The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-12

The weather bulletins received by
Weather Director w. H. Blythe in the In
dianapois Office at Z o'clock yesterday
morning, indicated the approach from the
northwest of one of the hercest blizzards
OF the winter and stated that a fall of tenn
perature in Indianapolis and vicinity of 20
degrees was certain. Before the day was
over the bulletins were partially verified
as the velocity of the wind reached thirty
miles an hour during the afternoon and the
temperature fell to two degrees above zero
by o'clock
AT noon yesterday the Thermometer
showed temperature of Ii degrees above
zero at the signal station of the Weather
Bureau on the roof of the Majestic build
ing. The wind was more from the west
than northwest, but gradually shifted 10
the north accompanied by driving. blind
ing snow. By three o'clock fall of several
degrees was noticed and at o'clock the
official temperature was given as nine de-
grees above AT seven the weather man
reporter five degrees dbove zera-->sS-<>
thermometer steadily. yet gradually lower
Ing The velocity of the wind was much
less and the cold was of the piercing va
riety that drove people within doors and
only allowed the more hardy TO brave its
rigors.
For the twentyfour hours ending at mid
night Saturday, central Indiana and Ohio
were in the center of marked depression.
The atmospheric conditions was such as 10
permit fall OF snow and further east the
LOUISVILLE, washington and other points
the temperature was above 20 and no pros
pect of colder weather was indicated in the
"A IN he
Northwest blizzard was observed to be
approaching and stations situated liko
Duluth and St Paul, Mimi. and Bismarck,
n. d., reported that the temperature was
II degrees below zero.
The steady. persistent northwest wind,
cold and keen, drove the mercury slowly
down until Mr.. Blythe predicted al 9 o'clock
last night that by this morning IL would
be six degrees below zero. The coldest day
previously recorded was Saturday morning
when at o'clock the temperature was
$40 above zero.
FOUR INCHES OF SNOW.
During the twenty-four hours four inches
of snow fell, as measured officially at the
signal station. In many localities the high
wind drifted the snow in places until IL was
several feet deep. and the ground was
denuded of its white covering in other
places from the same cause.
The serious effects of the sudden drop in
the temperature were many. The snow ef-
fectually blockaded street-car traffic during
the early morning hours. Despite the
heroic efforts Of the company's workmen 10
keep the tracks clear the wind and weather
combined to defeat them The snow banked
in front of the cars almost as rapidly as Il
was swept away. and all of the cars. be-
ginning with those of the night lines, be-
gan to lose time and miss scheduled trips
during the morning. In the early morning
the cars starting from the barns were
handicapped what supposed to be
cleared tracks by drifts of snow which
made running on time cards impossible and
efforts to continue trips ridiculous.
The interference with street-car traffic
did not affect the community to any great
extent. Sunday, the day of rest for work.
ingmen, gave the street cars a rest. and
there was little complaint TO confuse the
street-car company. There was no particu-
lar reason for men TO get down town. Al
though the street cars had difficulty before
noon they were running on something of
schedule and seemed to be handling the
fares without great difficulty
The snow in many places was piled high
on the sidewalks. No efforts were made 10
sweep the walks. the stores were closed
and the janitors enjoying Sunday rest.
Efforts were made by the street clean
of the streets of the snow. Monument place
was a good example of the futility OF the
effort. huge snow plow drawn by four
horses and manned by four men circled
the place three or four times In pushing
the snow from the cutters and passed over
the same spot at each circumference. drag
ging the same amount of snow. The wi, I'D
was responsible for the condition aid
caused the sweepers trouble.
The blizzard caused great suffering. IL
was not necessary yesterday 10 be poor
TO feel the pinch OF the coal famine. Many
persons without the foresight to lay in
their coal supply were caught unawares
and suffered all day and night. In some
of the public buildings and apartment
houses there was some discomfort. although
in this class OF homes preparation had
been made.
In the poorer districts the suffering was
keen. The people Of the city who are alive
10 the true condition OF some of the resi-
dents OF Indianapolis can feadily UNDER
stand the problem which confronted heads
of families. In the poorer quarters of the
West and South Sides Of the city the situa-
ton was as bad as IL could be. without any
relief in sight.