On January 12, 1888…135 years ago today, my grandfather Walter Jewett Allen lost his way on the plains of South Dakota during what came to be known as ‘The Children’s Blizzard’. Hours later, his brother Will stumbled over him, finding him buried in snow and unconscious. More than one hundred children froze to death during that storm. My grandfather made it home, by the grace of God. His son, my father…lived to be ninety years old.
Thank you God. Thanks to the unknown Angel assigned to my grandfather that day. Thank you great Uncle Will for risking your own life to save your brother, my grandfather; with whom I sat on hot summer days, wedged into his rocking chair with him…silent as he smoked his cigar and I brushed cigar ash off my legs as we rocked and thought…
690 Saint Paul 