Schoolchildren's Blizzard | No Warning | 1
Against The Odds
Audible
4.7 • 7.9K Ratings
🗓️ 27 January 2026
⏱️ 40 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In the 1800s millions of people moved to the American midwest, drawn by promises of cheap, fertile land. But they were caught unprepared in January 1888, when a cold front swept down from Canada and caused a brutal blizzard that left thousands of schoolchildren stranded in drafty, uninsulated schoolhouses.
Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter
Listen to Against The Odds on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting http://wondery.com/links/against-the-odds/ now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | A listener note, against the odds uses dramatizations that are based on true events. |
| 0:05.0 | Some elements, including dialogue, may be invented, but everything is based on research. |
| 0:10.0 | This series contains depictions of violence and death involving children and may not be suitable for everyone. |
| 0:16.0 | One, three, one. Eight-year-old Walter Allen |
| 0:26.8 | steps outside of his schoolhouse |
| 0:28.6 | and shudders as a blast of freezing wind slaps his face. |
| 0:32.9 | Above the howl of the blizzard, |
| 0:34.8 | Walter hears his teacher call out. |
| 0:37.3 | Everyone, grab a hold of the student ahead of you. Stay together until we reach the sledge. |
| 0:42.3 | Walter grasped the coat of a girl in front of him, named Mildred, and bunches the fabric in his fingers. |
| 0:48.3 | His bare hands were warm, stuffed in his pockets, but in an instant they turn icy. He wishes he'd brought his |
| 0:56.2 | gloves and hat today, but the morning started out so mild. It's just before 11 a.m. on January 12, 1888, |
| 1:05.0 | in the Dakota Territory. Walter lives in the small town of Groton, not far west from the Minnesota border. |
| 1:12.6 | Five days a week, he makes the half-mile walk from his house to this rickety schoolhouse, |
| 1:17.6 | the only building on this stretch of flat prairie land. |
| 1:21.6 | Walter loves learning, but the schoolhouse is drafty, And with no trees or other buildings around, |
| 1:28.4 | it's exposed to the ferocious winds and snow that have kicked up. |
| 1:33.0 | Walter can't wait to get back to his warm home. |
| 1:35.7 | Thankfully, a few men from town have rushed to the schoolhouse |
| 1:38.9 | with sledges hitched to their horses |
| 1:40.6 | to bring him and the other children back to their houses. |
| 1:45.0 | As Walter and the other children plod toward the wading sledges, a gust of wind blows, |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Audible, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Audible and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.