The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-16
snowEp IN ON THE ROAD.

Rough Experience of Train-Load of Pas
sengsrs Near Princeton junction.
TRENTON N. j., March 15.-The terrible
snow-storm which struck this city and vicinity
On Sunday night is unprecedented for damage
done and serious annoyance caused. The city
was completely isolated from the outside world
for two days. No word could be received nor
sent over telegraphic wires, and railroad COM
munieation was entirely cut off, business was
suspended because the streets were impossible,
and none OF the horse-car lines were running.
1t was a strange experience for city which has
such admirable railroad facilities. The last
train which started out of this city for New
York on Monday morning was stopped
by an immense drift. fifteen feet deep,
and about a mile from Princeton Junction. The
train was obliged to stay from o'clock Monday
afternoon until IL o'clock yesterday morning.
when a relief party succeeded in getting the
hungry and half-frozen passengers back to Tren-
ton. The experiences of the travellers were
fearful During two nights they were obliged
to walk up and down through the to keep
from freezing. Fires were kept burning in the
stoves, Init the wind blew fercely that they
did not warm the cars. Several Of the men at
tempted to walk to Princeton Junction, half a
mile. and nearly persisted IN drifts. They re-
turned to the train with great diff
fculty and decided to await their
rescue with all the patience at their command.
Many of those who were brought to Trenton had
their ears and feet badly frozen. While on the
train they had provisions until Tuesday
morning, when some farmers brought sand
wiches and asked so cents piece for them. The
drifts entirely covered the cars The relief
party were from o'clock In the evening until
the following morning in completing their task.
They had four locomotives to .heir train, and
even then IL was almost impossible to force their
way through the drifts. Once they got stuck
themselves. and extra engine was sent from
Trenton. The water in the locomotives gave
out. aud were forced to throw snow into
the tanks to keep sufficient water in the boilers
to- reach Trenton. The drifts in
many places q mile in length,
and from twelve to fifteen feet high On Monday
night and Tuesday morning several trains
which had been delayed at Tullytown and Bria-
toll. on the Pennsylvania road, were drawn into
Trenton The PASSENGERS had spent many
hours with neither food sleep, and
nearly famished. They were at once sent to no.
tells IN the city and provided for ct the expense
of the company. All passengers were cared for
in this wav, and last night the hotels were
crowded that it was difficult to get any kind of
accommodation. Some of the trains which were
snow bound at Bristol did not arrive here until
yesterday. All had suffered more or less from
cold and hunger. On some Of the trains only
crackers and water could be procured, and
dav or more Ths railroad dS
everything i'll its power to get trains
through, but the wind blew sa hard that as fast
as they cleared the way III Would MI 10 again
Not till yesterday afternoon did any Philadel-
phia trains get through bearing mails and few
newspapers. The latter sold at a premium,
bringing in some instances as high as IS cents
each.
The Philadelphia & Reading road is terribly
blockaded also The Legislature has not been
in session this week, the iirst time such thing
has occurred in the history of the State. On
Tuesday there were only three members pres
tent, and few more arrived yesterday on morn
eng trains from South Jersey. Reports from all
BsectioDs of the State, which begin to come in
slowly. show that the country roads entirely
filed up and travel is next to impossibility.
Milkmen ana produce dealers were unable TO
get into the city for two days