The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-14

dismissing their forces. At the city hall
the same conditions prevailed and no
courts were he'd, while public schools
made no attempt to hold sessions, the few
pupils who reached the buildings being
promptly sent home. The schools will re-
main closed tomorrow
Toward afternoon, when the railroad
companies were forced TO admit that their
traffic was practically abandoned, the city
was forced to the realization that a famine
OF coal and provisions was impending. The
price of everything in the eating line went
soaring skyward. At the markets prices
were advanced from % to 100 per cent when
the scantiness of the supply and immen-
slty OF the demand became manifest. Or
ders from nearby towns poured in and
gave fresh impetus TO the advance. The
same conditions apply to the coal supply,
which is perilously slender. The black
diamonds are being sold grudgingly by the
bushel and dealers say the stock on hand
is exceedingly limited, while railroad con-
ditions make the outlook for shipments
into the city very gloomy. 1t was an
nounced this afternoon that the gas supply
was being rapidly exhausted from the res
ervoir tanks and the gas companies sup
ply Of coal was so slender that it would
have to be husbarded most carefully. Con-
sequently the pressure was reduced. Many
Of the street lamps were not lighted. The
electric lighting companies, however, are
as yet maintaining a service.
The police report that the condition of
the really poor. particularly the large col
ored population, is pitiful in the extreme.
Every effort is being made by the author
tiles and charitable associations to ale
viate the suffering, but owing to the ter
rible weather conditions but little can be
accomplished. There has not been during
the day a moments cessation Of the snow
fall, and with the gale prevailing tonight
it is dangerous for anyone but a strong
man to venture out Many persons have
bee overcome by the cold but no fatalities /
have been reported within the city limits. |
1t Is feared, however, that there has been |
loss of If in the adjacent country.
At nightfaH the streets were deserted by |
both pedestrians and teams. The drifting |
snow has rendered most of the wide ave- |
nues and uptown streets impossible, and |
four horses to single wagons endeavoring
to break through with supplies is a SOM !
have been resorted to and all day they |
could be seen struggling under double bur
dens Of provisions or sacks Of coal To-
night all entertainments have practically |
been given up or postponed. Two of the
largest theaters did not open their doors.
One Of the most serious phases of the
whole situation is the danger from fires.
The fire department is rendered practically
useless by reason Of the deep snow and the
low water pressure. which in high points
Of the city, has failed entirely.
The Potomac is frozen from its source
to Point Lookout, where it empties into
the Chesapeake. The ice varies from ten
to fifteen inches in thickness, and naviga-
ton has been suspended. The Alexandria
ferries were forced TO abando their trims
some days ago and tonight the Norfolk
boats did not attempt the passage. The
railway mail service is paralyzed by the
storm and mails are at a standstiIl
throughout the Atlantic region. No
through trains arrived here from the west
over the Pennsylvania road during the iav
and only one over The Baltimore and Ohio.
The only outbound train started on the
Pennsylvania IS an extra. pulling out at
i;-e o'clock this afternoon for the east. On
the Baltimore and Ohio road only through
trains arrived from the east. All CHEESE
peake and Ohio trains were abandoned
and there were no trains either sent .ou+ or
over the Southern and the At
latte coast line