Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-02-09
GREAT BLIZZARD RACES
Vast Section Of Country IN Grasp
Of Fierce Storm.
NEW YORK CITY is TIED UP
Martinsburg Within the Zone of the
Storm and Great Snowfall Is
Witnesses.

SIOFn anu IICdh S1ONsialt -
Witnessed.
During the "a hours ending at 8
o'clock Tuesday morning this city was
in the grip OF the worst blizzard that
has swept over this section Of the
country since the memorable storm of
1903, and during the period above
stated there was a greater fall Of snow
than occurred in like period of time
for many years.
The storm began early on Monday
morning, and from that time until late
the following morning there was a
constant, persistent and heavy fall of
snow of a light, feathery character.
that sifted into every nook and corner
and made life generally disagreeable
for all, especially those whose duties
compelled them to be outdoors. An
unusual feature of the heavy fall OF
snow was the decided arop in the tenn
perature during Monday night, the
mercury in the government instru-
ment at the home of Mr.. George Van.
Metre registering Is degrees above ze-
70 at the time the snowfall was the
heaviest
Fortunately the snowfall was not ac-
companied by high wind and to this
alone is due the fact that nearly all
the county roads are open to travel.
the snow lying in almost an even
sheet, with very little drifting. Had
high wind prevailed for even a
short time, travel in any direction out
OF this city would have been almost
impossible.
GGreatest in Many Years.
The government instrument at the
home of Mr.. VanMetre registered to-
tai fall of snow for the "a hours of IL
inches, which, with the Shy already
pn the ground from the previous fall,
made total of IS inches at o'clock
this morning. This is the heaviest fall
OF snow iii Berkeley county in many
years. In 1893 a total of u IL inches
fell during the whole of the month of
February; in February, 1894, there
was total Of II IL. inches, and in
1899 there was total If 30 inches of
snow in February. Neither of these
years, however, witnessed as great an
individual fall as the present
When the residents of the city
,ewoke this morning the scene pre-
ssnaAd was one of decided arctic
aspect. Sidewalks and porches that
had beene swept clear of the snow on
Monday evening, were covered to al
depth of six or seven inches, and in |
Iaany places along the streets an un.
broken surface OF snow foot deep
almost defied the efforts OF those
whose work called them out to pillow
through 1t. Many persons living con.
siderable distance from their employ
ment were compelled to remain at
home until, paths had been broken, and
seH@ah9fkne mills and factories werei
Compelled to operate with greatly re-
duced forces.
FRr 8 O'Clock, however, most OF thel
sidewalks had been at least partially
cleared of the heavy masses or snow,
and shortly afterwards the sun came
out, warming the atmosphere and
packing the snow and making the sit
uation generally more bearable. The
temperature went up with a rush, the
mercury registering 80 degrees above
zero at noon, a rise of 22 degrees inl
six hours.
Railroad Traffic Blocked.
Traffic on both the Baltimore and
Ohio and the Cumberland Valley rail-
roads was delayed by the storm The
delay on the Cumberland Valley was
chiefly due to the trouble experienced
at Winchester and Harrisburg in get
ting trains started. The early morning
train from Winchester was about so
minutes late, while those from the
north were also delayed, one reaching
this point an hour and twenty minutes
behind schedule time. The road, how
ever, was kept fairly open during the
night by the frequent running of the
freight trains. No further difficulty isl
experienced on this road as the result
of the storm.
/. Conditions on the Baltimore & Ohio
We're decidedly bad. Both the east
aud westbound trains were held up for
.ifrours by blockades, and the paper and
mail train from the east, due here at
IL: 10. did not arrive until noon, nearly
3 fiye hours late. Other trains We're al
most as late, and many persons who
INTENDED leaving the city for other
ep0ints over the Baltimore & Ohio
abandoned their trips after ascertain
sxug the conditions along the line. In