Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-02-14
THE END OF THE BLIZZARD.

n
HOWLING ARCTIC GALE-ScENEs,
ETC.
1t is generally conceded that the oft-
referred to blizzard of the winter of
1867 must take second place in
meteorological phenomens. the scenes
hereabouis during the past week eclip.
sing anything in the way of frigld
weather within the memory of the pres.
eut generation. At the close of yes.
terday the snow was waist deep in
many places, and in others, where it had
drifted, it was above gates and fences
and in some instance was approximate
ing windows on the second floors of
houses. As the day closed the north
west wind grew feYcer and filed the
air with clouds of snow, and pedestri-
anism to those compelled to be out
was tiresome and exhaustive. Most of
those in the streets were laboring to
reach their homes after their day work,
and locomotion, when each step caused
them to bury their legs knee deep in
snow, was laborious and slow. Men
with the trunks of their bodies only in
view fought their way through the
fierce gale and binding snow, and only
after great difficulty reached shelter
after battling with the elements as
white from head to foot as Santa Claus.
Those who could remain in their
homes uttered expressions of relief as
they entered their doors and stamped
the snow from their feet, shook it from
their clothing and drew up beside
glowing stoves. Old Boreas SEEM
ed in his most angry mood, and
and the northwest wind grew iercer
every minute after darkness set in. II
whistled, roared, howled and moaned,
and its doleful dirges, the piercing cold
and binding snow clouds whirling
through the streets and the absence of
the electric lights made the scene with.
out doors the most dismal ever witness
ed hereabouts. The wel-remembered
blizzard Of March, 1883, was in fact
child's play compared with it. 1t was
d veritable Arctic scene the like of
which may never again be witnessed in
this vicinity by the present generation.
Louder and louder roared the wind,
slamming unsecured blinds, rafting
window sashes and whistling through
key holes. angry as it were that
1t could net penetrate and dis
turb the comfort of those huddled
in front of CRATES or around stoves.
The fires within houses burned fercely
by the aid of the draft afforded by the
keen flaws, and it was necessary to
watch them continually, as coal was
eaten up almost as fast as wood. In
ehe midst of the trying scene the
thought of fire would ever and anon
cross the mind. II WAS d suggestion
which one would rather not en-
terrain, but it was o possibility
AYE more, strong probabili-
~. The energy of the wind which
was causing q higher barometer and
Tree draft of hues rendered it extremely
probable that the distressing midnight
cry OF fire !" would be heard. And
what could have been done under the
circumstances IL would have been
next to impossible to get the engine 5
through the deep snow in the streets,
and had this been accomplished The
plugs were buried and doubtless frozen.
The fire would have been left to run its
course, and famed by the tierceuess of
the gale the result is too horrible to
contemplate. There was, however, no
such grave accompaniment to the dis
mai scene, and between four and five
o'clock this morning the flaws Of wind
became less severe aud the heavens liz
the meantime having become clear
morning broke by old Sol showing him
self again after what had seemed 8
long absence. The scene thus present,
ed was the deep snow clustering be-
meath the cheerful sunbeam, and the
thought That the blizzard was over was
great relief and more than compen-
stated for all the discontinue to be ex-
perieuced in clearing yards and side
walks, and people began the work
cheeriully. La some cases it was liter
ally necessary to dig way out of prem
ises. The snow had completely block
ed up alleys, piling as high as the
fences, while the drifts against doors
reached the transoms, and windows on
ground floors were completely buried
by the heavy drifts. The work Of
clearing away the snow was prosecuted
with yigor, and before half the day had
elapsed the Grief barriers ut least had
been removed and existence had be.
come more pleasant. Ia the meantime
the ceasele,s casting Of the snow from
the pavements to the streets had caused
nigh banks, which rendered the running
ing OF vehicles difficult, but as the
day advanced things were gradually
assuming their normal condition
Among the many discomitures of the
severe weather probably the most Ser
ious is the freezing and bursting Of wa
i ter pipes, and in most houses in which
they enter there is work for the plumb
ar. This class of mechanics has beer
kept busy since last week repairing
damages, and they have been compelled
10 work at night and last Sunday il
order to meet the demands upon them
Many outdoor hydrants are also
| frozen.
RAILROAD TRAFFIC.
The Southern railway yesterday sent
two engines southbound to clear the
tracks. but both were stalled shor
distance up the road. This morning
TWO of the most powerful engines ou
the road were started out and at las
accounts were making fair progress.
This morning the Southern road also
started three engines and car to open
the track between this city and Wash