The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-17
THE VERY COLD WAVE.
THE THERMOMETER BELOW ZERO
IN EVERY Part or THE CITY.
undoubtedly the Most Severe Spell of
weather Seen in Richmond for Many
Nears-The Mercury.

The grip OF icy fingers were closed
down with Hce-like power in the I'VE
sma hours Of yesterday morning. aud
this fair South land was visited with an
arctic atmosphere. the like OF which WAS
utyer known before.
Few appreciated the intensity OF tho
cold until the thermometer was consulted
Dry air, clear sky and bright sun all
tended 20 the impression OF a pleasant
day. until the shrunSen mercury in its
little crystal tube showed the frigidity
q the morning.
The old inhabitant, who was heretofore
willing TO acknowledge that IL was very
cold. but not quite so cold as I'm 1857. has
now taken seat in the chimney corner.
with his feet in the ashes, and made an
unconditional surrender.
Reports from every direction Indicate
that the weather was OF unusual severity
and the conditions such as had never been
experienced by most people before in their
lives.
1t was the first time in Richmond that
the hoar frost. so dreaded by arctic eX-
porers. was ever seen. Street-car horses
were covered wherever the hair was long
with white veil Of this frost, which
formed from their breath and mems
nous aches were frozen stiff with few
minutes exposure.
Every thing in the way Of water that
could freeze was already frozen. and no
note could be taken OF the effect of the
cold I'm that particular. but it doubtless
bound yet flrmer the letters OF adamant
which hold with death-like grip the navi-
gable streams OF this State and sec
ton.
Thermometer readings from large
number Of places We're secured by The
Times, and the result shows Uniform
low temperature quite remarkable Tor
!his climate. The temperature after IL
o'clock fell at the rate OF three degrees
An hour up TO A. NJ when il reached
Us minimum. The figures given were
taken between the hours Of and yes
terday morning and indicate the tempera-
tur- below zero In each case
Barton Heights. Is degrees; Chestnut
Hin. Il degrees: Ashland, Is degrees; Bon
Air. 16 degrees. Fairmont, on Mechanics
Vile pike. Is degrees; Manchester, IL de-
grees. Laurel. ~ degrees.
The reports from the various railroad
lines were of a similar character At
Cane Charles the thermometer was re-
ported at zero. and the bay frozen for
n mile or more towards the ocean. At
Newport News and Norfolk like condi-
lions existed Inc report from the west
Hinton, degrees above zero; Hunting
ton. zero. Clifton Forge. zero; Lynchburg,
\ degrees below; Staunton, zero; Gordons-
VILE degrees below.
The average readings from numerous
points IN the city was thirteen degrees be-
low zero. They ranged from five 10 four
teen degrees below zero.
From the reports received elsewhere
IL appears that Richmond received the
lions share OF the cold wave.
There must naturally be much suffer
ing in a city like Richmond during such
n time. but the Department Of Public
Charities have furnished both food and
fuel where application has been made.
and no unusual amount Of calls have been
reported.
Much inconvenience was suffered last
night by the freezing of the gas pipes
Wherever they are exposed they have
become frosted. and the gas refused
70 burn. Lamps and candles were in great
demand.
The intensity Of the cold has reduced
the amount of sleiGhing, although the
coalition OF the streets could not be let
ter. IL takes much warmth Of enthusiasm
as we'll as wraps TO face a strong breeze
with the thermometer twenty degrees
below freezing, and the air full of ice
particles Wherever the fee has been
cleaned Of the STOW, however, skaters
cor gregate and the number increases in
this sport rather than dimnlshes
The pumps at the water works are
working favorably, Notwithstanding the
threatening ice at the forebays, and the
steam pump was at work yesterday for
a short time. Without extraordinary
waste the water supply is in no danger Of
failing
Another danger threatens our city, how
ever, which in case Of a large fire would
prove a great calamity. The intense cold |
has frozen a large number Of the fire
plugs so that no water can be drawn from
them.
Last night the temperature went down |
again very rapidly after shutdown, and |
an midnight registered ten degrees above |
zero.