Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-24
TIE SNOW MELTING.
UNLESS THE THAW IS GRADUAL
THERE WILL BE a FRSSHET.
The leo on James River Nearly q Foot
Thick-rwo White Men Nearly
Frozen TO DEATH. -

Yesterday was the warmest day Rich
monders have enjoyed for nearly month,
and all traces of the tenacious cold wave
disappeared before the mild rays of the
sun. which shOne merriy down on the
dirty snow and mud. Tne Thermometer
registered ~ degrees az 5 in the afternoon.
As far as the weather was concerned. the
dav was beautiful. but. regarding 1t from
pedestrians standpoint. II was hideous.
Walking was indescrbably miserable, and
the melting snow caused water 70 drlp H.
csSSantlv from the hOusetOps. Slush pre-
dominated almost everywhere, ana It's az
scnce was invariably marked by the
presence Of mud. On Nam street the con-
dIuon Of Things was particularly bad.
Maikways were covered with black,
silny mud. which bespattered shoes ana
clothing and made the public feel that
soap and water were absolutely essential
10 the welfare ot mankind.
THE STREETS yERY DIRTY.
Ten strokes of a good broom IN front OF
each store would have removed the sticky
substance. but no one thought of that.
Every body maiIGncd the existing condl-.
ton Of things. and no one sought to I'M
prove II.
The ctty carts were engaged for several
hours IN taking UP the snow which bad
accumulated M the gutter- of Main street,
and they al least, helped to remove an
eyesOre. On nearly all the large buildings
people were engaged IN shOyeilnE snow
nom the hpusetops. for the frozen vipor
melted rapidly and caused constant leak
age of pipes and roofs. Many houses VIII
have 10 undergo repairs. as the weight OF
the snow has caused considerable damage
10 cutters. pipes, and pl0ster.ng.
Although the thawing was general, the
river T. still rgid with ice, which IS AZ
least fourteen inches thick. 1t Will take
several days OF warm weather % loosen
tins.
DRIVING Across TIE RIVER.
Yesterday persons could walk across the
stream as heretofore. ana the condition
OF things prevails a. other points along
the river. A. Coungton, Clifton Forge.
Columbia, GordOu-yilie. Scottsyille. and
Huntington the weather was considerably
warmer and the thawing was general. IL
did not affect the James. however. and at
Soottsyillc and Columbia persons could
drive thor teams across the stream.
Many upprchend "a serious frcshct when
the SHOWS IN the mountains commence
melting hu; # the IIvcr remains frozen
for any length OF tine tins trouble may be
aVcitcd.
TWO WHITE NRS BADLY gROsTBlTTEN.
'Souire TrlschkorE. Of HenricO county,
received III .ormdtlon yesterday afternoon
that TWO white men named Taylor Law
rr-co ADD Koberi Graves had been badly
frost-bltten NJ Lilo St1ti0n. on the Chesa-
loake and ONO RAJ WY. As both OF the
sufferers were in q destitute cOnC1tlon the
Justice had them brought e. this city q
few hours later. DR.. Cnaikicy made an
examination Of the injuries Of the men
and found that they had been seriously
elected bv the cold. 1t wlli be Necessary
20 amputate portions Of Graves : tcet,
while several of Iawrcncc'S toes Will have
to bee removed.
The unfortunate men are both from New
Yorh State. Ihev told Squire Frschkorn
that the lett Richmond SATURDAY. and IA
ports New. Al flko Station they
stoned IN a litia negro cabin and at
tempted 10 warm themselves bv the IRE,
when they started 10 continue their weary
Journey they discovered that they could not
move and were taken to a blacksmith
snop in the nolghUorhood. They were
sent from this place To- Richmond and the
Ch+sapcake and Ohio railway furnished
transportation.
'~olIire Iri,chkorn met the sufferers at
Orleans street, AMI had them removed 10
the county courthouse. He dld all IN his
power 10 minister To the comfort of tho |
unfortunat, men. lie was compelled 10 |
enter charge of vagrancy against Graves |
and Lawrence. They were lucarcerated IN |
the Jail, but made ae comfortable as posi- |
bic. Commonweath's Attorney Sands |
will probably take steps for then relief to-
day.