New-York tribune., 1908-02-19
BLIZZARD In THE WEST
WOrst Storm an Yedrs-Iie-nP an
Chicago.

Chicago Feb. 1S-The most violent storm
that has visited Chicago In many years be-
gan to-day at o'clock in the morning, ana
tonight is raging with increasing violence, and
there is no prospect of lessening of its force
before morning.
BY 4 o'clock in the afternoon seven inches CT
snow had fallen, and it was still coming down
heavily. The wind at frequent intervals blew
with a velocity of fifty miles hour, and 1t
hurled the through the streets IN such
binding clouds that 1t was impossible to see for
a greater distance than half block, and often
the range of vision would be limited to a few
feet. A great number of accidents of minor
character were caused by collisions between
wagons and between wagons and streetcars. Up
to 6 o'clock o-night no serious casualties had
been reported although number of persons
had been injured by wagons, and by falls on the
pavements
At O'Clock. when the home going crowd
at It's thickest the wind blowing heavily
and the snow flying in such binding sheets
that 1t positively dangerous TO attempt to
cross Michigan avenue at its intersection with
either Jackson Boulevard Van Buren, street.
These crossings are used by thousands of per
sons every night to reach their homes in the
southern part of the city and in the suburbs by
means of the Illinois Central Railroad. 1t was
found necessary to station a large number of
city and park police at these corners to assist
women, and often it more than one officer
could do to pilot woman across without as
sistance. It out of the question for a
woman 10 cross the street by herself.
The street car companies and the elevated
roads Jared badly throughout he day, the
heavy increase of snow that came in the late
afternoon making desperate work for them.
Every available man and all the snow ploughs
were constantly kept at work keeping the tracks
clear. In the distant suburbs the trolley lines
operated with great difficulty because or
the constantly increasing drifts, and locomotion
became more difficult. II is estimated at the
weather bureau that the fall Of snow Will
amount to one foot more by morning.
One of the most tragic occurrences in con-
nection with the storm the wrecking In the
harbor at Waukegan of the fishing boat An
spach in which two lost their lives and
four others had narrow escapes from death
The boat left the harbor early in the day to
visit nets set ten miles out in Lake Michigan.
Caught In the storm on the return trip, the YES
sci fought the elements until 1t regained the
the harbor at o'clock in the evening, only to
be blown against protection wall and crushed
Captain Oliver Rubber, with five men, compos-
ing the crew, were thrown upon an ice pack
Four of the men succeeded in clinging TO the
ice, and were rescued Two slid into the water
and were drowned.
Omaha, Neb, Feb. 1S-A foot Of snow, drifted
four to six feet deep in many places, greeted
the people of Omaha to-day. Traffic IN the city
was practically at a standstill for the entire
afternoon. Trains from Western points were
from to eight hours late. Meagre reports
received here indicate the storm is general
throughout the state and is the worst for years.
Topeka Kan. Feb. 1S.-A blizzard prevails
over Kansas to-day. The Rock Island. however,
is running its passenger trains with double
header engines. In Jewell County the worst
storm of years is reported.
Des Moines, Iowa. Feb. 1S.-On Raccoon
River ice gorge six miles long has formed
just above the city and threatens serious flood.
City officials using dynamite TO blow up the
gorge. but with poor success. To-day a bllz
zard is raging throughout this part of the state.