In 1882 there was no way to cancel school—no internet, TV, radio, or phone service. How would they have informed parents? By carrier pigeon?
No...you looked down the road. If there was smoke coming out of the school chimney...you walked to school....if mom said it was okay. You just weren't walking that far back then. Psssst...bring a piece of wood for the school.
Laura said coal for the fire?? Really?? The Dakotas hadn't even become states.