The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-01-24
THE SOLID SOUTH
TROZEN IN THE ARMS OF THE
GREATEST BLIZZARD KNOWN.
The Whole Country from the Lakes to Flor
ida Wrapped In Mantle OF Snow.
Traffic Generally Retarded, Etc.

There has not been within the memory OF
the present generation such protracted
blizzard as that which has swept the United
States during the past two weeks. far-
ticuarly in the south, which is generally ex-
empt from such yiSitations, Jack frost mas
broken all previous records and set at de
fance all predictions of the weather bureaus
The great snow storm which swept the
country on Tuesday and Wednesday was
the grand finale of the programme. Even
the oldest inhabitant had to get out his al
MANAGES to help him remember when there
had been such suow III Georgia before,
and then he was not right certain about
1t. at any rate such weather had not been
seen since before the war, when the planta-
tons used to lie knee deep in the snow and
the darkes used to come scraping their
feet at the back steps for a drink or to get
holiday for rabbit hunting.
The storm was general. Snow fell as far
south as Mobile and Savannah, and further
north it was a regular blizzard. All over
north Georgia and Alabama 1t was several
inches deep and the roads were well night
impossible. The rivers were frozen SOLID
and navigation Practically suspended AT
Nashville the Cumberland was frozen all
the way across. The Ohio at Louisville sup
ported wagons ana saloons were punt max
way across for the accommodation OF thirsty
pilgrims. Heavily loaded wagons crossed
the Mississippi at St. Louis Oh the ice.
1t was little better further south. In
Georgia creeks and rivers were frozen as
far south as Macon, and IN the latter clty
there was good sleighing At Rome the river
was frozen for the first time since 1891,
and snow fell over fourteen inches deep.
There was sleigh riding il Savannah Tor
the first time in fifty years. Up Ia the noun
tains the cold was most intense. reports
from Murphy, \. c., Indicate that the ther-
mometer registered 20 degrees below zero
on Wednesday.
The suffering throughout the country has,
doubtless, been great. In Atlanta meeting
Of citizens was called on Wednesday morn
ing, while the storm was raging, for the
purpose of organizing for the relief OF the
poor Committees were appointed to can
yass the city and an appeal for contributions
was made. The evening papers got out
epecial editions and by niGhtfall over tive
Thousand dollars had been raised. The
w&rk was energetically pushed ali night
and before Thursday night there was not
family in the city which could justly com
plain Of lack Of attention. Many families,
who depend on odd jobs for q precarious
living We're utterly deprived Of gaining
support by the storm and would have suf-
fered badly but Tor the prompt relief WhicA
was given.
There has. without doubt, been much suf-
fering throughout the country, particularly
in sections where there has been no pro-
viding against such weather, and when the
thaw is over there will probably be many
sad stories Of want TO tell.
Traffic has been generally interrupted,
both on land and water. Country roads
were blocked ana the ice effectually stopped
the steamboats,. The railroads experienced
Il good deal OF Inconvenience at first from
the snow drifts, there were snow plows
within hundreds Of miles, but the tracks were
soon cleared and the passenger trains moved
with approximate regularity. The freights
got the worst of it and were tied up all
through the country.
The backbone of the cold snap was broker
Thursday, when genera! thaw set in. There
is much apprehension on the rivers that
steamboats, will suffer when the ice breaks
up. Taken altogether, this section has not
seen such weather siaae So aud y is no.
pf0ba bic tnat the so'ICl vii De 9lSired again
soon by such Il storm The blizzard will be
G memorable one, and the winter will, doubt
less, be used to date events from and will
pass into history as the memorable cold spell
Of 1893