The winter of 1886-1887 had begun earlier than usual, in early November.
The summer had been unusually hot and dry, with numerous prairie fires and water sources often dried up.
In the fall, animals had grows unusually heavy coats and consumed more food than usual.
When snow fell in late autumn, there was not enough time to prepare for the harsh conditions ahead.
Freezing temperatures killed humans and animals.
In some instances, people became lost in blizzards close to their houses and froze to death very close to their front doors.
The loss of livestock is not discovered until spring, when a large number of cattle carcasses are spread across the fields and wash down streams.
The few remaining cattle are in poor health, being emaciated and suffering from frostbite.
They are also very weak and can barely stand.
This results in the cattle being sold for much lower prices, in some cases leading to bankruptcy.
This and other circumstances, such as the Panic of 1893, will exacerbate an already bad situation and the cattle industry will never recover.
For example, future president Theodore Roosevelt's cattle ranch in Dakota has been devastated by the severe winter, losing sixty percent of its cattle.
Although Roosevelt now lives full time in New York, this event will prompt him to abandon his ranching operations in the next decade.
