Nature's 'widowmaker'

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Not so long ago, nearly every home in Southeast Missouri was heated by burning firewood in a stove or fireplace. This meant somebody had to go out into the woods and cut the firewood. Usually that person was "the man of the house." Gathering firewood could, on occasion, prove very dangerous. Falling limbs can carry enough weight to strike a killing blow to an unfortunate man and, for that reason, dead limbs hanging in trees (as well as dead snags leaning in other trees) became known as "widowmakers."

To continue reading
For more than 115 years, the Southeast Missourian has written the first draft of local history. We have aspired to enrich, entertain, educate and inform. Our core values have remained firm: truth, service, quality, integrity and community. Support our mission.