Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-04
A DRIVING SNOW.
A DAY OF ROUGH WEATHER.

seven lncneS but IN the mountains il
was far heavier. twas foretold by the
weather bureau, and began about A A.
NJ. and continsed in steady but not
generally heavy descent until la.s last
night. 1t was accompanied by wind
setting mainly from the northwest, but
at times cutting and capering around
from all the points Of the compass at
once. The snow drifted badly in places.
The temperature fell considerably, but
did not show intense cold, though those
Who had to face the storm for from ten
To twenty minutes at a time suffered
sharply. Business OF nearly ali sorts
was seriously interrupted and the streets
we're almost deserted. Only those upon
whom the pressure Of important bust
ness fell cared 10 venture or. into the
Arctic blasts.
STRUGGLING sTREET-CARs.
The street-car company distinguished
themselves by the activity Fl their ex-
er,ions to keep their tracks in passable
condition. They ran their snow-plow,
drawn by eight or ten horses. over the
line several times, and then harnessed
four horses to each car but as the
day wore on and the snow persistently
fell the trips were made with more
and more difficulty, and at night the
cars had to be hauled off altogether.
Two of the Manchester cars, drawn
each by four mulss, combat.ed the
snowy situation unta about 3 p. ~,
and then yielded to the obstacles which
they could not overcome.
RAILROAD TRAINS.
Reports from the lines of all the
railroad companies are that the snow
fall is greatly interfering with tie
movement Of trains.
THE STORM IN THE COUNTRY.
From information received at the
Office Of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railway Company up to $50 o'clock
last night the Stow at Nswport's
News was about an inch in depth and
was still falling at Williamsburg it
was about three inches deep and badly
drifted /; at Gordonsville it was about
eighteen, and from twenty to twenty
four inches deep between Charlottes-
vile and Clifton Forge. At the hour
named very little snow was falling
west Of Richmond.
HISTORICAL SHOWS.
The greatest snow remembered by Vir.
GINA people fell Sunday, January l.,
ISL. q" 1t was, without exaggeration,
terribly severe. and carried dlsmay and
forebodings to the hearts OF those who
were at allexposed to its rigor." The
average depth was estimated at from
twelve TO fourteen inches, but in many
places il had drifted to the depth OF
i've or six feet. while in other places
the ground was bare, all snow having
been blown from it.
March /. $50. snow fell here to the
depth OF j. OF II inches. and there
were seventeen SHOWS here that winter
and spring; none, however, attended
with the severity OF the weather that
characterized the eyer.tO-be-remem-
beIed snow Of l,jG
January l. lS777, there vas a snow
fall Of from 6 to : inches, and it stayed
On the ground about a week. during
which time there was the finest sleigh
ing ever known in Richmond. The
Richmond Press Club appeared on the
streets in a boat mounted on runners,
decorated with flags Of all nations, and
drawn by four fine horses.
January 9 and 10, 1853, snow fell 10
the depth Of u to Is inches. This
came from the South-from Florida aud
eyond.
SHOW YOCR ENTERPRISE.
There are hundreds of idle men in
Richmond, and they might be well en-
ployed to-day by interested parties in
clearing the snow from roofs Of houses
and from the sidewalks, while the city
authorities should show their enterprise
by putting all their street force to work
clearing the street crossings. The
walks in the Capitol Square and the
steps of the Capitol should also receive
prompt attention.
In all these matters our people are
much slower in action than they ought
70 be. 1t is to the advantage Of all
who walk our streets and thorough
fares 10 have pathways opened without
delay. A little work contributed By
every householder and storekeeper will
soon dispose Of the snow 50 far as Pc
destiiaAs are concerned. Judging by
tie spirit shown by the stTeet-car COM
psny yesterday they will lose nc time
in sweeping .heir tracks clean, so as TO
run their cars on the usual schedule.
This is the weather that forces people
to ride, and the cars will have fine
patronage if they can but run.
The Snow Elsewhere.
STANTON, VA, February THE
heaviest snow Of the season fell here
to day. At ) O'Clock. when it stopped
showing, the ground was covered to an
average depth Of eighteen inches. AL
trains are delayed.
HARRIsONBURG, VA, February 3.
The heaviest snow-storm since 1857
began az O'Clock this morning, and
ali day in binding clouds.
1t is now eighteen inches deep on the
level, and drifted from six to ten feet.
Travel on county roads is almost i'm
possible. West-bound trains were two
hours late. The mercury is IL degrees
above zero.
WAsHINGToN, February Snow
began falling here about 3 o'clock this
morning. This evening the depth
'anges from eight inches on the level in
sheltered spots to drifts of enormous
ize.
GALVESTON, February 3.-Meagre
from North Texas up 10
Midnight last night reports a heavy
nOw-storm prevailing over the Indian
Territory, and extending south and
vest into Texas. At Eufaula station,
N the Missouri Pacific railroad, midway |
Iorth and south in the Indian Nation, |
he snow was five inches deep. At |