Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-03
LOCAL NEWS.
Extraordinary Cold Weather.


The sudden and severe change in the weather
which commenced here yesterday afternoon. is
almost unprecedented, there being a fan of
over thirty degrees in the thermometer In few
hours. The minimum temperature last night
was 81 degrees below zero. as recorded in front
OF Eempler'S store, near the corner OF - street
and Pennsylvania avenue, by registering ther-
mometerS. To-day severe cold and biting winds
recall the memorable 4th OF March when Gen
Grant was inaugurated President tie second
time.
There is much suffering among the poor who
are scantlily clothed and fed. and with a scanti-
ty OF fuel. The night lodging house was crowded
with this class last night, and probably some
lives were undoubtedly saved by the establish
ment OF this charity. Besides this, many sought
shelter In the station houses to keep from freez-
Ing. The Police COUlt cells this morning could
not be kept warm, and the prisoners had 10 be
let out alternately into the corridor Where they
were permitted 10 warm themselves by the
stoves. The thermometer was placed In the
cells and in a few minutes She mercury ran
down TO about 80 degrees. something should be
done by the authorities TO warm these cells.
Judge Smell sent a note 10 the District Commis-
slonelS this morning abont the matter.
on THE RIVER
the status OF Affairs Is about the same The
channel Is frozen over completely. and no pas
sage for boats can be made at ali. River men
report that some tug-boatS came up as far as
Alexandria yesterday morning, which is the
last communication held by boat below that
point. The Ice is reported TO have fO.med quite
boats are all more or less injured by the ice
some OF them having been cut through on their
hulls. Eight oyster boats have been frozen in
at QuanticO, and are transferring their cargoes
by rail to this city. The river steamers and
those on the Norfolk line have been consider
ably injured by the ice, especially those which
which laid by early are in the best condition,
and have avoided trouble and cost thereby.
River craft are reported frozen in the ice all the
way down TO Cedar Point.
q
To-Day at many places about the city. five and
SIX inches thick, and the prospect is that
large quantity will be saved, as many carts and
horses are employed nlling private ice-houses.
THE TRAINS ARE ALL DELAYED
in consequence OF the cold and snow. The
western train which brought the delegation OF
lnalans, [ltes, due at O'Clock last night, did
not arrive until 10 O'Clock, and the Richmond
train was half and hour behind time The rail-
roads throughout fhe north and west are re-
ported BLOCK AIDED more or less, and the mails
ale necessarily Irregular. Most OF the trains
to-day were 80 minutes or more late. owing TO
the high w1IdS, and some were hours behind
time.
quite number f sign boards have been
down. and the fag-pole at Drivers corner OF
~ street, was snapped of by the wind about
colored man. The wind caused a perceptible
vibration OF the Metropolitan church Steeple at
the corner OF c and \ streets, which could be
OF it. The wind also threw the telephone wires
out OF gear. and there were numerous crossings
rendering the apparatus useless for time.
PROGRESS OF THE COLD WAVE
ne cold wave has not only STRUCK us but
MS afternoon seems TO have settled down 10
STAY Whlle. Since the 4th OF March. 1873 as
stated above, there has not been such biting
WHO III Cur Wide streets, and neither then nor
at any remembered time was there such rapid
lall OF The mercury, nor so low Temperature
marked. Humanity compelled 10 face the keen
Wild moved briskly about. The present cold
wave comes from the west. Ii began ia MInne-
sofa, and has Travelled rapidly TO the east The
signal o1fcers offer no immediate hope OF a sub
s,uance OF the wave, out venture the pre- iction
that it viii not get any colder which. although
rather cold, comfort is comforting
CcLD COMFORT PROM THE WEST
The reports from the west received az the
signal Office. are that extreme cold stu pre-
Wallis: In ST. Paul the mercury is down ID nine-
teen below zero, and In nearly all the western
cities, although not marked with such a decree
Of cold. 1t IS ranging from five TO ten degrees
below. In Ohio and Illinois trains are hock
AIDED, snow storm having prevailed ia the
western section OF The country YESTERDAY.