The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-01-16
Correspondence baltimore County Union
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
An Old Fashioned Snow Storm and Ac-
companying Cold-Baltimore Street
in Ye Olden Time, &c., &c.

in Ye Olden Time, &c., &c.
BALTIMORE, January 18th, 1885.
Messrs. Editors The last four days have been
and will be for some time to come, regular period
of snow blockade to almost everything. The
feecy element-called in poetic lines the "Beau-
tifnl Snow" wrongly named think-fe all over
Maryland and some other States North, South.
East and West, to the depth of five to ten inches
on level and drifting at certain places as high
as four, five and ten feet, accompanied in many
pcints-even down South-by very unusually
cold wave and hard freezing, which still continues
up to the present time, though it is clear and "Old
Sol" holding command in the upper clements
People generally who were prepared to foot sx-
penses, both city and country, have taken advan-
tage of what comes so seldom and been out day
and night enjoying themselves sleighing. The
jingling of bells was truly inspiridng. I may
say, however, what the poet describes as the
beautiful Snow" is anything else than either in
spirting or beautiful to those who have passed
the days of coasting or sleighing. They would
rather ensconce themselves in the house by
warm, comfortable fire and let those who indulge
in it enjoy the fun. We, however, must take
things as they come. Every dog will have his day,
and so in our climate we are obliged to take the
seasons as they are. All things considered it is
well, provided we have plenty of snow, an even
winter and genial opening of spring, it serves
to make good crops for the farmer, and that is
what he desires. l am not surprised, therefore,
to hear of his giving welcome to plenty of snow
and that he INDUCES in sleghng.
The snow storm has been especially severe upon
railroads in all directions. The Western Mary
land all along its line and especially on the noun
tains, has had great trouble, being blocked up
most annoyingly. So also the Maryland Central
and indeed all other railways, but l am glad to
say they have now nearly recovered therefrom.
1t has also been heavy weather in the Chesapeake
bay and at sea, doing much damage to vessels,
causing many disasters and lives to be lost. 1t
has been perhaps the heaviest snow storm we have
had here for many years. Thawing has not yet
set in, though Probabilities tell there is warn
wave coming. This, when it does come, MY
prove still more disagreeable than the cold ad
snow. We generally experience these changes,f
weather about New Years-either floods or snow.
I remember only few days ago remarkng hw
mild, balmy and beautiful it was both lat
Christmas and New Years day. They proved
be weather breeders. We have nearly two monts
yet of winter let us be prepared for the worst
Business of every description has been much il
terrupted, but this should be looked for. VI
generally have two or three SHOWS in quick su,
cession when they once begin. So may it be O
this occasion.
I remember very well when Baltimore stree
from one end to the other, in times past, was th
great place for sleighing. Then there
city railway cars 10 interrupt, anu IN deep SNOW
the coast was clear. Nearly every one who cou
muster a team, from donkeys up to maguificer
horses, was out with his sleigh and appeared
Baltimore street, filing it from one end to th
other, and thousands on the side walks or stree
corners to see the sleighers and their teams. !
was perfect carnival and hardly anything els
done or thought of. Millionaires and those NOR
impecunious were on the same plane and each en-
tered into the amusement or pleasure alike. Al
OF rSY1iu o1 ip1a n
to be the choicest kind of fun, even if the unfor
tunate slcighers were somewhat hurt. 1 remem-
Der seeing fellow, with some companions, having
two good-szed pigs hitched in sled in the crowd,
but his team ran off and spilled him out in the
snow. He and his partners got up, shook thor
selves, retired to the side walk and let the hos
go, having had enough such amusement for ore
day. Nearly the whole street was given up o
sleighers. 1t was altogether fashionable in thoe
days to be perfectly Independent. There is D
such amusement now. ExGov. Bowie, his sa,
his city cars, together with the carts, carriage,
wagons, &C., take up the whole street and scarcey
a sleigh is to be seen there. Those who enjy
sleigh-riding in comfort and in earnest must o
to the outskirts of the city if they wish to havoa
good time and enjoy the amusement Then b.
timore had only about one hundred thousand j.
habitants. Now she has-suburbs and all-pro-
ablyfive six hundred thousand souls. Tho,
too, we were more rural, less absorbed in bushes
necesstated to chose the almighty dollar. 70
enjoyed our fun.
The Legislature, it is said, will again re- elet
Mr.. German as U. S. Senator for six more yeas
after his present term expires There seems har-
ly doubt but Mr.. George Cotton will again e
chosen as chief of the Police Board. He has c.
tainy made useful and most excellent officer
He is liked on all sides and thoroughly unde
stands his business.
Mayor Hodges is now busiy preparing h
message. 1t will be looked to with much interes.
The people want him to suggest some means b
which they can be saved from future floods by tb
overlooking of Jones' Falls. direct him +,
"Nestors" letter in The UNION of last week.
There are now over 5000 subscribers to tb
Pratt Free Circulating Library. The subscribers
are not asked to give money but merely to observe
the rules of the institute.
The cold weather and freezing have bursted
hundreds of water pipes all over the city, especial
ly in new sections, and given an immense trouble
and annoyance. Our plumbers are all busy and
cannot half do the required work.
1t is hoped Postmaster Veazey will be able to
procure Sunday delivery-once q day-by the
city carriers. 1t is as much needed as the run
ming OF the Sunday cars, and as much opposed by
pious people, but the community requires to be
accommodated and must be.
A very gratifying announcement is the fact that
the old gas company has agreed, from the first of
next month, to reduce the price of gas to 81 per
1000 feet. The belief is the new company will
do the same in a short time, soon as it begins to
supply our citizens. Let both concerns do this in
real faith, not to be changed one or the other
be monopolized, and people will have more conf
dence in them. NEsToR.