Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-04-11


was a coordination of sand and snow
storm which swept over these regions
completely demoralizing train sched-
ales and causing serious inconveni-
snce and discomfort to travellers. The
aaEes Of snow and particles Of sand
mingled and were driven across the
Drairies at terrific speed by the gale
which blew necessarily for two days.
There was no loss of human life because
the storm was not accompanied by the
usual degree Of cold, but many cattle
and horses In western Kansas are re-
ported to have been suffocated by the
whirlIngk clouds Of sand. The sand
and snow filed up the railroad cuts
and buried the tracks. The snow melt
Cd and the sand settled down in a
hard unylelding mass. Rotary snow
DlowD and all the modern mechanical
appliances for battling with snow drifts
were useless against this new enemy
and the railroad companies were COM
Qelled 70 engage men with picks and
dhovels TO remove the sand from the
tracks
The work was begun while the gale
was still In progress and tie suffering
OF the worlmen Is said to have been In
bGAAHds AAAB DdILlCltb VI 5bl1lu OIlNCA ny
sixty mile an hour wind cut through
the clothes Of the men and perforated
their skin like knives. A few hours
work was all that man could stand
without eeking shelter from the blind
Ing suffOcating storm Of sand.
ON BOARD THE TRAINS.
On board the belated trains the con-
duction Of the travel was not much bet
ter. Every door and window was kept
closed to shut out the sand yet 1t sifted
h persistenly until the floors of the
cars were covered and everything was
gritty to the touch. The air in the
ears became hot and sitting and the
passengers in several instances were
compelled to go without food.
The first train since Friday to reach
this city from Denver, except the Bur-
ington trains, was the Missouri Pa
eific train, which arrived yesterday.
The Burlington's tracks were outside
the storm belt and its train schedule
was not affected. The Santa FEES Colo
RADIO train arrived last night after
protracted battle with sand and snow
drifts. The Union Pacific did not
bring In a single train from Denver un-
I'll o'clock this evening when their
overland reached the union depot. The
train was held In Denver until cutn
Cedar Point, Kan, which was filled
with a drift of sand for a distance of
$50 feet, was cleared out. No Rock Is
land trains from the west had reached
here up to o'clock this evening since
Saturday. Two belated trains arrived
at the union depot at and o'clock
respectively.
Reports as to loss of live stock has
not reached here yet owing to inter-
ruption Of telegraph service. No direct
wires were secured to Denver until this
aft moon and telegraph companies be-
ing compelled to send their business for
Denver and points beyond by way the
northern route. There Is every prob
ability, however, that when reports be-
gin to come in they will show that cat
tie on the range have suffered great
hardships and 1t it not impossible that
considerable loss was sustained by
stockmen-
The reports from northern Colorado
and Wyoming are to the effect that the
wind and sand storm was so fierce
there that the men at work clearing the
track were obliged to wear coverings
TOR their faces, the sand cutting even
through the cloth like knife and lac
Grating the shovelers in horrible fash
ion.
The loss Of range stock in some por-
lions OF eastern Colorado, 1t is said,
Will dAllOull " ~ pei NClll VI lllG NOldls
Many cattle drifted into Hugo, Colo,
and persisted, which had been driven
before the wind from the north for over
100 miles
RAIN IN NEBRASKA.
Omaha, Neb., April 8-Though ell
trains in Nebraska are comparatively
on time tonight, the companies have
had hard time operating their olling
stock In the extreme western part o..
the state the past three days. This
was due principally to snow and sand
The latter covered the track in some
Instances several inches and were cak
ed so as to require great effort to clear
the roadbeds. Many freights were
temporarily abandoned, but allpassen-
ger traffic went through, through great
ly delayed. The rains continued today
and no further trouble Is anticipated
as the water will wash the sand from
Tihe tracks and prevent futher drifts
OF sand accommodating on the tracks
This is the worst experience of the en-
tire winter In railroad circles.
Winden, Neb., April S.-After one of
the most windy and dusty spells of
weather, change has come and it be-
gan showing about the middle of the
night and fell to the depth of one inch
after which 1t began to rain at about
8 a. m. yesterday and continued to rain
at a good rate all day. The ground Is
now in 4 splendid condition, and those
who wore frown Friday were smiling
out loud yesterday.
Wauneta, Neb., April s.-The heavy
fall of snow reported from here Friday
was succeeded by a steady rainfall
which will effectually break tie long
drouth and put the ground in excellent
condition for a big crop this season.
Farmers are jubilant over the excellent
prospect Every effort will be made to
plant a large acreage of corn from
which an bundant harvest may be ex-
peoted.
A cycler near Dresden was charged
the regular toll fee for a two-wheeled
vehicle for crossing a bridge at Kros-
sen over the Nude. He paid under
protest. On his return journey he dis
mounted and carried the wheel across
on htg shoulder He rafuead IN noy