Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1857-01-28
SNOW AND DIFFICULTIES.

The mail train on the Raleigh and CASTOR rail-
road left the city of Raleigh, Sunday morning
last, at o'clock, in a snow Storm and proceeded,
with great difficulty as far as Mrs. Hawkins, about
so miles, when the SNOW became deep, to
der further progress impossible and upon consuta-
ton, the Conductor, Mr.. j. Horton decided to re-
trace steps to Henderson, five miles distant, and
accoI Idingy, the engine was reversed, and our train
backed only two miles, when it ran into bank Of
snow, and could proceed further. In this situa-
tion-not able to move in either directon-we
hung up; the snow falling We never saw it fall
before and the wind blowing purtect gale. Con-
ductor Horton summoned the Crew, consisting of
the Engineer, Mr.. Rufus Horton. and fircmen, VIM.
Vaughn and - Hcdgepeth. into the Post Office.
to hold further consultation, upon the best plan
be adopted, to the lives of those present.
sisnG of the parties named t0Se her with the Route
Agent, MIR. W. Whitaker, Mr.. Williamson, P. o.
clerk, and the two train hands, and old negro
woman, the only passenger. The Engineer, his two
fircnen, and Mr. Williamson, determined to oot it''
for Henderson, three miles distant, and, if practical
b e, send out help to those who remained and ac-
cordnly, after teing their faces up with their hand
kerchets, left the train, in the midst of Storm the
fury OF which, your correspondent cannot find lam
euage tn dlscribe-to go out, seemed like certain
death but they started, and alter two hours hard
work, they reached Henderson, but did not enter
tain the least hope of again seeing the train before
the next day. Resigned to onr fate, Capt. Horton,
and w. Whitaker, in the NAL room, and the SER
their stoves hot, and hope for the best. The night
was long, and the storm ragged, seeming to mock at
our fears; with great difficulty, we kept tolerably
comfortable, and welcomed the dawn of day, only
to find the snow around to the depth of four feet
one side, and about eight feet on the other-the
wind still blowing storm,
At aoout 12 o'clock one of our messengers return
ed from Henderson, bringing breaktast with the
cheering intelligence that efforts were being made
at Henderson to reach train and carry us to that
place. Impatently listened for the achistle, and
at O'Clock in the afternoon did hear the joy
full sound and soon messenger. foot, Mr.. Rufus
Horton, approached our snow bound prison and in
formed us that if desired to lears we must wade
to the engine, mile off. Entertaining such q
desire, three with two servants, shouldered the
rua bags and made for the engine, through the snow,
leg deep, and after half hour we landed iender.
son. The next day the way opened to the
train, and that too hauled back to Henderson, after
the most toll. Wednesday, IL o'clock, We
shackled together three engines the Franklin, "
"Alamarce" and "Warren," and proceeded TO
Raleigh, (running through immense banks of snow, }
where we arrived at about o'clock.
Too much praise cannot be awarded our three
engineers, Rufus Horton, Jesse Shaw and John Beck
ham, for their self sacrifice in running through the
snow, and reaching point so much wished for by
so many of
In many places in Granville county I saw drifted
snow to the depth Of ten feet. On level the snow
measured twenty five inches. w. w.