The Story of Charles "Charley" Gingery and the blizzard of 1888
The back of the postcard reads:
"January 12, 1888
"Charles E. Gingery, Whose photograph adorns the opposite of this card, was one of the victims of that memorable storm in Dakota of January 12, 1888. Charley was driving stage between Waterbury and Kimball, a distance of twenty-eight miles. He left Waterbury on the morning of the 11th accompanied by Miss Addie Allen, who had been out on a visit and was returning to her home in Boone, Iowa. The day became extremely rough, and for the lady's sake Charley put up at the Lyonville post-office over night. The following morning was one of extreme loveliness. Though somewhat murky the air was warm and balmy. About 9 o'clock they struck out for Kimball, a distance of ten miles, pleasantly chatting and congratulating themselves on having so lovely a morning in which to complete their journey, when all at once - as though pandemonium had broken loose, and been transformed from hell to earth - they found themselves in a bewildering, blinding, raging storm; as though these evil spirits, maddened by the sulphuric nature of their rightful abode, had brought together all the cheerless elements of the frigid zone to cool their burning souls. The canvass top of the sled caused it several times to (----). Finally the horses became mired in a drift and broke the neck yoke. In trying to fix things up Charley lost his mittens. The wind blew off a (-------) thus leaving them no protection. (-------) and so they waited in the vain hope that the storm would abate. At dark this hope was dispelled and they covered up as best they could for the night. About 9 o'clock the next morning Charley ventured to dig out from his snow-covered bed The storm had abated, but the morning was bitter cold. A house was seen a half mile distant. Now, witness Charley making for the house - bare-headed and bare-handed, feet and hands frozen stiff, and his legs so numb that it was by the most heroic effort that he could move at all.
"The picture tells the remainder of the story so far as Charley is concerned. Miss Allen, a most amiable lady, who had been out to attend her sister's wedding, died from the effects of her exposure.
"Charley is 19 years of age, and is the older son of a widowed mother. He is cheerful and self-reliant and proposes to make the best of the situation. He is a young man of good habits, and a fair common school education, is companionable, and a favorite among his friends."
