The Blue Blizzard of 1929

Winter came with a vengeance to central Texas February 1929. Heavy snowstorms, raging Artic winds, and stinging bitter cold that paralyzed the community of Hog Eye, located just south of Elgin, Texas. I was not born until 1932 but I have heard the grim details repeated from family and folks who lived to tell about it.

Mama Ruth survived the blue blizzard and she loved to tell a good story. I was honored to hear her true version of the story. No one was prepared for that kind of bitter weather. Central Texas is well known for mild winters. Folks were surprised and shocked at the bitter winds. Most had never experienced anything like it.

Mama Ruth gave me a date, February 15, 1929. This day just happened to be when Ruth’s sixth child found his way from the womb into the frosty world. Papa Gus brought in an armload of dry wood, as the high winds blew snow into every corner, crack and crevice of the old farmhouse.

Ruth made sure her other five children ate red beans and rice, and were dressed warmly for the one mile trip to go to Aunt Lil’s house on Pistol Hill. There was no telephone to call the doctor. I do not know if Papa Gus had a truck, or if his vehicle simply could not plow thru the deep snow.

He hitched up the team to the wagon to fetch Dr. Woods. He wrapped the children in blankets. They huddled together in the wagon to give them some protection from the icy winds.

By the time Papa Gus returned home the baby was settled comfortably in his mother’s arms. Dr. Woods arrived shortly and proclaimed that the baby boy and mama were healthy. Gus and Ruth had agreed on the name Thomas to be the child’s first name.

Papa Gus spoke up. He wanted the middle name to be Gus, after himself. Dr Woods signed the birth certificate Thomas Gus Hill, then he rode back out into the piercing winds of the blue blizzard.