The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-08
Disaster and Beauty
Hand in Hand.
SLIPPERY SPENCER.
Telephone and Trolley Car
Service Disarranged.

Spencer, Jan. THE ice storm which
visited Spencer last night and this
morning, although not as bad as the
big ice storm last year, was quite dis
astrous. Telephone and telegraph wires
All down, electric cars way off time
Sidewalks covered with glare ice, large
limbs of shade and fruit trees broken
are only few of the many damaging re-
suits.
Eddie Norton, the local night opera
tor of the long distance telephone, and
overseer of all the telephone wires in
Spencer, the Brookfields and Warren,
was called up at O'Clock this morning,
and without a mouthful of breakfast
sent to Charlton to fix Up the wires
In that direction, which We're down.
From Charlton he was sent on to South
bridge, where he has been busy all day.
Mr.. Norton arrived home late tonight,
tired and hungry Before Mr.. Norton S
departure for Charlton he was ordered
by the telephone manager at SPRING
field to fix one of the main wires which
was down directly opposite the Massa-
soft hotel. The wire had fallen over
the Warren, Brookfield and Spencer
trolley wire, and was as lively as a
cricket sparks flying from it in every
direction. The young man assembled the
pole, and after much maneuvering, fin
ally placed the telephone wire back in
its position. Many who saw the oper-
alton say that it was one the cleverest
things they have ever seen done, as
well as one Of the most perilous
The local telephone office was unable
~ ne,fa on
about O'Clock this afternoon, and then
was obliged to telephone by way of
Southbridge The main line between
Worcester and Spencer is all out of
order, the wires are badly down, as
we'll as some of the poles. The line
west ,ehowever, is all clear.
Next to the telephone, the electric
cars seem to be the worst sufferers from
the storm. Last night on account OF the
slippery rails it was almost impossible
for the cars to move The Warren,
Brookfield and Spencer line did fairly
we'll up to $50, when the ice proved
too much for them and rendered them
almost useless
The Worcester and Suburban people
were far worse off. On this line the cars
ran fairly regular until 4 o'clock, when
they became stalled. The next car after
the o'clock car arrived in Spencer at
$40. The next car got in at about $40.
II took this car just an hour before II
reached the summit of East Main street
hill. J.. ii. Dennis told The Spy man
that he was on board car which took
just five hours to come from Worcester
TO Spencer Both roads are running
fairly we'll today, however, although of
course little late.
The sidewalks are in fearful shape,
being nothing but a sheet of glare ice.
AS a result of the icy sidewalks many
men, women and children have re-
ceived hard although not serious falls.
The trees are heavily laden with ice
and present one of the prettiest pic
lures nature has ever given to Spencer.
Although the ice on them makes a
beautiful picture, it nevertheless has
proved very destructive, as many large
limbs of fine shade and fruit trees have
been broken off by the weight,
One thing, nevertheless, that the
storm did make perfect was the sleigh
ing. Many sleighing parties took advan-
tage Of this and every available horse
and sleigh in town has been kept on
the go all day
John Sheedy, who resides on Elm
street, had his left hand badly bitten
this afternoon, by Connie Sulivan's
large bloodhound. Mr., Sheedy and the
dog are great friends and have been
together o good share OF the time. This
'cr'--sna nn they were walking up Wall