Snowball Skirmishes

Editor's note: The following articles were originally published on the dates listed below. Thanks to volunteer researcher George A. Thompson for finding, cataloging and transcribing this article. The language, spelling and grammar of the articles reflects the time period when they were written.

Victorian photograph of women having a snowball fight in Fallston, Maryland.

December 20, 1856 - Rockland County Journal (Nyack, NY)
COMPOSITIONS. SNOW. 
Snow comes next after frost, and the children are all delighted to see the snow.  Before snow comes I get tired of seeing the dead grass and the leaves, and am glad to have them covered up.  It is pleasant to watch the snow-flakes as they fail.  They do not make any noise in falling. It often snows all night without our knowledge.  Then it is a great surprise in the morning to see everything white with snow.  The trees and the roofs of buildings look very white with snow. It is very agreeable to hear the sleigh-bells jingle.  The boys make snow forts, and pelt each other with snow balls; and the deeper the snow the better they like it.  How strange it is that such a cold thing as snow could keep anything warm.  It keeps the earth warmer during winter than what it would be without it.  A great many plants would die in winter if it were not for a good blanket of snow.  
​Piermont, Dec, 1856                     M. J. C — Dis. 2.

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February 9, 1878 - Rockland County Journal (Nyack, NY)
An old fellow from the country on a pair of "bobs" visited the village on Monday, and just as he got opposite Waldron's store he was pelted. front and rear, with snow balls.  The old chap took in the situation at a glance, and began firing back with eggs (ancient ones, saved up for that purpose.  Before he got through with that crowd, they looked as if they had just been battling with yellow fever or jaundice.  A few are not in condition to appear on the street yet.

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December 11, 1903 - Putnam County Courier (Carmel, NY)
Snow balls have been flying thick and last, and nobody has been inconvenienced but those who have been pelted.

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January 27, 1928 - Scarsdale (NY) Inquirer
Snow Man Contest,  Weather Permitting
A contest for the best snow man made by the boys and girls of Scarsdale will be staged by the Scarsdale Supply Company, when and if there is enough snow to make snow men.  Four prizes have been offered from the stock of snow and ice sports articles.  The contestants are to be divided into age groups for the awards.  The contest is to be judged by Tony Sarg, Clare Briggs, and Rube Goldberg and selections are to be made from photographs.  The date set for final receipt of photographs is February 18.
SNOW CONTEST PRIZES
Winners of the Scarsdale Supply Company's unique Snow Man Contest received their awards this week.  Tony Sarg, Clare Briggs and Rube Goldberg were the judges.  
Because an inconsiderate weather man forced the contest to linger so late in the season, the Supply Company offered a choice of prizes — either the winter sporting goods originally promised, or its equivalent in spring sporting goods and games.  
Following is the list of winners: Senior group, ten years old or over.  First Prize: Choice of six-foot toboggan or baseball glove and baseball; Paul Chase, 12 Burgess road. Scarsdale.  Second Prize: Choice of pair of skis or baseball glove; William Burton, 15 Carman avenue, Scarsdale. 
Although only two prizes were offered in this group the contest was so close that it was decided to award a third prize, a choice of half a dozen tennis balls or the equivalent in games; Helen Rollins and Constance Lee, 18 Rodney terrace, Scarsdale. 
Junior group, under ten years old.  First Prize: Choice of skates with shoes, or scooter; John Nute, 241 Madison street. Scarsdale.  Second Prize: Choice of Flexible Flyer sled or croquet set, "Alan" and "Jean," 16 Burges road. Scarsdale. 
In cases where no age was given, or where a "Junior" had admittedly or obviously been "helped" with his snow man, the pictures were classed in the Senior Group.

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