The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-26
MUCH SUFFERING In CHICAGO
Prompt Action to RellsV Forty ThOuS-
and Destitute Inhabitants.
KNOWN CASES RECEIVE ATTENTION.
Unprecedented Cold Weather In Western
states-Trains Delayed and Hun
dreds Apply for Aid in the
Cities-Crops suffer.

CHICAGO, Jan. 25.--The people Of Chi
cago In bodies and as individual citizens
were aroused to-day TO take prominent
and generous action for the relief Of
the two-score thousand destitute inhabi-
tants whose suffering for want Of fuel.
food. and clothing has reached an ex-
treme stage, as a result Of the terrible
continuance Of the cold wave. which came
upon the city Saturday. increasing in in
tensity until to-day it reached the lowest
point officially recorded in a quarter Of a
century.
APPEALS FOR AID.
Mayor Swift issued proclamation, &C
cordlng TO his expressed intention. of ap-
pealing in urgent language 10 all citi-
zens. who have the means TO spare, TO
contribute at once money and supplies TO
prevent the starvation ard freezing Of
unfortunate thousands. lie urged the
subscription OF $4,000 as being none too
much 10 afford the help TO the needy
The funds of the charity organization
have been depleted, owing 70 the extra
demands on them. even during the mild
weather, which has prevailed until few
days ago.
Much damage was done in suburbs 20
telegraph and telephone wires by tho
cold. Traffic with Cicero was suspended
until late by collapse Of cable poles.
The work OF anording instant tempo
rary relief during the inclement weather
was pushed by the police agents, using
patrol-wagOns and ambulances in such
q systematic manner that 10 case of
destitution 'eported remained unattended
to tonight.
According to the records OF the
Weather BuIeau. sunqay was the
coolest day in Chicago IN twenty
nye years. At no time since the Chicago
station has been established has there
been 30 low a maximum temperature re-
corded. IL Was steacy cold. There was
a variation OF but four degrees ln tho
twelve hours from o'clcck IA the morn
ing until the same hour IN the eFenlub.
~ u clock last night the signal service
reported twelve below. on the street II
was seN eral degrees below tnat. Inc sui-
fering among the poorer class Is intense,
ana "a number Of cases OF destitutiOn were
reported 10 the police. Al Grand, cross
ing thirty-thrre families, with eighty
SIX children were found IN their poorly
protected novels unable 10 care Tor them
selves.
Ears, noses. and hands were whitened
benumOed by the cold. They were cared
for and physicians summoned TO render
reief. In South Chicago hye families
We're found actually freezing 20 death.
These were also removed by the police
20 warmer quarters. where proper treat
ment was given them. y number of
other cases were found in other parts
of the city.
To aid the poor. on account Of the eX-
treme severity OF the weather. the county
q fr... d La. la. a. f H.N
90 destitute families. This is the first
time such q delivery has been made on
Sunday. Food and clothing We're also
given out.
Up TO II o'clock there We're between
fifteen and twenty cases reported 20
the police Of people being found in the
street. suffering from frozen hands. feet
ears. and noses. OF these. two or three
are in O. serious condition. only one
death from cold was rcported-that Of a
child. by midnight, the thermometer
registered seventeen degrees below. hav-
ing dropped five degrees since 5 O'Clock
Tn cold is made more intense. as il is
accompanied by a brisk sharp wind.
SUFFERING N ST LOUIS.
ST LOUIS. Jan 25.-The cold wave
which gathered in British Columbia on
Friday swept down upon this section yes
terday and stiu continues though slight
ly abatcd tonight. Al o'clock this
morning. the temperature was exactly
zero. At noon three degrees above was
indicated and az p. d.. four degrees
above was the reading.
The demand on the Associated Charities
for food and fuel was never greater.
The police department is doing every
d
twenty-five frost bitten victims We're
treated at the city dispensary to-day and
three amputat0ns We're necessary. Hun
dreds OF homeless people are sheltered
tonight 40 the police stations.
THE STORM GENERAL.
The river has not yet closed here.
though it is full OF floating ice. which
endargers shipping.
Special dispatches show that no sec
ton West or South OF this city has es-
capped the sudden fury OF the blizzard.
For the first time IN mans memory. Ice
formed for n short time over lower
White river I'm Arkansas to-day. Snow
is reported In West Tennessee and South
ern Illinois.
The great fruit section Of Southwest
Missouri and Northern Arkansas. has es-
pocially suffered and nothing can save
the crop. a fan Of snow that would
have saved the vat fields OF Missouri
Iowa and Nebraska did not come with
the cold wave and predictions OF disaster
20 the cereals were FREQUENT on Cslange.
CAN ONLY AID 4 FEW.
OMAHA. NEB.. Jan. 2j.-Pitiful stories
OF want and desttution are coming 10 the
attention OF the authorities. aggravated by
tU. ut-nea roIH which -fui holds if- grip
On the city and State. The city authorities
to-day had over one thousand families
TO provide coal 70, IN addition 10 food
and clothing The charitable institutions
OF the city are able % assist only a small
portion Of those IN actual need of protec-
tion.
out In the state the thermometer ranges
from = 20 l. degrees below zero. Stock
seem 10 be weathering the Geld snap bet
ter than was anticipated.
FIFTY-ONE BELOW.
DULUTH. MINI. Jan. 25.-The Cow
eminent thermometers her, to-day reg
istered - degrees. but private instru-
ments went iowor. There is no wind.
IL is q below on the ranges az Virginia;
y at Lower. 20 az Ely and 2s 40 TWO
Harbor.
FRUIT UNINJURED.
JACKSONVILLE. FLA. Jan. 25.-The
temperature al 10 +. NJ. tonight In
Florida was as follows Jacksonville. %.
& Augustine. ls. Orlando. o. Tampa.
es. Jupiter. q. Key Kest. 5s. \ slisntiy T.
f,liirr barometer IS noted az all South f.
Florida points with rain at Key West 4
and Jupiter.