IMH 75:2 171-172

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Saturday, February 12th.

The howling winds were abroad all last night. It blew in
great gusts from the south from about eight o'clock last night
till sundown to-day. A violent snow storm was also going on
most of the time especially after daylight and the snow was
whirled in blinding clouds. Spots of ground were sometimes left
bare, or almost so, and others were covered deep with the
drifted snow. It was blown through the smallest cracks and was
an inch deep in the wood-house and shop. The snow ceased at
sundown, the wind still blew, though not so hard. As may be
imagined little was done besides the chores Nobody tried to go
anywhere or to do anything outdoors that was'n't necessary
There was to have been a Township Institute held on the
hill to day but I presume the weather will be a good excuse for
no one's attendance.

Teaching note: I do not have any idea what a "Township Institute" was. if your
students are in the secondary level or above, it would be a good "Extra Credit"
project to see what they can uncover.The township governance in Indiana in the
21st century functions in two major areas-- fire protection and poor relief. In the 1880's it
also was the controlling body for the schools and possibly to some extent, the roads.
The head of the Township governance was then as it is today, the Township
Trustee. That individual in 1880 was always a male. It would be 39 years (1920) before a
woman could run for office or vote with the ratification of the 19th amendment.
The Township Trustee also hired the teachers for the public schools. My
Grandfather lost a principalship because he was a Republican whereas the
Trustee was a Democrat.