The following account of a North Dakota blizzard was given by Mr. Ellis Willoughby of Grace City.
During the winter of 1893, I lived on section four in this township (Larrabee) and carried the mail from there to Carrington.
On the morning of January 31st I went to get the mail at Warrens on section twenty-five that is where Ole Peterson now lives. It was a warm morning. The wind was in the southeast and a little snow was flying about eight o'clock, the wind changed. In less than three minutes it blew violently from the northwest. With the wind came a wall of snow so dense that it was impossible to see in any direction.
I had one mule hitched to a small sleigh and I generally sat on top of the box. When the storm came, I got down and led the mule, I felt for the trail with my feet. It hurt me to breathe. I had to stop frequently to wipe the ice from my eyes and nostrils as well as the mules.
When I had gone two miles, I lost the trail, but continued on in what I though was the right direction and reached a garden where there were a few corn stalks. I recognized the place as Henry Ewens as he was the only one who had corn in that vicinity. I reached the house with difficulty and stayed there all night. It had taken me five hours to go six miles.
Mr. Ewen (Evans) and I started out after supper to do the chores. When we got outside, I stayed where I could see the house and he went to find the barn. I shouted to him so that he could find his way back to me. He had to try two or three times before he could discover it.
The blizzard ceased about twelve that night. It was the worst I have seen in my life.
I went to Carrington the next morning. The first man I met was Leon Galehouse. He told me it was fifty-two degrees below by the Government thermometer.
I left Carrington on Wednesday and stayed overnight at Westads.
I arrived home on Thursday at about five o'clock.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 86