The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-22
SLICK AND SLIPPERY.
THE pERILs OF ICE COVERED SIDE.
WALKS.
The Danger of Ceilars Being Flooded
by a Rain nom the Clicked Condition
OF the Street Gutters--They Must Be
Cleaned Out.

Yesterday was about as cold and slip
perry day as Memphians have expert
enced in years. The rain which fell stead
ly nearly all Friday night on the mixed
NOV and sleet, gave II an icy covering as
slick as glass. The pedestrian who was
without oveshoes and not very sure
footed yenturcd forth at his peril. Indeed,
many fell by the waysidc, for walking was
never more risky or falling easier. The
sidewalks were abandoned on man,
streets and people took TO the center
Of the car tracks, which had been rough
ened by the car mules and the sweeping
machine. Even sleighing, which has been
INDUCED in with 20 much pleasure for the
past few days, was practically stopped, as
Il was hardly possible for horses to keep
their footing on the slippery surface. For
the same reason drayagc was very much
impcded; in fact hut little was attempted.
On the open street this condition OF things
was scarcely 10 be avoided, but on the
sidewalks II could easily have been OBJ
waited. II the residents IN this city were
compelled 10 clean OF their sidewalks like
they are In other cities, there would
be none Of this risking having
ones neck OF limbs broken when
they necessarily have TO 20 about
the city. IL matters not how cold the
weather gets, or what kind Of unwelcome
covering the heavens shower upon II, peo-
Pile must live and therefore must work. In
most cities the ordinance that snow. sleet
and ice must be cleared from in front OF
each residents house by O'Clock Ia rigid
~ enforced. No excuses are taken, and
neglect Us followed by arrest and a heavy
fine. II the landlord does not feel like
taking little healthiul exercise with a
good old fashioned spade or shovel, there
are hundreds Of poor men and boys who
are willing and viii do Il for him, either
for breakfast or a trining sum. Work
would be given TO great many people In
this way that would keep them from being
objects Of charity such weather ~ this.
when they can get nothing 10 do. There
arr hundreds of men who make living
through the winter by shovcling snow
from the sidewalks snow
shovelers. On one occasion, n sultry Au.
gust day In Cincinnati, when the thor
mometer stood NJ about 1907 in the shade
big, burly, red faced lrishman was ar
raigned in the police court for agrancy
The Judge was sweliering from the FUN,
and heat Of the crowded courtroom
and was dispaiching the docket ms rapidly
a. possible in order 10 escape 10 n more
comfortable place. When Il came the
1rishman's turn TO stand mp and get hi.
dose for being worthless, the Judge asked
him what his business was, and how he
made living. oyer homer" Eaid the
prisoner, "Tma professional snow shoyeler
] never had any oihcrbusiness. My home
n In Chicago"
''IIow wish ior the beautiful snow thi,
kind Of weather." said the court. "l'l
give you two hours IN start from this town
20 Kamschatka, where You can follow your
profession all the year round, and out the
vng started.
Not until theriiy Il sued and forced 20
pay heavy damages 10 one or mon Of IT,
citizens who have fallen ON its poorly
paved and uncarcd for sidewalks and In.
luncd themselves severely or for life will
Il awake 10 the necessity 81 enforcing the
ordinances 81 this kind, which are made r.
be strictly observed In all well regulated
cities. In the event ol ilsturning warmer
and should heavy rain suddenly got In
the city " threatened with a danger tina
would work great Inconvenience and dam
age. II lics IN this The cutters along al
the streets arc chokcd aud frozen 10 tht
cnrlr With the compact snow aud ice
The falling rain would How over this ans
Hood the cellars. The amount Of damag,
that this would entail 30 largo business
houses, aud even 10 smaller ones ant
dwellings, would be- great. This Is q mat
Ter that cannot be- attended 90 too quickly
for rain u most likely b. follow change
from this cold spell