Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-01-28
SNOW BOUND.
The Train That Was Caught In the
Drift East Of Dodge.

On TRAIN, Jan. %, 1856.
To The Editor of the Eagle:
Tuesday, January 18th. 1856, at 4 p. m,
our train, consisting Of six coaches and q
sleeper, came to stand six miles east OF
Dodge City, which were drawn by four
massive engines. The two front engines
were almost buried in the snow by the force
of the otheI two. In trying to free the
train the second engine was separated from,
its tender, which rendered all further at
tempts entirely useless. We then began to
fully realize our condition. At II p. IN. a
terrific wind raised, blowing the snow, fill
ing the cuts, which badly buried our train.
Next morning-Wednesda us in
good spirits, even to mothers with their in
FAINT babes, and prospects for being freed
were good, as force of 200 men with four
engines and two snow-plows, headed by
Supt. II. r. Nickersen, Train Master Woods
and S1pt. of Water Service McGowen, from
the east, and large force from Dodge and
four engines arrived. ALI was encouraging
until about p. M, when a black cloud arose
in the north. and a strong wind which soon
reflled the cuts with snow again in spite OF
the deepest efforts of 800 or 400 men to free
the train, who had worked night and day
for thirty-six hours, during which time
many of the men frcze their hands and feet
When work was temporarily suspended,
and as darkness came on, most
of the passengers, eighty in number,
began to feel very gloomy, and in spite Of
cheer them up with their songs, speeches
and encouraging words. those of US who
more fully realized the situation, felt great
anxiety to be back to our homes. Thurs
day morning the sun arose bright, and we
were again hopeful but the day past and
found us in the same place, and about sun
set the wind again arose and increased to a
terrific gale, lasting all night, filling the air
with snow and drifting il in upon us worse
than ever, finding its way in the cars through
every crevice. The night was spent in en-
deavoring to keep it out, and making the
women and children comfortable as possible.
Friday morning, until noon, the weather re-
manned exceedingly cold. In the afternoon
nearly all the women and children were
transferred to Dodge City in covered wag-
ons. Provisions and coal are being hauled
to those of us remaining, about forty in
number by an OK team.
At p. m. Saturday evening, prospects
for our speedy release are again good, as
about 400 men are at work between
here and Dodge-on either side of us there
are twelve engines and four snow plows
badly showed in, four or five are dead and
abandoned by our faithful engineers. Three
of the balance are nearly so. Two much
praise cannot be bestowed upon Superinten-
dent II. r. Nickerson; train master, Woods.
and the 400 men who have worked so faith
fully both day and night tor our release.
Sunday, 6 p. m, January oath, just ar
rived in Dodge.
We, the undersigned hereby tender our
sincere thanks to Superintendent Nickerson,
train master, Woods; Cowan, residen,
engineer; Earl, conductor, Bender, brake
man, O. Roke and Askenbabuh; baggage
master, Mccall, also to express messenger
mail clerks and all employees for their un-
ceasing and never tireing efforts they have
manifested for our comfort and happiness
while lodged in = snow bank six miles east
Of Dodge City on the A., T. & S. F. train,