Connecticut western news., 1895-02-14
THE BLIZZARD.

ulieS. 1IaSb Wcck $ ullLL uu Cofctcu four times as much area as the blizzard of 1888 and furthermore the tempera- ture was lower and of longer duration, yet the quantity of snow that fell was less. Last week there remained scarce ly spot east of the Rocky mountains untouched by the blizzard. Zero weather extended as far south as Atlanta and Memphis and the fret zing point prevailed throughout the country with the exception of Key West. Railroad trains were tied up, partially or wholly, or almost every line east of the Missis- sippi Numerous accidents occurred to snow stalled trains, and many vessels were wrecked on the coasts. The loss of life was great and the suffer;ngs and privations can never be told.
 The blizzard struck Canaan on Thurs day evening. Snow began falling about o'clock and fell almost continuously until Saturday afternoon. The mercury rapged from zero to eight below and the wind blew gale, piling the snow into great drifts aud demoralizing the railroads. It is estimated that at least two feet of snow fell on level. The first and only train on the Housatonic road to reach Canaan Friday forenoon was the express from Pittsfield for New York. It was drswn by two engines, and arrived two hours late. The train from New York and Bridgeport due at Canaan at 9 40 &. m., arrived at 2 l5 p. m. and remained until 45 p. m. when it started north. It was drawn by two engines. one being the engine of the Wilson Point freight due I2 hours pre- vious. The train from Pittsfeld due at g. 40 a m. arrived at 30 D. m. and left at 45 D. m. The train from New York due at Canaan at 12 3S (uoon) ar- rived about 30 D. m. That was the "last run of shad" from the south, as all other trains from that direction were annulled. Two trains went south dur ing the night.
 When the Connecticut Western rail- road was being built it was scoffed at, and many said it would be only a sum- mer road for it would be blocked with snow every winter. We'll, so much for prophecy. The facts are that the Con- necticut Western railroad from Hartford to Millerton tnow called the Philadel- pbia, Reading < New England rUad) takes the cake on bucking snow, even over Norfolk hills, notwithstanding the road is in the hands of a receiver. About eight o'clock Friday morning the big snow blow propelled by two heavy engines left Canaan for Hartford and arrived there before noon. Then it re- turned to Canaan, arrived here about 5 D. m and half an hour later 1t started for Ma, brook or Campbell Hall and got there in due time. A train left Hart ford about 30 p. m. arrived at Canaan about 40 p. m. then turned around and went back to Hartford. Another train from Hartford reached Canaan about p. m. and proceeded to Miller ton where it turned around and return ed to Hartford the some light. A ''fauger" drawn by one or more engines followed the snow blow on it's travels and kept the road open. No attempt was made by either road to move freight trains. The country highways were blocKed with snow, and business was stopped, consequently Caoaan merchants closed their stores at 6 p, m. The mer- cury registered six below zero at 8 p. 10.
 On Saturday morning the mercury was below zero, and 1t was showing and blowing. The ''fanger" drawn by two engines left Canaan at 10.45 o'clock for Hartford. A train from Millerton ar- rived at II. l5 o'clock and proceeded to Hartford. A train from Hartford ar rived about 1.45 p. m. Another train from Hartford arrived in the evening, and train also went to Hartford in the afternoon. On the Housatonic road the trains were virtually annulled on &C., count of the snow drifts at Sheffield, New Lenox and other places in Berk- shire county. At Newtown a drift, said to be 20 feet deep and 2000 feet long, resisted all attempts to break through it. A heavy drift at Still River below | New Milford was also barrier. A snow blow and two engines went north from Canaan about 9 a. m. A train arrived from the north about 11.15 a. ID. and went south. Another train from the north arrived in the afternoon or eve ming, The snow blow came from the north at AS p m. and returned at 10 15 p m. The first and only train from the south this day arrived at 10 30 p. m. with two engines and three cars.
 On Sunday the snow plow came down the Housatonic road at 10 90 0. m. Two engines and three passenger cars came up the road at II 40 m. Two engines and three passenger cars came up the road at 12 15 (uoon The milk train was about one and one half hours late going down the road. The blockade at Newtown was raised during the day, ,and in the evening train arrived from Bridgeport and went north. The Conn. Western road sent their 'hanger" east in the afternoon, aud their west bound train arrived on time. It was Marchy day and the snow drifted badly
 Gu Monday both roads ran their regu- lar trains, but all trains on the Housa- tonic road were mcre or less late on &C., count of the snow drifting into the cuts. Both roads moved some freight trains l On Friday the Boston & Albany road