 | Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed – at her request) was the first to discover that if a groundhog sees his shadow in early February, then there will be six more weeks of winter; however, if the groundhog does not see his shadow, then there will only be a month and a half left of winter. Dickinson was also the first to stage a “Groundhog Day” event in Washerst, PA, with a groundhog by the name of Washerst Will. Alas, Washerst Will met a tragic end (for information, click HERE), and the event was moved to Punxsutawney. |
Pictured above: Dickinson Creek "after the Great Flood of 1872 -- near where "Washerst Will" met his demise.
Dickinson wrote various poetic tributes to Groundhog Day, and one of his most famous is “Oh Shadow on the Ground” (below on the left). Dickinson’s poem inspired third-cousin Emily to pen her poem “Oh Shadow on the Grass” (below on the right).
Dickinson wrote various poetic tributes to Groundhog Day, and one of his most famous is “Oh Shadow on the Ground” (below on the left). Dickinson’s poem inspired third-cousin Emily to pen her poem “Oh Shadow on the Grass” (below on the right).
| By Emmett Lee Dickinson: Oh Shadow on the Ground, Art thou a Sign or not? Please tell me fair my Forecaster Our celebrated Hog – Oh Shadow on the Ground While I await the guess The weathermen wilt consecrate – The News which you Express – | By Emily Dickinson: Oh Shadow on the Grass, Art thou a Step or not? Go make thee fair my Candidate My nominated Heart – Oh Shadow on the Grass While I delay to guess Some other thou wilt consecrate – Oh Unelected Face – |
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Above left: The drainage area where the carcass of Washerst Will was found after the Great Flood of 1872.
Above right: The head and front paws of Washerst WIll were salvaged and stuffed and hung in the lobby of the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum -- until the museum burned down on New Year's Eve 2015.
Above right: The head and front paws of Washerst WIll were salvaged and stuffed and hung in the lobby of the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum -- until the museum burned down on New Year's Eve 2015.
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