On the morning of January 7, 1873, mild and pleasant weather encouraged many farmers to travel to town or work in their woodlots, but shortly after 2 p.m. a howling blizzard of snow driven by a 70-mph northwest wind shattered the calm. The storm lasted for several days and became so intense that drivers could not see the oxen or teams pulling their sleds. John, Charles, and Stephen O'Neill and Thomas and Michael Holden, traveling from Olivia to Willmar, were forced to stop at this spot in the blinding storm, and only Michael Holden survived. Claud and Jorgen Strand perished in Whitefield Township while returning home with a load of wood, Lars Nelson later died from exposure, Ole K. Spau, Margaret Soland, and Heige Stengrimson were found in Norway Lake Township after dying while trying to reach their homes, and William C. Crump died in Roseville Township after becoming lost during the storm. Twelve persons died in Kandiyohi County during the blizzard of 1873, including John, Charles, and Stephen O'Neill and Thomas Holden here.