The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-12
THE GREAT COLD SNAP OF 1859.

LIE U0EA1 CUxO ONAE VE 1o0S.
SN~~~~~.~~.>>>~~~>>~~~>~
Continuation OF the Intense Cold Weather.
Last OF the Coolest Days-Enects ofthe Cold
ON the Drivers-A Chapter or Accidents
Ice I'm the Rivers-A Pleasant Prospect
Ahead for Navigation, &c., &c.
The cold snap which commenced on Monday morning
last viii long be remembered In this vicinity as being the
most severely cold Of any experienced by the present
generation Of Now Yorkers, and hereafter when com
PARSONS made the cold weather Of the 10th and llh
Of January 1852 will be quoted the mos. severe ever
known Manhattan Island Certain 1t is that no one
recall such fearfnly cold weather in or near New
York; in fact too cold for the description Of tner
mometers in vogue among u.s. very few Of which have
any provision for recording less temperature than zero.
From all accounts the weather out Of the city was
unprecedented in the way Of cold as was in the city,
and from the Canadas the Gulf Mexico such terrible
temperature has not been experienced in twenty
It is little curou' that NJ Babinet, noted French
savant predicted last fall that this winter would be
suay He also predicted that the cold would be
especially severe in January, owing to the prevalence Of
icy winds, which he said would blow from the north dur
ing the month Of January will be recollected that
tain French savans foreold the mild character Of last
winter this continent, owing to DETECTION of the Gulf
stream, which IL was said noted. II may be that
these predictions only lucky guesses; but it is
certain that they were made. As yet, meteorological
science furnish precise data upon which changes
in the weather be predicated, but it is not mposs
bic that in the Of time such data will be given
but until that time weather prophets will stand but little
chance Of honor in their own or any other country.
The fearful cold of Monday continued all through Mon
day night, and il is known that the mercury as low
eleven degrees below Zero and much colder exposed
places. At sunrise yesterday it was six degrees below
andit dualiv the
was sixteen degrees above zero at P. NJ yesterday,
with clouded sky and prospect Of snow storm at no
distant day In this latitude storms are very rare
during extreme cold weather. but very Likely TO take
place when the cold moderaes There slight fall Of
snow yesterday but 1t soon stopped though 1t looked
threatening last night.
The city yesterday looked dismal enough very few fe
males 10 be seen and those who venturcd out were
mufled up as to be undstngushabe from the serner
SEX except in their huge circumference were there
many men out compared with other Gays, as all who
could stayed doors awaiting more proptious state Of
the temperature snow storm and fine weather sue
ceedng after this cold spell would be the signal for most
hilarious carnival on the part OF citizens after the
chill and restraint Of the last two days.
So far the navigation Of the river has not been subject
much interruption, but from this time out may ex
pect to hear Of much trouble, yesterday immense
masses of ice made their appearance in the North
In the East river the floating ice comes with great
rapdty Up Governors Island the river was almost
entirely bdged, and should the weather continue to be
very cold would not be strange people should be able
TO walk from Brooklyn, not only 70 the island but
much difficulty in getting across but the prospect for TO-
day quite oinous. The South ferry boats have con
siderable trouble in making their trps as do the Hamilton
avenue, Jersey city and Staten Island boats.
In addition to the woman who was found frozen to
death Sunday night, there were quite number Of
other casualties from this extreme cold weather. the chief
sufferers, Of course being the omnibus and city railroad
drivers who have protection whatever against the
stage driver named Golden Of the Houston street and
line OF stages nearly frozen TO death on
Monday forenoon He arrived with his team at the ter
nap1tt linn nj n
all but iDsepsibe. He was taken from the box. and on
the application of proper remedies recovered sufficiently
10 DC taken home where he now lies in acrtcal condition
A driver the Eighth avenue railroad line, named
Decker, discovered about nine O'Clock on Monday
Vious as TO what he was doing. He, however, knew
enough 10 stand 10 his post and hold the rens. On his
conalion being discovered he taken inside the
ana tie conductor took bis place BIS condition very
precaricrs yesterday. f..is-.
