The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-04
sNO1 BOUND.


Perilous Ride Over the Pacific Railroads.
Seventeen Days from San francisco to This
City.
The many accounts that have reached us OF the
the difficulties OF travel upon the Central Pacific ana
Union Pacific Railroads seem 70 nave been not at all
Overstated. From q passenger who has just made
the journey from San Francisco we have received
full particulars of the condition Of the two roads and
the difficulty of making progress thereon through
the immense drifts OF snow that for number OF
weeks have rendered the roads almost impossible.
The party OF which our informant composed one
left San Francisco the 10th OF January and made
the usual progress until they reached COfax, dis
lance from the above city or 1872 miles. Here
THE FIRST SNOW
was met with, although not in sufficient quantities
to materially impede their progress. Little deten.
ton was experienced until the party reached Rock
Creek where immense piles OF snow were found,
and the train was obliged to come 10 full stop.
Twenty-fOur hours were consumed in going to Wyo.
ming, distance OF few miles, while not more
than lfty miles ahead the track was comparatively
clear. Upon reaching Laramie the snow piles had
become so high and dense that 1t was
IMPOSSIBLE 10 make further progress. and the
snow-bound passengers were compelled to
wait six days before the track could be
cleared sufficiently TO warrant resumption OF the
journey. At Laramie the thermometer indicated
thirty degrees below Zero and the passengers were
nearly all obliged to remain In the cars, which were
heated Sy STEAM to prevent Deg roze now as
made 1t very difficult to keep the fires IN the en-.
gnes lighted and the position or the engineer was
at times almost periOus.
THE sNOw-BOUND PASSENGERS,
however, devised various means OF amusement 70
vile away the tedious hours. Glee cubs were Or
ganized, various games INDUCED In, while
q number Of the tougher ones bundled
up clearing the ack
the passengers. being typos, went asnore."
mite IN getting out their sheets The subscribers
weren astonished at the improved appearance OF
their and many M S Tee wsa s ne
winter. Cine adventurous individual started OUT
In search OF sleigh. He found the residence OF
tho livery stable keeper, as ne supposed, and was
very cordially received. Upon stating the nature
OF his visit he surprised to he politely SHOWN
the door and Informed that the owner OF the house
did not traffic In horses, but minister Of the
| Gospel. Upon returning to the train and relating
| hiring o horse and sleigh were made IN that
town. While at Laramie the passengers Jared very
with two meals a day. This was done al the ex-
pense Of the railroad company, who furnished
'TICKETs FOR SOUP"
they were called TO all so unfortunate as 10 DC
passengers the snOw-bound tram. AT night they
slept in the palace cars and made themselves Us
| comfortable as circumstances would permit. VI
course there were many macontents on the train
Some INDUCED IN launching Invecllves at the CON-
1 roa not me Of
sleet that they must expect TO encounter
in so exposed country during the win
ter months. Others threatened to sue the
company for damages. The majority, however,
took the detention good-naturedy and joined IN
the general endcav0r to make the time pass as
pleasantly as possible. At length, at the close OF
the sixth day, the welcome Intelligence was re-
ceived that the track was sufficiently clear to war.
rant continuation of the journey. thousands Of
men had been at work breaking the crust OF the
snow, which the intense cold had rendered an
almost impenetrable mass, while four powerful en-
glnes followed them, showing an Immense snow
plough that threw the snow
THIRTY OR FORTY FEET IN THE AIR.
BY these means the track was cleared to Shers
man, from which point to Omaha very Ut
tie detention was experienced. The trip
was a long and tedious one, caused,
In the estimation OF those VINO made
It, by the negligence Of the company In not prOvid.
ing sufficient projection 10 the track against heavy
falls OF snow. This could easily be DONE as the dis
lance where the principal detentlons take place s
not more than sixty miles. The snow sheds seemed
to be but little protection as the nigh winds drive
the snow In at either end, thereby completely I'M
peding the progress of the TRAINS Eviden Wy some
| thing must be done 10y the Pacific Railroad com
panes to prevent similar detenOns, else their roads
VIII be stunned In the future by the travelling pub
lie VINO are obliged to make the journey To Callfor
MIA during the season OF SHOWS.