The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-21

CLEVELAND, O., April 2O.-Northern
Ohio was today swept by fierce storm
Of wind and snow that Frustrated tele-
graph and telephone wires in all direc>
tions. The wind came from the north
and during the early hours of the day
reached velocity of ffty-five miles an
hour. All telegraphic communication
was severed between Cleveland and
points east and south. A few wires were
patched up to the west, but even these
were reported to be working slowly.
In some respects the storm was the
worst experienced during the entire win
ter. The heavy wet snow came down in
binding sheets and the streets in this
city were covered with Sush almost
ankle deep. Traffic on many street car
lines was badly delayed Telephone and
telegraph poles were blown across the
tracks and the trolley wires badly
tangled up. The police and fire alarm
wires were also carried down and some
sections of the city were cut off from
communication with the fire and police
signal exchanges.
NO WIRES EAST
Out of more than 100 wires connecting
Cleveland and Buffalo, not one was in
working order during the early hours of
today. The conditions between Cleveland
and Pittsburg, it was said were equally
had. Telegraph and telephone officials
declared that the storm has been the
most destructive experienced in a long
time
The long distance telephone lines were
reported down in every direction, there
being no communication with any out
side point
It will undoubtedly be many days be-
fore full repairs can be made to the
telegraph and long distance telephone
service Many poles are Frustrated.
IL
The electric lighting companies shut
off their current in some parts of the
city, owing to the general miX-up of
wires. Notwithstanding this precaution.
however, a number of persons received
severe shocks and several horses were
killed. James White contractor, living
at No. 8, Beaver street stepped on a
live wire on Broadway and was rendered
unconscious He was badly burned. On
the same thoroughfare a horse stepped
on a wire covered with slush and was
instantly killed. Subsequently two other
horses were killed by coming into contact
with live wires near the corner of Broad
way and Wilson avenue
Traffic on nearly all the steam roads
entering the city was delayed to a more
or less extent. In many cases the tracks
We're reported to be buried under deep
slush and it was found impossible to
make schedule time.
LAKE ERIE RACED.
Lake Erie was lashed into a wild fury
by the violent storm. Enormous waves
dashed over the harbor breakwater,
sending up spray to the height of 100 feet
or more.
crib 200 feet long and about 25 feet
wide, which was anchored at the end
of the east brealkwater, preparatory to
being sunk was torn from it's fastenings
ard driven ashore inside the west break
water. The crib crashed into the west
pier but little damage resulted.
Information from the surrounding
country districts indicates that the storm
was of unusual violence and wrought
much damage. In many places the snow
is reported foot deep on the level and
the roads have bean rendered almost M
passahle by huge drifts.
Electric railways connecting Cleveland
with nearby towns found it almost i'm
possible 20 operate cars. Some lines
were completely tied up.
The storm which at 10 o'clock gave
some evidence of subsidIng broke forth
with renewed violence towards noon.
The velocity Of the wind reached sixty
miles ali hour Records of the local
weather bureau show this to be one Of
the most severe storms in the history OF
the station.
RAILROADS BLOCKADED.
With the exception of the Lake Shore
and Nickel Plate, other railroads into
Cleveland were badly crippled, and in
many instances whereabouts of freight
trains which are supposed to have gone
onto sidings because of lost time, are
not known. Telegram ph wires on the Lake
Shore and Nickel Plate west of Ashtabula
to Chicago are working and trains on
this portion of these roads are on fairy
good time. East of Ashtabula and into
Buffalo the wires are down and trains are
from two to six hours late on both roads.
train on the Erie that runs to P It's
burg in three and a half hours required
seven hours today and between Cleve-
land and Leavittsburg, on the Erie. three
Engines were necessary to bring six
coaches into Cleveland in seven hours.
Erie conductors reported snow in the cuts
that reached to the windows of the
coaches. Trains on this road due in
Cleveland at II o'clock a. M. did not get
in till night. On the Pennsylvania snow
plows that were housed for the summer
were again put into service. East of
Cleveland to Buffalo trains on the Lake
Shore and Nickel Plate are running on
the block system. Many freight trains
on these roads are abandoned and ONLY
perishable freight is being moved The
village of Bedford O.. was cut off from
railway and telegraphic communication.
A heavy wet snow is still falling there.
Trains on three different roads due in
Cleveland before noon were stalled at
several points along the lines up to s
o'clock tonight.
The storm in Cleveland tonight con-
Gnues with unusual severity. A steady
downfall Of wet snow driven by high
wind continues.
The down town streets were practical
" deserted and little business was done.
Street car traffic had regained normal
conditions, but had little patronage
ALL APRIL RECORDS SURPASSED.
WOOSTER, O., April 20. Snow has
fallen here ineessantly for almost forty
eight hours and all records for heavy
snowfalls have been broken In MANY
places the snow is two to four feet deep
on the level.
ATHENS, O., April 20. The heaviest
April snow storm in fifty years has been