Tbs dr.str mentioned IN yesterday HERALD who was
taken from his box opposite the House.
cd yesterday II that Of the passengers wanted
20 get Of the omnibus al Barclay Street and pulled the
strap or that purpose, but the driver paid attention to
il, and tue omnibus kept Not knowing what was the
matter the passenger cut the strap and let himself out,
and On looking up at the driver saw that the poor fellow
was insensibe. He thefeuron STOPPED the horses and
had him taken from his box In little whie after the
OF proper resoratves, he recovered and
able TO proceed on his journey.
y driver named Webb Of the Seventh avenue stages,
was also taken from his box badly rozen and two OF the
Drivers on the Sixth avenue were compelled 10 give up
work on account OF their feet and hands being frost
bitten.
Anewsboy went board Of the Fulton ferry boats
about dusk on Monday evening, when he became nsens
bic rom the cold. The passengers took him to n warm
place and BY chatting his limbs and applying resoraves
be recovered sufficiently TO 60 home alone although his
feet and BngeFs We're much injured.
Nor were men the only sufferers. In Brooklyn man
who had been driving horse rapidly, left him standing
without blanket while he went in to make some pur
chases in store: when he out the horse so
tened by the cold that he had to be rubbed down before
be could move.
woman named Anne Meyers died at the Fourth
precinct station house Monday night from the effects of
exposure and inemperance. Coroner Jackman held
inquest on the body.
Two young g5 Of prepossessing appearance appeared
before Justice Kelly at the Jefferson Market Police Court
yesterday and preferred charge Of assault and battery
against their landady Mrs. Vere Of No. Vandam street.
They stated that because they unable to pay their
rent Mrs We're took away their furniture, their bed
floor for four nights with other protection against
ncemency Of the weather than the bare clothes upon
their backs The magistrate issued warrant for the ap
4 IRE occurred in a butchers shop in Wiloughby
street. in Brooklyn, on Monday night, causing little
damage but several Of the fremen npped by the
frost Mr. Henry Smith, the assistant foreman of Truck
No l. had one Of his hands so badly frozen that it is
feared be will lose two Of his ingeRs
Henry Johnson the driver OF coal cart in BROOKLYN
fell from his vehcelas evening in Joraemon street. and
was conveyed to the First precinct station house in
nCarly,dpse nsble state.
The drivers of the Brooklyn railroad cars suffered con-
sideraby on Monday. and several have been disabled
lromdolovng Their occupation, for the present. at least
one onhe Myrtle avenue line had his feet frozen so bad
~ that il is ieared lie viii lose the use of them Another
had his hands frost bitten In order keep their blood
10 circulation The drivers along with the cars when
tie opportunity occurred and thus kept themselves
comfortable as circumstance would permit.
Henry Ganson, sailor, native of Providence, r. l. at
'eohed TO ee snip Messenger Bird Just arrived both
his hands badly frozen on the coast He will probably
lose The use OF them dc sent 10 the City Hospital
On Monday vehicle was seen passing very fast
pace IN front of Furman & Co.'S distilery in Williams
burg, the driver OF which sat otoness appeared 10
be incapable Of guiding his horse The horse stopped
and onnd that the had been frozen into nsen
shiihy ihe usual appliances being resored 70, he
restored TO animation.
On Monday night officer Van DYKE Of the Fifth precinct
Of Brooklyn, was found by the Sergeant so benumbei
With tbe cold as to he unable TO walk taken the
station house When was found that his feet frozen
He has 50 iar recovered as TO be able 10 do duty.
Several officers experienced similar injuries Monday
night ron exposure TO the intense cold
The cc-boat Atlantic, built for the purpose, put
into reputation yesterday morning, in order TO keep the
river IL navigable order by breaking up the ice.
We annex table Of the codost days eighteen years
PAST from which viii be seen that the cold spell of Mon
day vas by far the most severe within that time