The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-22
RA|N,SLEET AND SNOW
Trains Late and Street Cars
Unable to Move.
MOST DECIDED CHANGE
Mercury Drops "A Degrees
in "a Hours.
q O. m. Sunday, thermometer Se
degrees.
q a. m. Monday, thermometer IA
degrees.

The most severe storm in years that
has visited this section Of the country
came about midnight Sunday. All after
noon Sunday the wind and dust blew
gale and made everybody seek their own
firesIdes However, the day was mild, but
fbe disagreeable wind caused everybody
70 keen within doors. Abaut O'clock
Sunday night il began to rain and il came
down lightly at first and increased until
nearly Y, when the wind shifted to the
north and a very sudden change in the
temperature took place. The streets were
covered with ice and the few night proWl-
ers met a blast of ice and snow. It
showed, internationally. until after dark
last night. The wind, which was travelling
along at rate Of between 20 and 30 miles
an hour, made some drifts but at no point
did the snow get over two or three incnes
IN depth.
listers furs. winter garments Of every
kind were brought out in hurry. Only
those whom necessity called upon the
streets ventured out Men were scarce
md women, only very few were to be
reen. Collars were turned up and rub
bers and all winter accessories were
brought out.
For three hours the street cars tried 70
run, but gave II up as last as a bad job.
The snow would drift onto the tracks
as fast as the workmen could clear them.
People living on College Hin and near
the packing plants were compelled to
walk, much TO their discontinue The
big drays and wholesale wagons took the
middle Of the street and had their wagons
pulled on the car tracks. The pavements
were as smooth as glass and the horses,
not having been shod for rough weather,
were slipping about like a cork upon the
water. Trees were covered. house tops,
harms, sidewalks. ground and all had an
Gee coating with a snow finish.
There were many curious scenes to be
noticed. One man. a farmer. came in
from the country and bought two two
gallon jugs of whisky al a wholesale
house. into each handle he had tied
rope and had the rope swung over his
shoulders. When he got 10 the corner
Of Market and Douglas. one foot took
lunge and down came the farmer on the
Icy sidewalks. Both jugs hit the hard
walk and broke. lie said something not
quite distinguishahe. but the last part
of his remark was: - if [ care. This
Is tough. Nv cnt TO a wholesale house
TO get cheaper rates, and I'm worse off
than If I had bought It at retail price.
Boys. jump in and eat that snow. I'll
let you have it at five a bite" He was
a good natured fellow and took his loss
philosophcaly.
Men ran as fast as they could on the
slippery ice from their places Of business
70 where they had to go. Fires were
built up to the limit and all Rugged them
and only the most urgent business took
them from indoors.
it was a fact that very few sleighs were
put During the daylight hours none ap-
peared, but after dusk a few merry bells
rould be heard. but less than IS usual
when a snow appears.
The electric lights seen through the
w1nd-blown snow were dim and could
scarcely be seen. Tn scurrying snow was
formed into little whirlwinds and blown
across the street only TO find a resting
place for a few minutes until it would
be whirled back again.
The trains were all late. The Missouri
Pacific was a nhour late both east and
west At Gencseo the train was unable
90 get in at all. There the pay car was
stalled. The Frisco was several hours
late. Inc Wichita and Western was a
few hours behind. The celebrated slow
fast mail came in at l clock due here at
The Santa Fe was behind both from
the north and south. Every road was de-
hyed in their passenger and freight ser
vice.
The sleet under the snow was an offer
sor anybody TO fall three times within
q block. There was very little profanity
used. Each one who fell took il good
oaturedly and said, zone dobber down.
picked himself up and went on. using
more precaution in placing his feet
The storm IS general in the west ex-
tending from Canada to the south line
OF Oklahoma. It goes as far west as
Montana and as far east as central Ms
souri,.
The telegraph wires are working heavily
but are not down. Telephone wires are
considerably damaged bur were repaired
as soon as il was known shat they were
Gown.
The high wind made Il difficult to
tathom whether The snow was stiu falling
pr whether il was being caught ND by the
scurryinC wind and blown into the pedes-
trian's face.
While the snow storm Is expected 20 do
great deal Of good To the wheat. on the
other hand. il VIII unquestionably do
6amsEe II THE cattle on the range.
The big plate glass of George Psraan1's
hrug store Was blown in and made a ter
rifle crash The snow blew in and made
Things very uncomfortable FOR a while.
The break VAS boarded UP as soon as
possible \ show ease our on the side
walk belonging "a The :. T. Moves dry
goods nouse. was picked M by the wind
and made several ovolu-iors resembling a
Eomersault When ii was picked un il
Hooked as II 4; had been i'm a wreck CON
siderable damage Of "a minor nature was
reported. Sides of harms and oi;t-h houses
were blown in and chickens were frozen.
The great drop IN the temperature VAS
responsible fer it.
The l. y L. dairy team. as vas ,ha
case with hundreds Of o,hers fell fat
at the corner of Lawrence and First and
had 20 he uahitched before they coud set
up.
Al one time there were four horses
down AZ one time on Douglas avenue be-
sweeS Market and First. Two % them
had 10 be unhitche5. Most OF the fails
occurred in the forenoon. as mos; Of the
horses used ABOUT town were rough sho5
as fast Is the h,acksmiths could Sc,
around Len Davis ana crowd OF feI-
lows VINO came down from Valley Center.
were shut i'm mere aH day.
George Spencer started down town WIKI
q horse smooth shod. After going about
half mile his horse had fallen eleven
smes. 81 d elod ann in and had rough
shoes pax on.