The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-02
AN EASTERN BLIZZARD.
Traffic Suspended by Storm in and
About Boston.
VESSEL WRECKED, EIGHT LOST.
Schooner Charles L. Briggs Dashed to
Pieces on the Nnhant Coast-Trains
Unable to Proceed More Than Ton
M lies beyond Boston.

Pieces on the Nnhant Coast-Trains
Unable to Proceed More Than Ton
Miles beyond Boston.
Boston, Feb. 2. "A northeast snow
storm, which set in on Monday and
ragged until yesterday afternoon, COM
pletely paralyzed all branches of busi-
ness and street car and steam railroad
traffic, and shut off the city from COM
munication by wire with all places out
side the CITY limits Of Boston. The
storm was the most severe this city
has experienced in 25 years, and caused
the loss Of several lives, beside doing a
money damage of hundreds Of thous-
ands Of dollars
More than half the electric lights OF
the city went out and in suburban
towns the fire alarm service was Grip
pied. In Newton broken wires falling
across others started fire in the elec-
trio room of the elegant residence Of
Charles j. Travolli the wealthy Pitts
burg steel manufacturer, and in two
hours nothing remained of the house
but ashes. Mr.. Travellls family es-
capped in their night clothes without
saving anything. The loss amounts to
about 100000
Late Monday night the big three
Z. masted schooner Charles T. Briggs, Of
Bath, Me-. coal laden, was dashed to
pieces on the Nahant coast, and it Is
believed her crew of eight men per-
ished. The body of one of the crew
has been recovered.
In tile business district 1t was nearly
noon when many employees reached
fheir places Of employment, all subur-
ban trolley lines having been abandon
ed at midnight and the steam railroads
being unable to run more than two or
three suburban trains during the fore
noon. All through trains from New
York and the west, as well as those
from the east, were at least from four
to six hours late.
The Boston and Albany road start
cd two express trains for New York
during the forenoon, but it was Q
o'clock before they were able to pro-
ceed beyond Natick, ten miles from
this city. The tracks were not only
blocked with snow, but masses of
broken poles and wires scattered over
the road were encountered at many
points.
The city and suburbs are covered
with broken poles and tangled wires.
Many horses We're killed in the streets
by stepping upon the ends Of telephone
wires which had fallen across the troll
ley wires. Last night the situation as
sumed such a dangerous aspect that
Mayor Quincy ordered that none Of
the electric lights be turned on except
IN districts where the wires are under
ground. 1t will require weeks to re-
store the telephope and telegraphic
service. Not IL single telegraph wire
out Of Boston was in operation all day,
and the telephone wires were in al
most as bad condition.
Shipping in the harbor was damaged
greatly. 1t is feared that many dis
asters to coast shipping will be report
ed when telegraphic communication Is
restored.
At Lawrence Mass, the storm has
paralyzed business and traffic. Street
car lines are tied up and communication
with other towns almost suspended.
All the mills were seriously affected by
the storm. Many of the operatives
were out s,na some- of the mills We're
not running at all. Forty passengers
On q train out of Boston passed the
right stuck fast in snow drift be-
tween Ballarvale and Lowell, without
food, and did not reach Lawrence un-
til late yesterday afternoon.
A dispatch from Gloucester, Mass,
says: The storm at Gloucester was one
OF the worst in many years, and the
damage which lies in its wake will foot
up about $2O0.00O. About one thousand
fishing and other vessels We're wholly
or partly wrecked. A dozen of these
were wholly wrecked. Eighteen lives
are said to have been lost, and there
may be IL more who have gone down in
missing vessels.
At Watcrville. Ne, small houses have
been buried by 20 foot drifts Of snow.
The Lockwood Cotton mills have been
closed, the operatives being unable to
reach the factory. Men in snow shoes
made their way through the streets.
There has been no train over the Maine
Central railroad for "a hours.