Teddy Roosevelt was a rancher in North Dakota from 1883, and a good deal more 'hands-on' than many, but lost 60% of his cattle in the 1886-7 winter, and moved on to other things not long after. Some of his acquaintences from that time joined his Rough Riders in the Spanish-American war.

https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/historyculture/elkhorn-ranch....

In today's time of rapid change I erroneously imagine the past to be stable and reliable. Could not be wronger. Stories like this reveal how at risk people throughout history were to all kinds of upheaval.

There's a famous Charlie Russell painting of a dying cow from the winter of 1886-7, a version of which is here: https://www.nps.gov/grko/learn/historyculture/winter.htm

I "believe" in global warming, but I wonder if we had a season like 1886 again if it would be trotted out as sure proof of global warming?