The Delta independent., 1899-04-28
We,ters Of Ice Tor II DAYS.

"Trad will be clear at 40 p. m."
Tbs Telegraph clicked only a few
timss = conveying the little message.
bot thoDords were full OF Significance
to o(ReQp and employees OF the Colorado
Nidlsa railway. For seventy seven
days - main line OF the system was
locke4 the grasp OF the ice king.
festeGlc the glad news flashed over
the 49, that brains aud energy and
muse1e Nd at last triumphed and once
more transcontinental traffic would
be II ned. Everyboyd about head
quad breathed easier and orders were
dispg ID FOR the usual train service to
Be G ed. Congratulations began to
- quarters even before the first
move had been issued. and
ppers at iitIerent points on the
line beySu 10 give notice that they
would lose no time in loading out"
The snow blockade OF the Colorado
Midland road will go into history as the
most remarkable event OF the kind in
the railway experience OF the Rocky
mountain region. Remarkable, because
OF the almost unceasins storms which
swept for more than two months across
Hagermaa -pass, and remarkable on
account of the mighty efforts pu, forth
by every agency known to meet and
successfully combat the fierce elements.
From the evening OF January 81 the
evening of April IL the fight never
ceased. except when the baffied but not
discouraged human forces were obliged
from shees fatigue to retire for rest.
A history OF the advance and retreat,
the cancellations. the assembling OF
new forces. the fresh attack. the mighty
impact and the almost overwhelming
d,scouragements would make volume.
Two crsat JUL plows and powerful
rotary. backed each by five great loco
motives and accompanied by complete
crews, consisting OF skilled engineers
iremen. trainmen. conductor. - TO l50
snow shovsiers. al; usder direction OF
the uperisterdent. traihmas:cr. or road.
master. m1de an ensemble which ono >
seen in the tield could not SON b, Tor
gotten. Each os the snow plows was
provided With keen eyed man known
as the look out. whose duty its was TO
give warming OF danger. Each, division
Of tive engines and snow plow was
provided with complete lodging and
boar,iingsou,tite,- aud whale the fighters
were at.ths-froat new iorccs were con
s,antly being secruited to take the
places q thuec worn out by exposure.
At one time the valiant heroes IN tinued
forty two Aours Without stopping. and
So engine crrws were rescued at an
other time sfter they had beer IN con
hnuous service 10. Ga hours Ies,erjsy
two engines we're released which had
been frozen uf,r scveaty thee days.
The story aecms incrc iiblr, but per
sons who t,as~l up,n the maraiains of
snow whieh deiicd .rcn wal. c ,ntcss that
every wssl.is truc. In spots the snow
baakci up to = height OF j feet. aud
once big gshs OF man required two
hours to DIG dowu'to the OF OF a snow
shed which covered the railroa, track.
In many Plaees II va. necessary TO
tunnel The ssnw banks and blow up the
mass OF sncu. oscshs I'd with dynamite.
Then the psss would be rushed agains,
the yieldiae boAy and ! new tunnel
permitted y adyascs few feet.
u is seioeesd ~ psrssns Who have a
liking fue ogurss that the management
Of the Mldlaad spest 10000 cash in
battling - eoov. At one time 713
men we're y Wosk b the snow fields,
and duriu6 tAs ocsth q February tie
expenses Of maintaining the army
amounted q e06oco. Sixteen standard
sag.ass we're sailed into sss. s-d irri2s