The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-05
It WAS BITTER COLD
Longest Stretch of Cold Weather
Butte Ever Experienced.
MANY SHEEP WERE KILLED
The Loss Is Already Assuming Large
Proportions - Sutfocation Accom-
plished What the Cold Did
Not-Trains Delayed.

The weather clerk predicted fair and
| warmer weather yesterday The day
| was fair and the thermometer indicated
a rise in temperature of about IL or
| II degrees. Still it was bitter cold all
| day in Butte. AS far as the average
yesterday than it was the day before,
when it was 80 below, the indications of
the thermometer Notwithstanding. This
| is the longest severe cold spell Butte
has experienced in years, and unless
it breaks up to-day it will hold up des-
perately close to the record
Passengers from Spokane say that
city is in the throes of blistering cold
snap, the mercury lowering around the
zero mark, wind blowing, which is cold
for Spokane. The trains over the range
to Montana make slow time on some
parts of the road, where the snow is
piled high. From Hope to Missoula
little regard is paid to the time table.
A piercing current of air sweeps across
the prairie lands between Montana and
ST. Paul and in places snow breaks
count for nothing, and consequently
the snow plows are working double
shifts Sheep losses in the Northwest
have already assumed large proper
tions, and Montana sheepmen are
among the big losers. The sheep hud-
die together in such mass that suf-
location accomplishes what frost does
not.
Eousekeepers in Butte do not remem-
Der having used so much coal in any
one previous week as they have had
occasion to burn since last Saturday.
These people are warm, and as long
as their money holds out they will be
out of danger But there is class of
people in Butte who do not keep as
warm as some others do. This is the
hobo element. The very poor families
of Butte are to a very great extent
looked after by the charity societies
and benevolent individuals But the
festive hobo finds comfort only be-
hind the big stove in the saloon, which
some people would see closed. You may
take walk over the city and visit 200
saloons. At midnight you will find in
each one Of those saloons lowering
about the stove and other warm places,
all the, way from half dozen to a
dozen men. They will tell you if YOU
care to',,ask them that they have not
cent OF no place to sleep, and many
of them may be hungry. They manage
to live some way. Many of them, they
VIII admit, do not want to work. while
as many more would jump at the
chance to earn a dollar. Among all
these unfortunates not dozen
overcoats can be seen. The reguia ton
suit is comprised OF a summer cheviot
coat, pair Of pants, fringed at both
ends. negligee shirt and a necktie.
It would be difficult to describe the
hats and shoes. To these shivering be-
ings the saloon with. it's big stove,
benches, beer kegs and chairs, is a
maven and its proprietor a good sa-
marian. ii Had the doors of the sa-
looms closed with the drop of the mer-
curry there would, be to-day state of
affairs existing in Butte which the cit
liens would ratherynot witness. Truth
will not be violated when it is said
that the saloons of Butte during the
past week have sheltered 1000 desti-
tute men.
The young Christians of the city call
ed number of meetings a couple OF
months ago to take steps towards the
organization of a Young Mems Chris
tan association. One Of the principal
objects of the organization was to Sc
cure large and comfortable rooms
where strangers could go and find a
few of the comforts of home. The mat
ter resolved itself into an executive
committee, and as far as the public
is concerned the executive committee
still lives, but the Y. NJ. c. A. is an I'M
known quantity. This winter has af-
forded excellent opportunities for Y
M. c. A. work, and for a time it look
ed as though the Sunday school ele-
ment would join hands and accomplish
much, but since the holidays that spirit
of good fellowship seems to have taken
it's place alongside of the Christmas
trees that We're tossed into the back
yard as soon as Santa Claus perform
ed his mission.