The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1904-02-18
Paducah Escapes Another Elk.
perience With Sleet Storm.
Slight Moderation Results in Rain,
Which Prevents Freeze and
Much Damage.
SLICK STREETS DANGEROUS

many people touhy enVleu the
trough shod" hack horses, for walk
ing has been very uncertain. Late
yesterday afternoon the streets and
sidewalks became q sheet of ice, and
there is no telling how bad il would
have become had it not rained during
the night and destroyed the ice to
some extent. It was feared for o time
that another sleet storm was upon us,
and the street car company operated .
car all night to keep the water from
freezing to the wires and by the great
weight snap them.
IL was the first time in some time
that the boys could skate on streets
and sidewalks, and reminded citizens
of the times fifteen or twenty years
ago. when skating on the streets was q
psstime frequently enjoyed during a
winter but IN late years almost IN.
known.
The latest is "have you an accident
policy?" Pedestrians on the streets
cut up very funny capers-to every
body but themselves, but there have
been but few serious accidents, result
ing from falls on the slippery streets
and pavements.
Many business men sprinkled salt
in front of their places of business and
melted the thin crust of ice but in
some portions of the city the pave
ments are in such dangerous condi
ton that the streets had to be resorted
to for traffic, and these was bad
enough. Although muddy and wet
the streets were taken to with . will
and the pavements resembled a school
house on Saturday.
In the railroad yards the switchmen
are working under difficulties and
making up freight trains was hindered
to a great degree this morning. In
switching the switohmen had to fee
their way about and no time was lost
Some attempted hanging on the real
end of box cars and jumping off at thu
switch, but a few hard falls on tn,
slippery and uncertain footing afforded
by the ice covered ground, was warn
ing sufficient to take no more risks.
Street car traffic was delayed lit
tie last night by the ice coating form
ing on the trolley wires and continual
ly keeping the trolley in the air.
School children were late this morn
ing in their efforts TO make the usual
progress. Those who live in the out.
skirts of the city required more than
twice the ordinary time to reach their
schools, and when the bell sounded
calling the pupils together for study,
number of those in the primary
grades were absent, some remaining
away afraid to risk the ice and some
being delayed in walking.
Chief Wood, of the fire department,
and the telephone and telegraph men
who had such hard times two years
ago because Of the sleet storm, say
that Paducah had close call from an
-, l. N;nht
To produce results such as those felt
here two winters ago. it is necessary
to drizzle and freeze. One degree
warmer makes rain, and one degree
colder makes snow or sleet.. The
water collects about wires and other
objects and freezes and in . short time
becomes very heavy, breaking stout
poles, wires and the limbs of trees.
Had it not suddenly moderated
slightly last night, Paducah would
this morning have found herself prob
ably without electric power or light of
any description, and fully half the
damage done two years ago would
have been done last night.
As it is, however. there has been
very little damage. The telegraph
companies had some trouble early in
the morning, but it did not last.
The telephone companies had prac-
tically none. and neither did any OF
the other electric light or power com
pauies. ..a