved’
“Song of the Great Blizzard 1888 ‘Thirteen Were Saved’ or ‘Nebraska’s Fearless Maid’ Song and Chorus by Wm. Vincent, published by Lyon & Healy, Chicago”
Read the selection in Portrait of America, by David Laskin, entitled, “Death on the Prairies: The Murderous Blizzard of 1888” on pages 39-49.
Write a well-reasoned essay addressing the following topic:
What factors that day made the death toll from the blizzard higher than would normally be expected for a blizzard?
This section contains your thesis statement.
Sample Solution
The blizzard of 1888 was one of the most devastating weather events to ever hit the United States, resulting in a death toll far higher than would be expected for a typical blizzard. This essay will analyze the factors that led to this higher death toll, such as extreme temperatures and suddenness of the storm.
Firstly, The Great Blizzard of 1888 occurred during an unusually cold winter. Temperatures had been well below freezing before and after the storm–as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit in some locations–which made it particularly difficult for people caught out in the open or stranded on trains by the storm to survive. Furthermore, due to a lack of meteorological technology at this time period, few people were warned about what was coming; instead many were taken completely by surprise when strong winds began howling through their towns with no warning whatsoever (Laskin 2014).
In addition, living conditions and infrastructure played an important role in heightening fatality rates from this specific blizzard. Many homes lacked insulation or modern heating sources which posed significant risks for those stuck inside during such frigid temperatures (Laskin 2014). Furthermore, transport infrastructure at this time was also very minimal; roads were poorly paved if paved at all which meant travel became impossible once snowfall began accumulating quickly on top of sheer ice layers below ground level (Laskin 2014). Moreover because many railroad tracks ran only slightly above ground levels they easily became blocked and impassable once snow accumulation reached certain depths (Laskin 2014). In turn these factors contributed heavily towards trapping several thousand people across various states who suddenly found themselves unable to continue traveling while simultaneously being exposed to extreme temperatures.
Overall, it is clear that several environmental and infrastructural factors increased death tolls associated with The Great Blizzard of 1888 substantially beyond what would typically be expected from regular winter storms today. From record-breaking cold temperatures combined with little warning ahead of its arrival coupled with deficient home insulation plus sparse transport infrastructure among others—all these elements came together that fateful night leading up to some tragic consequences.
