Fisherman's Hollow

Fisherman's Hollow

Anna's Diary

I knew that the roads were drifting fast, but as I had walked down the beach I didn't realize how fast. My one hope was to get to Fredonia and back before they became impassable. Maybe you remember the two hollows on the Lake Road just before you turn into Van Buren? It was in the first one that Nell went down. I got out and, calming her, I shoveled her out. I got in again and started her up. At the next hollow where the drift began, she again went down. Again I got out and shoveled her out, and again got in and started her up. She went about four or five yards and down again! By that time she was trembling violently from the effort of plowing her way, belly-deep, through the drifts, and was rapidly becoming nervous. I had to talk to her constantly to keep her from plunging into me as I stood in front of her and shoveled her out. The drift stretched ahead of me to the top of the hill, and after getting in and trying to turn her across it into the fairly clear pasture at one side - only to have her half down again - I gave up and, unhitching her, I tried to drive her home. Drive! Ye tears!! She pulled me through that snow until my footprints were two yards apart. I could get no purchase for my feet, so couldn't brace myself enough to stop her. At last onto my knees I went, sliding, wallowing, plunging. She pulled me until, with an effort, I threw all my weight backward with a sudden yell and jerk and she stopped. Then I tied the lines so that they wouldn't trip her, and let her go home alone.

Smith, Anna Clift

Chapter III, "Difficulties of Leaving Van Buren", Van Buren Life

December 1904

Illustration/ Written Document