The Portland daily press., 1888-03-15


rear of the train. All went well until Pine
Point was reached but as the snow plow
came up to the depot, which is on the right
hand side of the track going out, the snow
was pushed against the platform with such
force that it threw the plow off the track.
The rails were torn up, and the point OF the
plow went under the rails Of the track to the
left, tearing them from the sleeperS and
breaking the platform beyond into splinters.
The pillow was turned end for end with the
point toward the train, so that half OF the
cab of the second engine was taken OIL and
the mouldings on the sides Of all the cars on
the train were torn off and the panels more
or less scratched, so that it will be necessary
to send every car and the engine to the re-
pair shop. All this was done in twinkle
and In lie ss time than it takes to tell it the
whole train was off the track. The train
men were not dismayed, however, and
through the indifatigable efforts Of Parlor
Car Conductor Littlefeld the entire train,
except the snow plow and the fiange scraper,
were got on the iron again and run ON to
West Biddeford, where the way was found
blocked with one passenger and two freight
trains. 1t was O'Clock in the afternoon be-
fore the blockade was broken and trains en-
abled to move on.
At 10 O'Clock a. IN. the wrecking train in
charge of Mr.. Geo. Miller arrived at Pine
Point, and the men were set at work repair
ing the track. The top of the snow plow
was broken X, hut The WhssiiSS- were rlsats
so that it was put on the track and hauled
back to the city. Probably no man on the
Boston and Maine road will clear up a track
quicker than Mr.. Miller, and in less than two
hours from the time when he arrived at Pine
Point the track was repaired. the hange
scraper and the snow plow On the track, and
the wrecking train started from the scene OF
the disaster en- route to this city. The men
worked like beavers, however, until thetrack
was repaired.
At about the time the wreeking train
reached Pine Point, an accident took place
on the Eastern Division, away up at Elliot.
The $50 and the o'clock trains from Boston
to Portland on this division coupled and
came down together. On reaching Elliot
snow drifts were encountered as high as the
top Of the cars. and in trying TO run through
them the snow pl0w and one engine left tee
iron. The train men tried in vain to get them
on again, and at last the wrecking train from
Portsmouth, in charge of Mr.. Furgerson, was
sent for. All through the afternoon and un-
til 10 o'clock at night the men worked, before
the engine and snow plow were got on the
track and the blockade broken. To add to
these difficulties the wires we're blown down
and at times it was impossible at headquar-
ters to tell where on the road the trains were.
other Remarkable Storms.
There is recorded a snow storm on March
2 and 3, 1902, when the snow fell to depth
Of more than four feet on level. This
storm was accompanied by acontinuous tenn
pest and a universal embargo Of the inhabit-
ants of New England for several days.
Iu 1921, ON the 18th of April, there was an
other storm memorable for its blockade and
the destructive freshets caused by long and
copious rains. which began when the snow
ceased falling.
In 1912 and there were many severe snow
storms, which were very trying to the old
stage lines. and the railroads just beginning
to operate in Maine.
1861 was remarkable for two snow storms
in Southern New England. On the 21st and
22d Of March Of that year. large quantity
Of snow fell in the streets Of Boston that
stopped the cars on the Metropolitan horse
railroad from the 21st to the 27th of the
month. On the I'd and Sd Of April of that
year. a thirty-six hours snow storm deposit
ed two feet of snow in Boston. so that they
had sleighing on the 4th Of April, which
was fast day in Massachusetts. Here is
list Of the notable storms in Portland for the
last twenty years, which occurred late in the
season:
March 21, 1S67-T0ughest snow storm Of the
season. Horse cars stopped running.
April q, 1S68-Heavy gale and snow. Sleigh
April 10, is6s-Another, with mercury at 24o.
May 8, IS6S-Thick snow storm all the fore
noon. Mercury $40.
March n, is7l-Fiye inches snow. Good
March 81, is7a-slx inches snow. Good sleigh
April l2, 1873 showed all night and up to
noon April IA, but being warm and windy It
melted fast and only three or tour inches accuIn-
May 8. 1s73-Thlck snow all the forenoon. Mer-
April 10. 1s74-six inches of snow. Mercury
$50 at noon. A few sleghs out.
April 26, 1574-Heavy snow storm began the
night before and lasted until IL a. m. Over six
iuches came.
April and 5, 1s76-Heaviest storm Of the
winter About foot came and badly drifted.
March 30 1S81-Heayy gale and snow storm
set in at 7.30 p. m, and continued all the next
day. Six inches OF heavy damp snow fell MOST
of the telephone and fire alarm wires were pros
trated.
April 15, 1ssI-very heavy gale and snow.
Wind 80 miles. Mercury 32o.
March 80 1SS4-Heavy gale and cold. Mercury
1So. but only an inch of snow.
April 8, l8s4-snowed four inches the night be-
fore and sleighs were out.
Il l2SE-HaaVV
Showed the 7th and Sth.
April 2, 1887-Very heavy snow and high gale.
Railroads blocked.
Trouble In Bridgton-
RRIDGToN March 14-The snow fall in