The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-03-21
THE WORST YET.
The Northwest Experiences An
other Blizzard.
NOT A GOOD COUNTRY TO LIVE IN

CHICAGO, March 19.-In the face OF fair
weather probabilities from Washington, one of
the fiercest storms of the season began here
about daybreak. Rain quickly turned to snow
accompanied by furious gale, and in few
hours the streets were almost impossible.
Yesterday they remained in such bad condi-
ton from previous storms that the Common
Council made special appropriation of $15,-
600 to clean them, work to be begun today.
This has to be postponed until the storm is
over Traffic in the city is terribly embar-
raised.
The snow is of very heavy character, and
snow plows on the street railroads with six
horses make little Roadway in keeping the
tracks clear. The extent of the storm is not
known here yet, as it interferes with telegraph
ic communication in all directions, but the
worst trouble is in the west and south. By
noon about five inches of snow had fallen and
in spite of the fierce wind lies upon the streets
and pavements like so much ice. The street
cars have abandoned the tracks, leaving the
snow plows to continue the fight. In the city
there is great interruption in telephone and
district telegraph business The wires look
like two-inch ropes with their heavy coating
of snow. Inquiry at the railroad offices shows
that the storm is not very severe in the north,
but extended west as far as Omaha, south to
st. Louis and Kansas City, and east on the
Pittsburg and Fort Wayne as far as Crestline.
Railroad men say there will undoubtedly be
great delays if the storm continues much
longer, as it is of the most dangerous charaet-
ter of the season.
At II p IN. the worst of the storm was about
over. tug sent out to keep field of ice
from colliding with the crib in the lake did
not reach It, and it has not been heard from.
Another tug was unable to get out of the river
into the lake on account of tie ice. Th miss
ing tug had seven men on board entirely with
out provisions. 1t has probably been carried
into the lake. The railroads are badly inter-
rupted.
MILWAUKEE, March 19.-The storm today is
the severest of the entire season. A very high
wind prevails and the snow is very heavy, and
all railroad trains are blocked and the street
car lines and business generally are suspend
ed.
MADISON, March ia severe snow storm
with a brisk northeast wind set in this morn
reported north Of here, but the storm extends
generally through the southern portion of the
State.
QUINCY March 19.-The severest snow storm
of the season began lass night and up to noon
at lea st foot had fallen, badly drifted. Bust
ness is almost entirely suspended.
CHICAGO, March 2O.-Tug o. B. Green,
which was reported lost last night in the ice
field, was sighted this afternoon about four
miles from the shore. All attempts to rescue
her by tugs have been abandoned. A daring
tugman named Belkhauser started over the
Ice towards ner, dragging DOaC III which ne
had four days provisions He was making
fair progress when last seen, but just before
nightfall snow storm came up and he was
lost sight of. 1t is now clear, but neither the
Green nor single rescuer has been seen since
dark. 1t is hoped Belkhauser will reach the
tug tonight for the crew has already been So
hours without food.
Trains blocked by yesterdays storm have
been slowly reaching the city today and to-
night 1t was afternoon before any of the
street car companies had any of their tracks
sufficiently cleared to run cars and on some
lines no cars have been run yet. Telegraph
wires are not all in order yet, but it is know n
that the blockade is general in Iowa, southern
Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Eastern
trains suffered less delay than those from the
west.
Dispatches from many points throughout
the northwest indicate that the storm Of yes
terday was by far the most severe of the sea-
son, the snow fall being from IL to IS inches.
The snow is heavy, damp, closely packed and
in many places drifted badly. A long freight
blockade and the impossibility of making
shipments forces the continued suspension Of
all the mills and factories and creates serious
stagnation in business throughout the north
west. A fuel famine prevails in many local
tiles.