Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-01-14
sgl.tED LETTER.
Givtag an teesant er Mtd.wiater
seenes on she skagit River.

Givtag an teesant 0r Mtd.wiater
seenes On che skagit River.
EDITOR Pssr-IsrgLLIsKsoza
Avos, December 30, 1884.
The weather has bean very severe up
here ON the river for more than three
weeks- was informed that one night
the mercury went down TO zero, and
several other nights think we're Just as
cold. SNOW 10 on the ground now 10 the
depth Of ten or twelve inches, and has
been since the first snow, which cane
about two weeks ago. The supply has
been kept up bY constantly saowinQ
every day or two. No melting Of the
snow has been going on, only settling
and eyaporating by the intense cold,
antil several days ago q shaw COM
snenced, and thought We should soon
be rid Of the "beautifal SNOW bat Is Is
clear and cold again. Last night WAS
"a clear as bell. not a breath OF air
ess stirring. aRd the moon vas shining
beautifully. l went oxt and looked
around aud i did not think ] ever saw
o mora lovely sight In MY life. Tie
trees and bushes beautifully freaeoed
with snow, and the ground and other
things covered with Is TO the depth Of
tsn or twelve inches, glisteninx spotless
ia sha silver ahesn 10 q sight grand
eHouQh 20 entrance any one. The Jew
els Of .Golconda" sink into utter in
signifieance By the side Of this Twas
mot permitted 10 enjoy the SCENE very
LONG at q time, for the cold nistht air
seat q chill through me 10 remiad me
that bad been ont long enough.
The river hss been bioskaded up with
ice for nearly three weeks, but do not
think any one has been sbls TO cross
over the ice on foot, anywhere above
Ms. Vernon. heard Of several At
tsrrpts, and in one case came near end
ing seriously. But for pole which the
man had In his hand ~ the time, he
woal6 doubtless have gone under. SkaRit
river does not freeze over 40 great many
people suppose. Fed BY melting SHOWS
and It's vaisFs, during the winter always,
near the freezing point and mot many
degrees abovo IN the summer, almost
any ons would conclude that Il woald be
very sssy to freeze over, bot such Is pot
the case. The turbulence OF the water
viii not ailew IL 10 freeze over IN the nat
ural way. Hugh up the river 10 where
the Ice comes froD that makes ell the
trouble. After q very cold night this
Ice comes down in immense Quantities
and continues 20 run during the cold
weather. Il comes down IN the shape
Of Goat iSe OF % some call u up acre.
- mash ice.n Seeing IL floating down
the river, Il lsoks a. thsuGh u Il might
be hard blocks Of lee, bat tt Ia NOT, % 10 .
conUiomerate mass Of shale tce. with
bnt little density. A paddle can be
thrust through Il without meeting with
a great deal Of resistencs. Mush ice"
.a~au. = t.s,ws .s s,s..,.4 q, s7aa NJ A A avv
explanation that I can give. The cold
81 the weather the greater ths amount Of
fioea ice that goes down the river. tbs
lower portion Of the river being very
much cbetFnceed by jams usskss tt i'm
possible for the aoasing ics. when run
ning In large quantities, % pass out 20
sea. The consequences 10 that u blocks
M the passaQe and than the rivef 10 MI =
ed ap for miles With this ics, and Jack
frust osunenss 10 together, and 10 ts
Il. Ii shuts ~ ouf ffem aHy communioa-
IT,. MAI.
LArnn-The weather has continued
intensely cold and the ics On the Ska9fs
has become 90 solia THAI crosxin9 on
foos i attended vita no danger vhatey-
e.. ksIisve shat . wagon and team
eouid aro4s a. easily wishoei RAINING
any rssk. Ths ins b covered uith snsw
ana persuu IN crossing can hardly rea-
iixe that the great Sksait roils beneath. J
Ths night Of the 2ath Of Decembsr Vas
probably the coidest thai has hseD
known here for tWo pears. The merco-
~ vent desn 10 . bsiow Eero
I. j. MAI.