Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-06
IN GRASP OF A STORM
National Capital Visited by
Heavy Fall of Snow.
INTERFERES WITH TRAFFIC
Seventeen Gangs of Men at Work
Cleaning Streets.
ACCIDENTS TO INDIVIDUALS
Lower Temperature Predicted for
Tonight-Expected Freeze of
the Potomac River.
ACCIDENTS TO INDIVIDUALS

the Fotomac River.
The merry jingling of sleigh bells was
heard upon the streets of Washington last
night and today. The picture presented,
with the snow piled high on sidewalks,
roadways. roofs and caves. was a visible
reminder of the old-fash:oned winters OF
long ago. when snowfalls were the rule
and not the exception. as they are in these
twentieth century days.
Some of the sleiEhs were covered with
dust and rust as result of their long
sleep. but they were promptly busted and
rubbed off by willing hands and soon took
their places in the moving pictures of real
winter as they flew along the broad ave-
nues and streets Of the city with their
jolly. laughing crews. Twenty years ago.
with such a snow as the present an old
timer said. the thoroughfares would have
been crowded with sleighs but in recent
years there has been so little of the
beautiful and the snowfalls have been
so limited in both number and quantity
that many of those who possessed
sleighs have disposed of them. In the
language Of a liveryman who kept a big
supply of the vehicles on hand. they
Children Have Merry Time.
Thousands of Washington boys are the
proud pOssessors of sleds, and last night
and today these sliders were in evidence
all over town and in the suburbs.
Wherever there was slope or hill there
could be found boys and girls galore en-
gagged in the exhilarating sport of coast
ing.
Many poor men found that 1t was not an
ill wind. although it was a, chilling one.
that propelled the snowstorms over from
the icy northwest: At the, peep o dawn.
this morning white and co1ored men and
boys were out with brooms and snow
shovels earning money clearing away the
accumulation of snow from the sidewalks.
The total fall of snow was about seven
inches on the level. and it continued about
twelve hours steadily. At times the
streets presented the appearance of being
bliZZard-swept, as piercing north winds
swept over. carrying the snow along In
fiurries. The free lodging houses were be-
sisged early in the evening by homeless
men and boys. and many Of the unfortu-
mates were cared for. although some were
turned away because of lack of room.
Should the present severe weather con-
tinue it is said to be the intention of GER
tain philanthropic citizens to call upon
the District Commissioners and request
them to make some sort of temporary
provision for housing homeless and hun
cry men and boys who cannot be cared
for at the municipal lodging house and
similar institutions.
Cleaning the Streets.
John T. Twohey, superintendent of
street cleaning. before 8 O'Clock this
morning had seventeen gangs of men.
more than 400 individuals, at
work clearing the snow from the cross
walks, cutters and sewer traps In the
downtown section of the city. They will
be engaged all day in the downtown sec
ton and tomorrow morning will start
work in the other sections of the city and
in the suburbs. Mr.. Twohey expects to
have everything in good order for traf-
fic and pedestrians by o'clock tomorrow
afternoon.
The act of Congress Of March =, 1885.
restricts the District In cleaning snow
and, ice from cross walks to width of
ten feet and cutters to a width of one
foot
The fall of snow yesterday was the most
expensive 30 far this season. Mr.. Twohey
expects It to cost about $1,000, which Is
nearly one-third the amount of the an
nual snow and ice fund. of which $500
has already been expended.
Storm General on Potomac.
The snow storm was general the entire
length of the Potomac, and while 1t has
not yet made any changes in the Ice con-
ditions, with the coming of the cold
weather predicted by the weather bureau
for tonight 1t will freeze and add to the
thick ice already on the. river.
The steamer from Norfolk is reported
to have run through heavy snow storm
for several hours last night. and to have
found floating ice in the river as far down
as Ragged Point. She arrived here this
practically on time. however. The
ferry steamer between this city and Alex
andria is making trips. but the Ice and
snow on the river have interfered some
what with her schedule. In spite of the
warmer weather of today the ice-cold
water has prevented the snow lying In
1t from melting and 1t is ready to solidify
as soon as the temperature drops below
the freezing point. At present there Is
but little indication o; an early resump-
ton Of general naviga ton on the Potomac.
The Potomac river at WilliamspOrt. Md,
Is reported frozen for the first time In
several years. At Two Locks the river Is
six to eight inches thick. The farmers
along the river are taking advantage of
the freeze to cut and store the ice for
summer use.
Reports Of Accidents.
Albert Sillers an attorney -at-law, met
with a serious accident yesterday after
noon while in front of the Juvenile Court
He slipped on the icy sidewalk and fell.
but had no idea at the time that he had
been badly hurt. After leaving court and
starting to return to his Office he had an
other fall Later he was surprised to
learn he had sustained fracture of his
left arm.
Miss Della Blanchard of 1850 Monroe
street slipped and fell last night while
near her home and injured her left side
Mrs. Gunsop. whose home is at 1O:, 9th
street. fell while near the corner OF Sth
and streets yesterday afternoon and
sustained a slight injury to her arm She
was removed to her home In private
Miss Alice Moore Of 1852 University
place slipped on the icy pavement at 7th
and G streets yesterday afternoon and
injured her side.
While the storm was at it's height last
night an elderly man called at police
headquarters and asked for assistance.