The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-04
RAISING THE BLOCKADE
COLORADO RAILWAYS CLEARING
THEIR TRACKS OF SNOW.
Rotary Cutting the Way for Train
load of Food for Starving KOkO-
moftes-Another Cold Wave.

DENVER, Col, Feb. 3.-While no snow
fell in Denver to-day, snowstorms and cold
waves are reported by the Weather Bureau
to be bearing on the city from every direc-
ton. A blizzard prevailed at Leadville,
where snow has fallen for ten days in sue
cession. Leadville is the western terminus
at present of both the Denver & Rio Grande
and the Colorado Midland railroads, though
neither is sparing expense in its efforts to
clear the tracks west of that city Trains
over the Rio Grande began running to-day
on regular schedule between Denver and
Leadville, and from Denver to Durango over
the narrow gauge. The trains are also rum
ming east from Grand Junction to Gunnl-
son and Ouray over the narrow gauge. the
Midland Terminal is blockaded, but commu-
nication with Cripple Creek is still MAIN
tanned over the Florence & Cripple Creek
line. The first train from Como over the
South Park road since the beginning or the
big snow three weeks ago arrived in Denver
tonight. A rotary. followed by a train
load of provisions, is cutting its way to ko-
komo, and the intention is if the train is
not buried by snow slides, to enter Leadville
tomorrow.
1t has been many years since the Colorado
railroads have had to contend with such
conditions as now prevail in the mountains
The loss to the railways in this State. taking
into consideration the business which is not
moving and the outlay of cash to pay the
snow ShoVelerS, IS estimated at $2o,U0O day.
Not less than LOCO men have been shoYeling
snow for several days. Over 5000 miles of
road in the mountains have been at times
shut OH from communication with the main
lines. Storm-bound passengers are fed and
cared for by the railway companies. The
Denver q Rio Grande has a large force OF
men at work to-day clearing the tracks
near Shashora, In the canyon of the Grand
river. where snow slide occurred yesterday,
killing three men ana injuring six others
of wrecking crew.
On the mountain sides thousands of cattle
are freezing and starving to death, and
nothing can be done to save them. In east
ern Colorado hay is being hauled long dis
tanceS over the prairieS to feed cattle and it
IS hoped 10 avoid heavy losses of live stock
II the storm and cold abate within a day or
two. However, there will be some losses of
stock that is now closely herded.
"A dispatch from Siverton says Edward
Rodgers, a miner was killed by snowslide
near town to-day.
The officials of the Denver & Rio Grande
railway Company say that the system has
not had such an experience since the winter
of 1888. AT GlenWood Springs are three Rio
Grande and two Midland trains snowbound,
each road has a train at Leadville and the
Rio Grande two at Grand Junction and one
at M1nturn. No road except the Union Pa
clflc is accepting through WeSt-bound pas
sengers. Snow is reported on the Rio Grande
lines all the way from three feet on the
level at Genwood Springs to six feet at
Crested Butte. AT O'Clock this evening the
mercury stood at % degrees below at Mar
shall pass.
A train started from Minturn with gang
of shoVeers to open the line through the
canyon Of the Grand river. At o'clock this
evening the train had not reached the
canyon. The Denver & Rio Grande Com
pany expects to have its main line open by
next Sunday.
The West MinstreIs. the Cay Coney ISL
and" Company and SHAFT No. TO- Company
are all blockaded at different points in the
mountains.