Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published Feb. 2, 2005

This is the story of how Groundhog Day was changed

In a February 1922 issue of the Chronicle, a humorous local story appeared with the headline "Groundhog Day Changed By High Authority." Since today is that day, it seemed appropriate to tell the story again.

"Thursday of last week, February 2, is generally considered Groundhog Day, and if his hog-ship did not see his shadow in this section it was because he overslept and did not venture forth, for the day was bright and sunny.

"The thought of a severe winter and six more weeks of cold and snow is far from pleasant to practically everyone. Judge C.E. Snodgrass, Esq. U.S. Rose and others were discussing the groundhog theory of winter and much regret was expressed that the winter should prove a long and severe one, if his hog-ship was to be believed.

"Esq. Rose told those present that he had no fears of the winter being long and cold because February 2 was a bright and sunshiny day and that he should reserve his judgment on the severity of the winter until after February 14, for that was the real Groundhog Day for this county. When asked why he explained it this way.

"Several years ago a suit was in course in the circuit court, over which Judge Snodgrass presides, and Monroe Hyder was called to testify. In asking him questions pertaining to the case, the attorney asked Mr. Hyder his age and he replied a certain number of years old 'next Groundhog Day.' The attorney asked him when that would be according to the calendar. Mr. Hyder promptly said, 'February 14.' Esq. Rose maintains that no person of sound mind in this section would pretend to question so high an authority as Mr. Hyder and for that reason February 14 must be Groundhog Day in this county.

"The editor has no information as to whether or not Mr. Hyder has issued his edict and changed the day in Idaho where he now lives, but we feel sure that should he do so those who know Mr. Hyder, and there are several Cumberland County citizens living there, they would at once accept his edict without question and have as much faith in February 14 as February 2."

For a more historically correct explanation of how Groundhog Day came to be celebrated Charles Panati traced its origins in his book Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things. It was 16th-century German farmers who started the legend and it was not a groundhog but a badger who, if he saw his shadow, went back to his burrow and slept another six weeks.

German immigrants brought the belief to Punxsutawney, PA when they settled there in the 19th-century. Trouble was there were no badgers but there were lots of groundhogs. They decided that was close enough and they adapted the story. Little did they know in those early days that media folk would troop to Punxsutawney every February 2 to watch the groundhog in residence venture forth to test the weather.

If all of Cumberland County had listened to Monroe Hyder and combined Groundhog Day with Valentine's Day, we might have attracted the national spotlight.

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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.