Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-01-06
THE COLD SNAP.
Prospects Of a Tkaw---SltuatIon at the
RlVer---RspOrted Gorge at Ran.
dOIph.


After five days Of unusually severe
weather for this latitude there promises Il
be a let-up this afternoon and tonight
with cloudy weather and perhaps snsv
here and farther south, so at least say the
indications sent from Washington by sig.
nal service kilograms early this morning
and indications nearly always hit it; in
fact they never miss. The indications re-
port the thermometer % this morning al
Shreveport, La, s fall of 90 since yester.
day morning there; also from 80 to 24'
along the Gulf coast, with winds north.
west and blowing briskly from 16 to "a
miles per hour at various points. The
n%ortherly wiads are blowing all over the
country, but a change to the southwest
will occur this afternoon, and u warmer
temperature is promised wherever the
changes occur.
The present cold snap has been general
throughout the country. During its prev.
Olence business has been almost suspended
in all directions. With the temperature
ranging between 90 and 500 as it has here
since Wednesday Of last week, warm
blooded Southern people have no DISPOSE
ton to stroll about. They prefer to sit
snugly before a warm fire; and farther
north the intensity of the cold compels the
same idle course. To be sure, crowds Of
ourpeople ventured forth, warmly mufled,
yesterday, when streaks of sunshine broke
through the clouds overhead, and ven
tured to the river front to view the bleak
and dreary prospect there presented. A
few minutes suficed for the majority, es-
pecially the feminine branch, the chilly
air causing speedy numbneSs in every
limb, and making all take a hasty leaving.
The river, full of heavy floating ice as
it is, affords a view not before witnessed
here for two years. 1t grinds hard against
the few water-craft at the landing, and is
especially tough on the aatboats moored
at the lower landing. All yesterday drays
were at work to tighten BENEFITS Aatboat
OF its potato cargo, 50 that the gunwales,
instead Of the thinner plank above, would
catch the saving ice-cakes as they glided
past. This is the only boat as yet reported
to have been threatened with injury. Two
years ago, during our last severe freeze.
the floating ice set in against the islands
above the city and the lower landing was
comparatively unsafe for flats. 1t has
changed this winter and now the heavy
ice floats clear of the islands to set in
the present latboat landing. The
tiatboat people, believing the latter would
be the safest, had their entire feet brought
before the freeze.
The transfer ferryboat continued to
make her regular trip for the Little Rock
railroad this morning, but her passage ac-
cross was slow and difficult.
News receiyedhe this forenoon was that
river has gorged at Randolph, sixty
above the city. 1t this proves true,
it is believed to be reliable, we will be
likely to have open water from here South
by tomorrow.
AT CALVARY CHURCH
last night the musical ceremonies were
announced as a compliment to Prof. Per
ring, for several years past the organist of
church. The Professor has recently
accepted a position at the new college of
music in Cincinnati, and he takes his de-
from among us on Wednesday
next.
The church was crowded to its full
capacity, many seeking admittance were
turned away, being unable to And room to
crowd their way in. The venerable pas
tor, George White, oficiated at the chan
eel in the regular evening services, and
The musical portion of the programme was
.nterspersed with it.
The exercises, both musical and other
wise, went off smoothly and to the entire
satisfaction Of all present. Those partici-
pating in the choir we're Messrs. Kirkland,
Gage, Petersen, Legler, Hilton, Mrs.
and Mrs. Czapski, Miss McClel-
Miss Jennie Jones. Tine programme
was rendered as printed yesterday.