Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-27
ELECTRIC SNAKES.
Curious Effects of the Late
Storm in the East.
Crossed Wires Changed Into
Kissing Fiery Serpents.
Nearly All Wires Down from Boston
to Washington.
Great Loss to Telegraph Companies.
Ships in New York Harbor Prs-
sent'a Strange Appearance.
Associated Press Dispatchea.

ADSOG1AteO rIe1b OlBUdCCno1s .frs
New York, Jan. 26.-Yesterday's
storm was by far the worst that the tele-
graph companies here ever had to deal
with. An idea of the wreckage may be
gathered from the fact that out Of fifteen
hundred wires running into this city the
Western Union had but three wires
working this morning. The others, with
many Of the poles, lie beside the
railway tracks. across fields and
in trees. The Postal Telegraph
company 4 had not one wire
working out from the city, while the
Metropolitan Telegraph and Telephone
company estimates that 250O of its wires
were laid low. The total damage to the
companies named will not be far from
half million dollars. Two weeks un-
ceasing effort will be required to get the
wires back into the condition which ex-
listed before the storm. In New York city
proper, the mum ber Of wires down is
roughly estimated at 45OO, and the poles
down at 250. In addition to the forest
of poles strewn about the streets, as
many more were hanging in dangerous
condition. Immense gangs Of men were
buey all day removing the snow and
wreck.
8 1t was impossible to report any incom-
ing vessels from the Highlands or
Sandy Hook, as not only were
the wires down, but heavy veil
of mist hung over the bay. The steam
ships La Britagne and Aurania came in
this morning encrusted in snow and
ice. They were due yesterday, but
owing to the severity of the storm were
compelled to slacken their speed. AS
far as could be seen from the barge Of
fee today the bay was 'strewn with yes
sells with their rigging and canvas
coated with ice.
The damage done to the telegraph and
telephone service in Brooklyn Is esti-
mated at $3.50 900.
The Jersey City Gre alarm system xas'
rendered useless. The New York sto6k'
exchange was completely ent az from.
all quarters, but London and bear
traders had great fun in hammering
everything in sight.
Advices from Seagrit, Asbury Park,
Long Branch and other points, report
great damage along the Jersey coast.
The surf cut into the bluff and
beach at many points. Houses
were unroofed and all wires
blown down. So far as can be learned,
no vessels are ashore, although several
have been seen in distress outside.
At 10 o'clock tonight the Western
Union reported fifteen wires to the west,
a gain Of twelve since morning. There
is no communication yet with Philadel-
phia, Washington or southern points.
BosToN, Jan. 26.-The storm in this
city Yesterday completely demoralized
the fire alarm telegraph. and the entire
force of firemen patrolled the city all
night~ The telegraph, telephone and
electric light companies also suffered
heavy losses. The same condition of
affairs is reported from several other
points in nNewEngland. Fall River reports
that the Sound boats had hard time,
but arrived safely. At Manchester, N.
H., the storm lasted nine hours, fifteen
inches of snow falling. Nashua, N. H., 4
reports the worst storm of the season,
with twelve inches of snow, obstructing
travel.
WILMINGTON, DEL, Jan. 26.--Nothing
definite has been heard from Delaware
breakwater today, regarding the proba-
BILE damage to shipping at that point.
All OF Delaware south Of Wilmington is
still cut off from commercial commune
cation. Between Wilmington and Kirk
wood nearly fifty poles are down.
BELvIDERE, N. j., Jan. 26. - The J
storm was very severe all through
Northern New Jersey. All telegraphic
and telephone communication is cut off
and railroad trains delayed. In some
parts Of this county the snow fall was
very heavy.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, Jan. 26.-Y Yester-
day g storm was very severe throughout
this section of the state. Telegraph,
telephone and electric light wires are
down in all directions and communica-
ton interrupted. In the country much
damage was done by snow breaking
down trees, crushing barn roofs, etc.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. rs. The telegraph
situation in this state is not much inn
proved over that of last night. The
storm was particularly destructive in
the section oi country between Philadel-
phia and Harrisburg. Many telegraph
poles are down or blown out of position.
Very few trains can be run without
wires, and these at great risk.
Z NEWARK, N. j., Jan. 26.-The loss to
the various companies using poles and
wires in Newark, by the effects OF Sum
days storm, is estimated at $3.50, 900.
More than one hundred poles were PROS
trated, and the entire telegraph, tele-
phone and municipal signal sys-.
TENS rendered useless. A big
electric light wire at Broad and Market