The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-08
The Heavy Fall Of Snow and High
Wind I'm Indianapolis Produce
Serious Effects.
CASES OF DESTITUTI0N FOUND
MANY CALLS UPON CHARITY ORGANI-
ZATION SOCIETY.
Local Coal and Gas Supplies Short
Sad Tale-Extent of the Storm
and Effects in Other States.

Early pedestrians down town yesterday
morning were confronted with the fore
runner of a blizzard which had its birth in
the Northwest. The wind did not need any
labels to tell of its errand. 1t came almost
at freezing point, bringing with it a driving
fall of snow. The wind continued through
out the entire day. 1t was not until the
middle of the afternoon that a slight re-
spite was secured. This was only for an
hour or less, when it again began. The
fall of snow continued all day and through
the night without cessation. 1t acted as a
deterrent to business, for many women and
men did not venture out unless through
necessity. People ran up and down the
streets in order to escape the frigid blasts
that swept across the city.
The bowling wind carried before it small
flecks of snow that struck pedestrians in
the face, causing many to say unkind
things of Mr.. Blythe and other weather
manufacturers. Being the first real bliz-
zard day of the winter it was discussed
by old and young. Some declared that In
dianapolis had but a small touch of the
great blizzard that was yet to come. The
thermometer did not at any time during
the day fall far below the freezing point
The velocity of the wind, however caused
many to think that zephyrs from the north
pole had invaded Indianapolis and sur
rounding country. The wind ragged at its
height about O'Clock yesterday morning
when the advance blow of the blizzard
reached Indianapolis. 1t came at a time
when thousands of workingmen and women
stood on street corners waiting for belated
street cars. Men hoped about, while wom-
en- sought shelter in doorways and behind
crowds of men. Toward midday the tenn
perature rose and the wind slackened The
snow continued to fall, however, and the
light wind that blew made walking un-
pleasant. Toward evening the wind again
came up and the temperature fell
BAD ON STREET CARS.
At o'clock last night. and until later in
the night, the street car service was prac-
tically paralyzed. No progress could be
made on account of the slippery rails and
the continued fall of snow In the north
part of the city nearly all the cars after s
o'clock were snow-bound. Workmen who
had long distances to go were forced to
walk to their homes after waiting on street
corners for nearly an hour
The blizzard when it struck the central
States yesterday morning almost paralyzed
traffic. Not only in the cities were street
cars tied up. but passenger and freight
trains were many hours behind. Passenger
trains have not been running on schedule
time for several weeks. The blizzard yes
terday acted setback to many trains
and mails were late i'm arriving at this
point Freight trains also held out ON
account OF the severe weather.
The greatest hardships caused by the
present cold snap fall on the poor under the
care of the Charity Organization When
the wind began to blow yesterday morning
and the mercury 10 drop Secretary Grouf'
of the Charity Organization Society saw
ahead of him a hard days work He had
| no sooner got seated at his desk than both
| .teIephones began TO ring. They brought
| appeals from many people ior coal and
| food The agents OF the society were or
| the alert and during the early hours of
| the morning they were working energet-
| ieally among unfortunates who were ash
| ing aid from the society. In many cases
coal and wood were asked In othsr-cases