Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-19
EARMtILLE.
RecOlIectiOns OF the Snow of 1857
Personal and General


| FARMVILLE, VA, February 1S-(Spe-
cial)-One Of our reliable countrymen
who remembers we'll the big snow-storm
OF January, 1857. gives the following facts
to the Dispatch correspondent concern
| ing it: The snow commenced to fall on
| Sunday, and so dreadful was it in IFS Sc
verify that IT impressed itself indelbly
upon many persons now living. The wind
blew furiously from the north drifting
the snow and hail in many places to the
| level Of the fences Where there were
deep cuts In the road, and there were
fences on both sides, as was the case at
cut banks, the snow drifted to the depth
OF at least Is or 20 feet, and remained in
the public roads as an impossible barrier
for months. 1t piled itself up over the
| doors OF some houses, and in some places
covered the windows II was intensely
cold. The F'armvile Journal Of that week
reported the thermometer OF Monday as
registering 10 degrees below zero. Do
nestle and wild animals persisted in great
numbers from the cold. In some places
whole focks Of turkeys died on Sunday,
falling one by one from their high roosts
in the yard trees. Men were found stiff
frozen, apparently alive, and holding on
TO the reins. sitting erect, and the licle
In motion. What was most remarkable
about tho 1857 snow is that IL all fell in
the short space of twenty-four hours. II
came in binding sheets. The high, cold
wind penetrated every crack and crevics
in close dwelling houses, carrying with it
fine mistlike snow. Taking IL all In all,
considering the fury Of the wind, the in
tenslty OF the cold, and the amount OF
hail and snow that fell in so limited
time, it is considered the most remark
able snow that has fallen in the memory
Of living men, and perhaps Of the CEN
fury.
The town authorities provided well for
the poor this week. Three carloads OF
coal were purchased by the town, and
wisely and discreetly distributed to both
colored and white citizens that were I'M
able to buy fuel.
The marriage Of Miss Florence Lydia
Hart to Mr.. Edward DePrcs ILpsoomb
was a pretty but quiet affair. 1t occur
red Thursday evening at half-past 8
O'clock at tho home OF tho brides pa
rents, Mr.. and Mrs. J. s. Hart. and was
by only few OF the most init
mate friends. Rev. T. Men. Simpson per-
formed the ceremony. Mr.. and Mrs. Lips
comb will reside in Powhatan county,
where the former is engaged in the farm
ing business.
1t is reported that several persons have |
come across whole fiocks OF cartridges |
starved to death in the snow. 1t is hoped |
that the next legislative body will pass |
another such law as was In force two |
years ago prohibitng ire shooting OF |
these birds next season.
The worst sleet seen for many years /
ncrusted everything here Thursday, and |
Tho limbs of many shade and fruit trees
we're broken under their icy burdens
Mr.. A. ID. McNair. OF New York. an
1ounces that he will deliver free lee
ure to farmers in this place next Tues
lay The lecture will be given IN the
courthouse. the subject being How TO
rertilize the Soil With Peas"
Among the prominent candidates whose
James we have heard mentioned In con-
lection with the appointment ~ a sue
essor to the late Mr.. J. r. Whitehead,
IS inspector OF the Planters Warehouse,
re Messrs. .ohn ID. Watkins. r. @. Por-
er. and Tucker Johnson.