Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-01-22
TELEGRAPHIC TUMBLE.
NEW YORK SHUT OFF FROM C0MMU-
kICATI0N ASIN THE DAYS OF OLD.
Terrific Storm in the East-Telegraph
Wires Broken by Weight Of the
Ice and Poles Prostratedby
the Heavy Gale.
GENERAL HAVOC BY WIND AND RAIN.
TIE sTORM.

ElDio WlnuS-AuCu DBmaSo D0uo.
NEW YORK, January 2l.-Tbe storm
OF hail and rain which broke over this
city this morning, originated in the
Northwest and has moved eastward
across the country. The officer in charge
Of the Signal Service station said this
morning that the storm would probably
pass over this city sometime this after.
noon and be followed this evening by
clearing, cooler weather. Up to noon
to-day the total amount OF water which
had fallen was one inch and q few frac-
tions. Sergeant Guionett said
that he could not give
the exact figures, because they
had formed so heavily at the sides OF the
1auge that no definite figure could be
given. The ice had also formed 50
heavily upon the wires connected with
the wind gauge that they broke under
the weight. Up 10 o'clock this morn
ing the greatest velocity OF the wind wss
about thirty miles an hour. but the
wind continued TO increase in force, and
at noon to-day it was blowing at the
rate OF forty miles an hour. The storm
signal displayed from the flag staff OF the
Equitable building was torn TO shreds
by the fierce wind, and il became neces.
sary 10 substitute new one. The flag
poles swayed to and fro, and while the
reporter was in the office oi the weather
bureau, the ice, which had formed upon
the flag staff, fell upon the roof with
startling crash. The storm has caused
an entire suspension OF te!egraphic
communication throughout the coun.
try. The wires OF the Gold and Stock
Telegraph Company were interrupted
everywhere. Along Canal street great
many poles are prostrated by the weight
OF the ice forming on the wires, and
about ten o'clock this morning an officer
OF the First Precinct reported that a
number OF poles on South street had
been blown down. At the Office OF the
manager Of this system OF telegraphv,
81 Broadway, il WAS stated that the
wires were out OF order everywhere, and
very few Of the wires were in working
order up to nine O'Clock this morning.
The wires were in working con-
dition in all parts OF the city,
but at that hour the accumulation
OF ice on them became so heavy that
they began TO break, and from that time
up to 2 o'clock this afternoon continu.
GUS reports of broken wires and inter
rupted circuits were received at the
Office OF the superintendent. Soon after
8 o'clock this morning one Of the der
ricks on the new Stock Exchange Was
blown over by the wind and fell into
Bread street, carrying away In its fall
about twenty-five wires OF the Stock
Exchange system OF telegraphy. At the
office OF the Superintendent OF the West.
ern Union telegraph company, 1t was
said that very few OF the wires
OF the company had been broken,
but that the greatest trouble was caused
by the wires Of other companies falling
across their wires. thus interrupting
communications. In the upper part OF
the city, however, many OF the telegraph
poles had fallen under the weight of the
ice and the heavy wind, and communi-
cation with stations outside OF the city
is almost entirely shut of. The Super.
intendant said that no attempt would be
made TO repair the damages until the
storm ceased, as the wires were broken
and interrupted everywhere. A great
loss to the Telegraph Companies will be
caused by the interruption OF business.
A large number OF sign-bbards, tele-
graph poles and wires were blown down
all over the city, but up 10 noon to-day
no serious calamity had been reported.
The streets are in most deplorable
condition. The sidewalks on both sides
OF Beaver street, from Broadway TO
William street, are covered with water
measuring in depth from one inch 10
foot. Many OF the culverts were blocked
with ice and snow, and at many oil the
crossings il was impossible TO cross the
street without wading nearly knee deep.
The hands on the clocks on III churches
and other public building. were stop.
ped by the accumulation OF Ice.
The storm was accompanied by an un.
usual high tide. which backed up and
ran into the cellars OF the river front.
All kilograms have had TO he sent TO
Philadelphis by railroad and there for
warded by telegraph.
New YORK, January 2l.-The storm
played havoc among the vessels lying
Ia the North and East rivers; damage
heavy. A heavy squall threw the ship
"Sachem" Oh her side, when she took
fire and was partially destroyed.
CHICAGO, January 2l.-O~ing 10 the
heavy sleet which seems TO have ex-
tended from Philadelphia northvard
along the coast into New England, and
for 200 miles west, no reports are re-.
ceived from the East, the wires being
broken and unit for business. There
is not q single wire 10 New York mp,
only one wire from Pittsburgh 70 Balti.
more, and the latter city is sending all
telegraph business through TO SewYork
by train.