Ernie Hammer is a long time Kiowa County Press contributor. This story is written by Ernie’s Aunt Liz, Elizabeth Katherine (Hammer) Smith Benatti, based on her memories and family research. The story begins in Germany with Oswald Hammer and Margarethe Marie von Barsewisch, Liz’s parents. Liz passed away at the age of 104. She was living at the Kohart Home in Kit Carson at the time of her death. Part 19 can be read here.

I Remember It Well (clipped from Colorado Springs Gazette after publication)

It was about five p.m. when the talk really centered on the storm.  But in the country, kids were home from school, having walked the three miles or so.  So with the threatened storm clouds piling up steadily since early afternoon, the children hurried with chores.  The main duties at this time of year were to put the livestock into sheds, barns or the corrals.  The children were looking forward for time to make their presents for Christmas and Rod’s birthday, December 14^th.

The winds were now very gusty and much stronger than they had been in the early afternoon.  How suddenly the storm grew in intensity.  Many tumbleweeds broke loose from the root anchors and tumbled against the fences.  They were packed higher than the barbed wire fences as far as you could see.  Some tin blew off the roofs of the sheds and went sailing past.  Snow soon was heaped into drifts as much as several feet.  The windows became covered with snow and the door opening was filled with packed snow as high as the door knob.

The older boys lit the lantern to go to the barn to check on the cow that was to calve soon.  One is never sure of the birth time, but a storm usually brings the birth body out.  Hardly had the boys gone out when the door flew open and they were back.  They just couldn’t make it to the barn.  Mother went to the back room and came back with a new rope which was supposed to be a big surprise for Rod’s birthday.  The boys fastened the rope to the porch banister.  Next the rope was taken to the garden gate which had been flung back against a post by a strong wind.  After the struggle at the gate they proceeded toward the barn. After about an hour the boys came to the outside and grabbed the rope as furiously as the air about them.  After the first breath inside the kitchen, they told of the newborn calf’s predicament.  Mother produced for the back room a big washtub filled with rags, gunny sacks and a bit of old carpet.

One boy opened the door, one carried the lantern and the other two carried the tub.  Inside the barn they put some fodder into the tub and lifted the calf into the tub and pushed their way back to the house.  Rod was ready to rub the shivering slimy newborn body of the calf.  Rod then took a pan of milk, stuck his one hand into the warm milk and stuck two of his fingers up and pushed the nose of the calf into the pan.  His fingers found the mouth of the calf and it instinctively began to suckle.    In the morning the calf was ready to stir.

But the night was not finished with this life saving.  In the middle of the night a banging on the door became two half frozen sheepherders who and gotten lost in the storm trying to find their flocks of sheep on this wild night on the prairie of eastern Colorado.  The already crowded room was again rearranged to make room for attending the two new occupants.  After doing some first aid and making a little nourishment – beans from the kettle and the back of the stove, some cornbread from the cupboard and some strong coffee from the big pot on the hearth.

With morning came little respite from the storms intensity.  The sun made some effort to come out the second day but the clouds parted only at time to let the sun shine.  The tired men kept cleaning pathways and tunneling to various buildings all day.  It was a real help to have these grown men in on the activity.

I remember it well, as a seven year old, I helped with much of the errands working through the three days with the big kids was much to be remembered.  I mostly took care of the three younger siblings.  I, too, felt big like Rod with his first long pants and new lariat.  Rod got his first taste of ownership by getting Rosie’s new calf.  The sheepherders left on the third day never to be seen again at this place.  

Next week – As the World Turns

The Kiowa County Press invites those who live in or have ties to Colorado - especially the southeast, however all contributions are welcome - to share their story with our readers. Family history, current life, unique sites and adventures, and other aspects of living in Colorado are welcome. Contact us at editor@KiowaCountyPress.net.