Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-01-24
he Standard,
SNOW AND DIFFICULTIES.

SNOW AND DIFFICULTIES.
The mail train 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, as to rem
der further progress impossible and upon consuta-
ton, the Conductor, Mr.. j. Horton decided to re-
trace our steps to Henderson, five miles distant and
accoi dinghy, the engine reversed, and our train
backed on y 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 never it fall
before, and the wind blowing purfect gale. Con-
ductor Horton summoned the Crew, consisting of
the Engineer, Mr.. Rufus Horton, and firemen, VIM.
Vaughn and - Hedgepcth. into the Post Office.
to hold further consultation, upon the best plan to
be adopted, to the lives of those present.
sistng of the parties named, together with the Route
Agent, Mr.. w. Whitaker, Mr.. Williamson, p. y.
clerk, and the two train hands, and an old negro
woman, the only passenger. The Engineer, his two
firemen, and Mr. Williamson, determined to "foot it"
for Henderson, three miles distant, and, if practical
BILE, Send out help to those who remained; and ac-
cordnly, after tieng their faces up with their hand
kerchieiS, left the train in the midst of Storm the
fury of which, your correspondent cannot find lam
guage to discribe-to 80 out, seemed like Ger tain
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,
W. Ill tilc fOOiil, anu Tie ScT.
wants in their room, sat down 10 keep the fire in
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 toerably
comfortable, and welcomed the dawn of day, only
to find the around to the depth of four feet
Side and about eight feet OH the other-the
wind still blowing Storm
AT aoout 10 o'clock one of our messengers return
cd from Henderson, bringing breakfast, with the
cheering intelligence that efforts were being made
at Henderson to reach train and carry US to that
place. Impatently listened for the achistte and
at o'clock in the afternoon we did hear the joy
full sound, and soon a messenger. Oh foot, Mr. Rufus
Horton, approached our snow bound prison and in
formed us that if ace desired to leaoe must wade
to the engine, one mile off. Entertaining such
desire, three, with two servants, shouldered the
rnal bags and made for the through the snow,
leg deep, and after half hour We landed at Hendcr
son. The next day the way opened to the
train, and that too hauled back Henderson, after
the most severe toll Wednesday, IL o'clock, we
shackled together three engines, the " Franklin"
Alamance" and "Warrcn," and proceeded to
Raleigh, drumming 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 sclfsacriiicc in running through the
snow and reaching a point so much wished for by
In many places in Granville county saw drifted
snow to the depth of ten feet. On level the snow
measured twenty-five incnes w. w.
UNIVERSITY TRusrEEs.-Thc organs of the Know
Nothings are commenting, in tone between whine
and growl upon the late election of University trus
tees. The complaint is that the Democratic MEM
bers of the Legislature have met in caucus to select
men who would be worthy of the trust reposed in
them. They seem to have succeeded in doing so,
for the talents and characters of the Democratic
minees unmpeached. 1t is the manner, not the
result, of the election that is growled at. 1t is true
there was time when a caucus to choose trustees
for the University was Unnecessary; but then the
the OPP nents of the Democratic party were men
who tere bound together by principles mot oaths
men who could trust to each others honor, without
desc .raun the Gospels by pledge, which is need-'
l>s with an honest and useless with dishonest man
mel who, however they differ, upon minor points
of policy, were true Southern rights and neither
fawned upon nor abetted wealthy leaders who are
more than suspected of bartering the interests of
their country to morbid desire of revenge upon po-
litical opponents.
But CIRCUMSTANCES alter cases. in times like the
present. when opposed by an organization, whoaYe
OF at least were bound deny acknowledge their
party as it suits their interest. strict scrutiny
/. was necessary to prevent the sworn bonds-mcn OF
secret council converting the Board Of Trustees ~.
to an inquisition f worth talents, but OF po-
ltical bigotss 70 guard the University from bogus
AmericapiSln was the object. That thepla adopted
has succeeded may be inferred from the display OF
weeping and gnashiBg Of teeth" var. Ns'a 8;