Winter of 1886-1887
Encyclopedia
The Winter of 1886–1887 was extremely harsh. Although it affected other regions in the United States, it is most known for its effects on the Western United States and its cattle industry. This winter marked the end of the Open Range era and led to the entire reorganization of ranching.
The winter began earlier than usual, in early November. The summer
had been unusually hot and dry, with numerous prairie fires and water sources often dried up. In the fall
, animals grew unusually heavy coats, consumed more food than usual and displayed abnormal behavior. Few people paid attention to this except for old-timers. When snow fell in the late fall
, it was already too late. There was not enough time to prepare for the harsh conditions ahead.
Freezing temperatures killed humans and animals. In some instances, people got lost close to their houses and froze to death very close to their front doors. The loss of livestock was not discovered until spring, when a large number of cattle carcasses were spread across the fields and washed down streams.
The few remaining cattle were in poor health, being emaciated and suffering from frostbite
. They were also very weak and could barely stand. This resulted in the cattle being sold for much lower prices. in some cases leading to bankruptcy. Also, the financial crisis
occurred in the early 1890s. This and other circumstances during the aftermath exacerbated the situation and the cattle industry never recovered.
Future president Theodore Roosevelt's cattle ranch in Dakota was wiped out by the severe winter. This event prompted him to abandon his ranching operations and return to the Eastern United States to continue his political career.
The winter began earlier than usual, in early November. The summer
Summer
Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons, between spring and autumn. At the summer solstice, the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day-length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice...
had been unusually hot and dry, with numerous prairie fires and water sources often dried up. In the fall
Autumn
Autumn is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter usually in September or March when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier....
, animals grew unusually heavy coats, consumed more food than usual and displayed abnormal behavior. Few people paid attention to this except for old-timers. When snow fell in the late fall
Autumn
Autumn is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter usually in September or March when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier....
, it was already too late. There was not enough time to prepare for the harsh conditions ahead.
Freezing temperatures killed humans and animals. In some instances, people got lost close to their houses and froze to death very close to their front doors. The loss of livestock was not discovered until spring, when a large number of cattle carcasses were spread across the fields and washed down streams.
The few remaining cattle were in poor health, being emaciated and suffering from frostbite
Frostbite
Frostbite is the medical condition where localized damage is caused to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. Frostbite is most likely to happen in body parts farthest from the heart and those with large exposed areas...
. They were also very weak and could barely stand. This resulted in the cattle being sold for much lower prices. in some cases leading to bankruptcy. Also, the financial crisis
Panic of 1893
The Panic of 1893 was a serious economic depression in the United States that began in 1893. Similar to the Panic of 1873, this panic was marked by the collapse of railroad overbuilding and shaky railroad financing which set off a series of bank failures...
occurred in the early 1890s. This and other circumstances during the aftermath exacerbated the situation and the cattle industry never recovered.
Future president Theodore Roosevelt's cattle ranch in Dakota was wiped out by the severe winter. This event prompted him to abandon his ranching operations and return to the Eastern United States to continue his political career.