Teddy Roosevelt was a rancher in North Dakota from 1883, and a good deal more 'hands-on' than many, but lost 60% of his cattle in the 1886-7 winter, and moved on to other things not long after. Some of his acquaintences from that time joined his Rough Riders in the Spanish-American war.
In today's time of rapid change I erroneously imagine the past to be stable and reliable. Could not be wronger. Stories like this reveal how at risk people throughout history were to all kinds of upheaval.
Teddy Roosevelt was a rancher in North Dakota from 1883, and a good deal more 'hands-on' than many, but lost 60% of his cattle in the 1886-7 winter, and moved on to other things not long after. Some of his acquaintences from that time joined his Rough Riders in the Spanish-American war.
https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/historyculture/elkhorn-ranch....
In today's time of rapid change I erroneously imagine the past to be stable and reliable. Could not be wronger. Stories like this reveal how at risk people throughout history were to all kinds of upheaval.
There's a famous Charlie Russell painting of a dying cow from the winter of 1886-7, a version of which is here: https://www.nps.gov/grko/learn/historyculture/winter.htm
I "believe" in global warming, but I wonder if we had a season like 1886 again if it would be trotted out as sure proof of global warming?