Evening journal., 1909-03-04
WIRES DOI N In
FIERCE STORM
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tracks Through these obstructions the
train crew had to cut and tug and clear
way 1t was one Of the most strenuous
experiences a railroad crew ever had,
but Conductor Trice and his men finally
cleared their way through the snow. and
the obstructing poles and picked their
way into Wilmington at 94O o'clock this
morning. Just twenty minutes short of
twelve hours to make the 10 miles from
Washington.
The arrival OF this train meant much to
the railroad officials. With wires down
and no communication they did not know
whether a wreck had occurred down the
division. They knew that they had sent all
regular trains and thirty-fve special
trains through Wilmington to Washington
in the past twenty-four hours without a
hitch or an accident OF any kind, when
the storm descended upon the country and
crippled the service. Whether some train
had bumped into another during the storm
or as a result Of It last night or early
this morning between this city and WASH
ington the officials only could surmise.
So when Conductor Trice's train OF emp
tics" arrived and he told Of his expert
ences in fighting wreckage all the way
up the anxious railroad officials breathcd
sigh OF relief
The next train over the Pcnnsy from
Washington to reach Wilmington was
composed Of empty coaches and was in
charge OF Conductor Woodward.
Hurrylng Work of Repair.
General Superintendent Il. +. Brooks
and Superintendent W. n. Barnard Of the
Ia
looking after railroad arrangements. The
company rushed thirty-hve men from this
city and one hundred men from Philadel-
phia to points down the Maryland division
this morning to assist in repairing the
wires and to get a temporary wire service
to Baltimore and Washington. Assistant
Supervisor Smith is in charge Of the re-
pair gangs. A construction train also was
rushed down the line. Assistant Train
master Minnick went along with it.
The railroad officials hoped to have
wire service with Baltimore resumed
by o'clock this afternoon.
Trains Run Cautiously.
Trains were being run cautiously all
the way up the division, and in many
places trains were stopped at inter-
walls for safety. How many trains are
held up along the division can only be
guessed Up to noon no accidents had
been reported. After the 4-~,--
Elkton the running is better, as there
Is wire service from there TO VIII
mngton. The greatest damage seems
to have been done south Of the Sus-
quehanna
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company has suffered the same incon-
yenience due to its poles and wires
being down. The 3. and O.s poles are
not so near the tracks, however, and
in falling they did not block trains.
The company has been unable TO get
wire service through to Baltimore or
Washington, and the same safe and
cautious methods OF running from
block TO block are being followed by
the train crews.
The company has rushed a force of
| linemen down the division to try 10
restore wire commpnication The FIRST
train from Washington over the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad that left the
capital since last night arrived at ten
o'clock this morning II left Washing
ton at midnight and picked its way
through the snow, without train orders
or signal lights TO guide the crews and
arrived safely in this city without ac-
cident. 1t was folled by second train
within half hour. Other trains ar
rived about noon. and the through pss.
sengers reported Washington in tho
grip OF blizzard. The passengers were
as anxious as anybody in Wilmington
for news.
Severe Storm Down State.
Down the State a severe storm was
raging this morning The Delaware
Railroad trains from down the state
were on time. In Sussex county the
snow storm was particularly severe.
Seatord, Delmar and vicinity had a
violent electrical storm last night, and
lightning and thunder ragged. No seri.
Gus damage was reported. Former
Northumberland l. 7. Parker, con-
ductor on the Delaware Railroad. said
the snow was falling all the way up
from Delmar this morning when his
train came uD the division.
The Wilmington City Railway and
the Peoples Railway Companies had
their service crippled awhile by the
snow. Men and cars We're kept busy
during the early morning hours clear
ing the tracks, and cars We're moving
this morning as close to schedule as
4 passible.
The Washington street division OF
the Wilmington City Railway was put
out Of service for awhile by the storm.
Cars on the line that made the mid
night trips we're caught in drifts At
Twenty second and Jefferson streets.
and were stalled there all night The
crews spent the night in the cars and