Blizzard of '49 stranded hundreds of travelers

By Arlene Ahlbrandt and Wayne C. Sundberg
Wellington Centennial Committee

There are still many people who vividly remember the blizzard of January 1949. Fifty-six years ago this month, Wellington made national newsreels and newspaper headlines. It was the worst blizzard in northern Colorado history.

New Year's Day 1949 dawned sunny and bright. Before the day ended, the temperature reached 70 degrees. The next day, a raging blizzard with winds up to 80 miles per hour swept across northern Colorado and the other Great Plains states. Temperatures dropped as low as 50 degrees below zero.

For three days in a row, the area was isolated by huge snowdrifts, and traffic was paralyzed. There were 65 motorists stranded on U.S. Highway 87 between Wellington and Cheyenne. Many were returning home from the New Year holiday. If it weren't for the efforts of the community of Wellington, many people would have certainly frozen to death.

True western hospitality was shown when town folks took people--complete strangers--into their homes. True heroism was displayed when volunteers risked their lives to reach and dig out stalled cars and to rescue half-frozen people from the killer storm. Across the Great Plains, over 100,000 travelers were marooned, and more than 100 perished.

As soon as it was reasonable to do so, the highway department dispatched maintenance crews, while the Wellington Volunteer Fire Department and others helped rescue the people. They brought 125 stranded victims into town to shelter and food at the American Legion Hall. The women of the Legion set up the emergency aid center. Dr. A.B. Monroe of Fort Collins, marooned at a nearby ranch, was brought to the aid center by tractor. He examined and treated people for frostbite, exhaustion and shock.

Some volunteer women brought blankets and bedding and set up a "receiving line." The refugees were first made comfortable, then given a blanket, a warm mug of coffee, sandwiches and a bowl of hot soup. Jess and Mary Angel who owned the local Mary's Café furnished the coffee and food. They kept the café open for two days and nights while the rescue was under way. Frieda Carlson, the postmaster's wife, had each person register, so they would know who was already at the hall and who was still missing.

Harmon Wich, who operated the auto garage and tow truck in town, heard that Leo Tolles' car had skidded into a ditch. Harmon left, taking his young son, Donald, for company and headed his wrecker north. When he didn't return by evening, everyone was concerned. Wilson Leeper talked to a passing trucker and was told things were getting worse up on the hills to the north. A highway patrol car had to be pulled out of a drift.

Hank Wich, Harmon's uncle, went on a rescue mission with some other men. They found Harmon and Donald about noon the next day. Harmon's face was frozen and Donald was severely chilled.

On Jan. 4, Larimer County Sheriff Ray M. Barger and his deputy had a big snow plow break the double snow drift barrier south of Wellington and then followed it into Wellington. He had a truckload of food for the stranded victims and milk for the children. None of the victims were in serious condition but a few had frostbite. He took a dozen of the stranded people back to Fort Collins with him.

On the missing list were the Leo Tolles and the Al Glassburn families. Leo Tolles, his wife, his mother-in-law and their two children had abandoned the car and were later found safe at the Hackman Ranch - 15 miles north of Wellington, near Carr. The Glassburn occupants spent nearly 70 hours in their car until they were rescued by a party from the Warren Livestock Ranch.

Many dead sheep and cattle could be seen in the fields after the storm. But the most tragic episode was the death of a couple and their two children, who had lived in Wellington but had moved to Rockport. Phillip Roman and his wife, Ione, became stranded in their stalled car. They decided to leave the car and started to walk toward their home with their two children, Tony, 10, and Peggy, 8. They were found frozen to death, the mother and little girl together, and the father and son together, all four within 100 feet of each other.

At the end of the three days the storm was over and the way was cleared for the stranded visitors to leave. Another storm hit on Jan. 6, but without the strength of the first one. By working together as a community of caring individuals, residents saved countless lives. Many of them will always remember the courage and friendliness of residents in Wellington.

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles on Wellington history to recognize the town's centennial year. Wellington's birthday bash will take place Sept. 16, 17 and 18.