The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-02-06


Chicago, February 4.-Chicago was
the scene today and last night of the
worst blizzard in years. Wires we're
down in every direction and all teie-
graphic lines except those of the Chi
cago- Milwaukee road were unworkahle,
as was the long distance phone wires,
except one line to Omaha. Chicago for
hours this morning was cut off rom
news of the outside world. Nearly
foot of snow fell today and last ght.
A rain and sleat storm, accompanied
by high wind accomplished the havoc.
Street car traffic is demoralized end
incoming trains are reported late.
The storm continues today. hampar-
ing the work of the crews sent out
in every direction by the telegraph
companies. Two lives were lost aid
numerous accidents have been re-
ported.
Damage in Louisville.
Louisville, KY, February "A heavy
rain which set in over Louisville last
evening continued unremitringly dur
ing the night, accompanied by wind
which at one time reached a velocity OF
forty-six miles an hour. The electric
currents of the Louisville Railroad
company. the Citizens General Electric
company and the Postal Telegraph
company became crossed during the
night, burning out the dynamo plant
Of the telegraph company and working
minor damage at the power plants.
Falling trolley wires caused a temror-
ary suspension of street railway traffic
on the lines.
The telegraph companies are without
communica ton to Chicago and tht IT
facilities to other points are seriously
impaired.
The temperature has fallen very
rapidly in the Mississippi valley and
the west and is falling rapidly In the
Ohio valley and Tennessee.
Moderately heavy rainfall has &C
CURED in the Ohio and Mississippi val
leys and was accompanied by high
winds. Snow blizzards are reported
through the west and northwest and
1t is showing this morning in northern
Indiana and Illinois.
The isolation of CHICAGO from the
world, telegra phically. which has not
happened in many years is caused CIV
heavy sleet storm which extends
northward from Monon, Ind. to the
lakes Squads of linemen have b"cr
dispatched by various railroads, tale-
graph and telephone companies 10 re-
pair the damage.
All Wires Down.
Knoxville. Tenn, February "A very
heavy rain and wind storm prevailed
here last night lasting until early this
morning. The velocity of the vino
reached sixty miles an hour, the high
est since the local weather bureau was
established. Extensive damage was
caused to electric wires and for severa
hours this city was cut IF entirely
from telegraph and telephone commun
lea ton with the outside world. Man!
local light. power and phone lines were
affected The Tennessee river was -four
feet above low water this morning.
Reports from flood warning station:
on streams above here indicate rail
fall of one inch throughout east II
nessee yesterday and last night. TINS
the weather bureau thinks Will caus
a rise of several additional feet in tn
Tennessee river here, though no sarlou
food is anticipated. Yesterday an
last nights rain fall was ga inches.
Tennessee River Rising.
Chattanooga. Tenn. February 4-Th
storm which has prevailed throughou
this section for the past two or III, G
the rain fell in torrents, the win
reaching almost a cyclonic velocity.
telegraph and telephone wires AZ
badly demoralized. The rainfall fC
the few hours during the deluge was ::
of an inch The wind reached a We
iocity of forty-six miles an hour, ccr
tinuing so for two hours.
The Tennessee river as result
the heavy rains during the past fe
days is rising rapidly. all tributari
pouring in volumes of water. To Ia
Is clear and pleasant with light VIII
CIoud-Burst Causes n Flood.
Middlesboro, KY, February 4
cloud burst in the mountains last mig
precipitated 4 flood down Yellow Cree
valley. Two houses were flooded D
yond the railroad track. and Sln
fencing was washed away.
Several trestles of the Middlesoo
belt railroad were undermined al
trains were delayed.
Many Bridges Washed Away.
Memphis, Tenn, February 4-Repor
from central Mississippi state that I
heavy rains of yesterday caused co
siderable damage to bridges.
At Hazelhurst. a large steel brid
was washed away and several wood
bridges were destroyed. The wealth
In Memphis and vicinity today Is Gle
and cool.