Middletown transcript., 1899-02-18
4 MEMORABLE SNOW STORM.
snow Oceans Deep-snow Mountains
f4rnVr

+
High
The gre aiest snow fall within the mem.
ory of the oldest iuhabitant fell during the
first three days of this week, and it came
| right down on the top of Pinch Klonr
dyke. ami the earth was clothed in daz
z'ing mantle Of transcendantly beautiful
white. piled mountain-high in the drifts
and no less than 18 inches deep on the
levels.
To one who has spent the major portion
OF half century in the South, where a
fake of snow would not be seen for, per
haps, half dozen years, the sight of these
bulgng heaps Of spotless white is at once
novel and enchanting g-grandiloquently
beautiful. awe inspiring, and peculiarly
fascinating-a forcible reminder of the
marvellous and mysterious power and wis.
dom of an Omnpotent Diety.
With terrible gale, set square from the
North. the storm ragged in relentless and
unceasing fury for nearly y hours. Old
Boreas whistled and moaned by turns, in
that delightfully."- enchanting and vet sadly
mournfu cadence that sent thoughts of
nature not to be described-indescribab
unutterable, unthinkable thoughts, as it
were--through the brain and every nerve
and tissue of the body:
'tSea, earth, air. sound, silence,
Plant, quadruped, bird,
By one music enchanted,
One Diety stirred" Emerson.
One was reminded of the war of the ele-
ments so grandly described in 1 Kings. xix,
u. supplemented by the "Still. small voice.
As a result of this violent downpouring
of "the beautiful sn'-that is, this terrible
snow storm-business in almost all of its
various branches, came TO a standstill; rail-
road traffic ceased; we were completely
isolated from the outer world; no mails |
telephone and telegraph service interrupted;
it was like being cast upon desert isle, |
with no possible means of communication |
with the world at large; and this condition
lasted from Saturday night until Wednes-
day night.
A number of the Oldest citizens have been
interviewed by TRANSCRIPT reporters, and
the report is summed up below:
Mr. Jesse Hyatt. 64 years of age says he
can remember nothing like it.
Mr.. E. Hurn, who has been resident
of Middletown for 81 years, says that this
is the heaviest storm OH record during that
period. He says that during the Winter of
1855 '56, sleighing lasted, interruptedly for
seven weeks.
Capt. Samuel Pennington has beeA a
resident of this community for 81 years,
and thinks this is the greatest snow storm
during that time.
Mrs. Catherine Merritt has resided in this
section for IS years, and thinks this equal
to anything of the kind that she has ever
seen; although she clearly remembers
snow storm some seventy years ago, which
was nearly, il not fully equal to the present
snow fall At that time size resided near
Sandy Branch.
Mrs. Mary j. Burris has lived in this
section for rs years. and thinks she remem-
bers snow storm some 70 years ago, which
was equal to the present one, if not heavier
She was then living on the q. F. Brady
farm about a half mile North of Middler
town.
On Sunday and Monday, the crows,
Iuails black birds. and rabbits, were driven
INTO town where they sought food and
shelter from the warning elements, which
quite number of thoughtful and well.
disposed persons gladly bestowed.
Newspaper accounts say that the storm
aged furiousy from the great forests of
Maine to the everglades of Florida
From the ever-fridged North,
With its eternal SHOWS,
To the bright sunny South,
Where the sweet magnolia blows.
And owing to their unpreparedness. the
south is suffering to a greater extent than
Ter Northern sisters; numerous deaths from
,old and starvation being reported there.
Let whatever may, be said, the present
Weather will scarcely be duplicated during
he lifetime of the coming men and women
Who are now spending their best days in
he school room.