New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-02
VHE SNOW IN THE SIERRAS
BLOCKADE BRoKEN-PIoNEERS DEAD
GRIPPEn-THEATRICAL
tBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rslBUSE.I

IBr TELEGRAPH TO TIKI TRIBUNEJ
San Francisco, Feb 1.-An Calfornians have
rejoiced for the last two days over the sunshine
that has followed fortnight of constant rain, and
over the breaking of the big snow blockade in the
Sierras that lasted just sixteen days and nearly
paralyzed trade throughout the State The hope
of clearing away the snow on the Central racine
was deferred every day by some fresh ana IN
foreseen obstacle that made sick the hearts OF
the people and the railway officials. Every
feature of the blockade was unprecedented, and
finally it began to look as though the westbound
trains would have to be returned by the SOUTH
ern route But the big ploughs and the army OF
shoveers finally prevailed, and trains began NOV
ing in face of the storm.
II is wellnigh impossible for Eastern readers TO
comprehend the situation in the Sierras during one
of these great snow blockades. There is no rail-
road in the world which has such obstacles to
contend with This stretch of road, which climbs
over the summit of the Sierra Nevada, 1000 feet
above sea-level, is about 100 miles long. Every
mile of this distance is exposed to snowdrifts ana
ayalanches About onc-quarter Of the distance
is rooted over by snowsheds. A half-dozen OF one
most powerful locomotives in the world are useu
to propel huge rotary SNOW plough through the
big drifts, while score of smaller pioughs aio
running through the lesser drifts. during 'hi'
blockade 5000 men were employed for neatly a
fortnight shovelling snow from the sizes VI Uie
track and clearing out tunnels ana sheus i"'
nlaces where the worst blockades occurred range
in altitude from $500 to nearly 5000 1eeV ABOVE
sea-level: vet none Of these points, "here 0no
snow lies twenty feet deep on the leVei' are "oio
than seventy miles from the foothills "heie 'is
grass is now green and oranges ana lemons 'i0
hanging on the trees. ,,,
1t was natural that the delayed passengers eho"iu
be restless under their confinement In the oreary
snow hound region: but most of them ADMIT thao
,be railroad company did everything possible
IN clear the blockade which cost the company
the enornous sum of 1915, 900 every day IL lasted
The company fought against great ODDS, as ap-
sence and sickness had reduced the force one
half and the few prominent ofnclais III Chis oi'S
who were able to work could not leave 'heir
desks. Superintendent Wright of Sacramento
did NOT have his clothes off for over week, While
manv of the engineers and fremen remained al
their posts until they dropped from fatigue Inc
road is not yet out of danger. but the delaSeo
freight will be rushed through rapidly oclore
another big storm comes. The oregon roau ID
in a fearful condition from land-slldes ana snow
drifts. and it will probably be fortnight before
it sopened.
A broad grin overspread the faces OF Cah-
fornians when they read that the Mexican Mill
lister at Washington had protested against tne
statement made by Governor Waterman that ne
believed the people of Lower California wanted
TO be annexed to the United States. Waterman
opinion here is held in such slight esteem that IL
was in the nature of joke to suppose thai ms
words would have weight elsewhere: lie 1onoly
imagines he will be reelected; butt since the uays
of old Bigler, California has never had SO incon-
petent Governor as Waterman, and he Will DIS
cover his unpopularty when the next convention
meets.
The grippe" still hangs on to San Francisco
Among the prominent men VINO nave peeH he
Young, proprietor of The Chronicle, VINO nau =
complication of pneumonia and gastric FEVER anu
was dangerously i'll for several days. lie is now
randy recovering. The deaths this week have
run up to 2Os, the largest number on record Al
the stores and offices are still short-handeo' De-
cause Of the influenza victims.
This week has been fatal to the pioneers
Among the deaths are those of James R. Bolton
merchant and capitalist, who came here from
New-York in 40; Alexander H. TODD pioneer
Archibald WATSON, prominent in the National
Guard of California, and the old pilot VINO served
in the Tai Ping rebellion, and alterwaro was
marine reporter here for generation, and Cap
TAIN ] M Keller, Provost-Marshal OF oregon
n. Y. ~
The real estate firm of McAlester d Jones
was attached this week by the bank OF Donahue,
Kelly & Co., for loan of $4,000: Other
attasbments followed, making $4,000 in all:
The firm did a good business, and had charge OF
a number of trust estates; but careless manage
ment and the extravaganza OF young partner
brought about the failure. McAlesters property,
consisting of unencumbered real estate, was trans
ferred TO his wife recently, while Jones Is
gilded youth with little gold; so that the chance
for the creditors is slender
Prentice Milford a well-known writer and an
old Californian, is here on brief visit
Roland Reed has had big success at the
California Theatre this week. with ID. d. Lloyds
bright comedy THE Woman Halter" The
comedian had luck, as he was belated only one
day on the Southern train; while the Shenan-
doahn company did not reach here until yester-
day. They open at the Baldwin next Monday.
The sale of boxes and season tickets for the
Patti Opera season amounted to $4,000, which
is considerably less than was realized at the
sale two years ago. Single seats in the orchestra
and dress circle are 81. Los Angeles is the ideal
CITY in the eyes of opera singers An audience
there one night this week waited until quarter OF
eleven for the arrival of the Emma Juch com
pany which was delayed by an accident on the
Southern Pacific Railroad.
----.-----~.
THEY WANT TO BE ACTRESSES.
BESSIE Magee the girl who escaped from an inst-
,,,+ior in Cambridge Mass on Monday arrested