Middletown transcript., 1910-01-01
THE SNOW STORM
Delaware SnOw Bound by the Biggest
Storm Experienced Ia Years


Storm Experienced In Years
The snow storm which struck this sec.
ton on the afternoon Of Christmas Day
was one OF tia heaviest experienced in
years, and the blockade resultant was
complete. Sunday morning there was
over two feet OF snow on the level and in
places it had drifted TO five or six feet. 1t
was impossible for even the milkmen
to make their rounds Sunday morning,
and there was small milk famine all over
town.
No attempt was made 10 break any OF
the streets Sunday, aud the same condi-
ton practically prevailed Mondav. On
Tnesday several teams from the country
reached she creamery with milk, few
sleighs ventured out, but the blockade Of
all the county roads remained intact.
All over town heavy limbs oftrees were
broken by the weight Of the snow, and
several awnings were crushed aud broken.
The railroad blockade was complete
and few trains came through Monday.
In fact, Saturday nights midnight train,
southbound, did not arrive here ill Mon-
day afternoon, with Ihe passengers nearly
famished.
Buildings Damaged
The snow was heavy and roofs were in
danger OF being crushed, but she only
ones to suffer to any extent was at the
hot house Of Mr.. E. ]. Steele ON West
Main street, and the large agricultural
warehouse of Davis Bros, on South Broad
street. One Of Mr.. Steele's hot houses
was crushed by the snow and his loss in
flowers will amount to several hundred
dollars. He will rebuild Immediately.
The roof of Davis BioR. warehouse was
considerably damaged, bHt force OF men
saved the building from any serious in
jury. Mr.. steeIe's loss was the most
serious aud lie has the deepest sympathy
of all,
ssysn Trains Delayed
Railroad traffic Was al a sIsudstilI Oh
Tuesday morning aud had been since
Monday afternoon aud the indications
we're that matters would remain in
that condition the balance OF the day,
because of an accident just north Of
Middletown, which befeIl the sOuthbOund
train, arriving here at ala O'Clock Tues.
day afternoon, but one Of the sidings was
opened aud traffic north and south was
resumed at ll.30 Tuesday. Because Of
the accident seven trains were stalled aI
thia point, Each Of the seven trains
was. well filed with passengers, who
we're taken care of. They were provided
Sith sandwiches and coffee, aud many Of
them took meals at the Hotels, and as she
cars we've warm, there was no actual suf-
fering.
The trouble was primarily due to the
derailing Of part Of the train which LETT
Wilmington at 2.53 o'clock which, be.
cause Of the snow in the switches, left
the tracks at switch near the station.
Immediately after the accident hap
peued the railroad company brought 9
powerful derrick car to the scene from
the yards at Clayton, but the derrick had
Just gotten to work when the table SUD.
porting it snapped, rendering the big lift
useless Jacks were resorted to aud the
men at work did everything possible to
replace the derailed cars with them, but
it was slow work. The effort continued
all Of Tuesday night but without success.
II was particularly unfortunate that the
trouble referred tn above shrnld have oc-
cured eettss en- en- tlae main lie II lie nslnMar
railroad, and at point where traffic was
blocked in both directions. The trsiu
which WAS derailed was No. 80. The
track appeared TO be in good shape and
the run was made without incident, the
train arriving here about 4 o'clock. As
was abont to proceed south, however, at
that point, a,crossover switch, which bad
been choked with ioe and snow ,caused the
locomotive to leave the tracks. A crane was
summoned from Clayton, which arrived
after some delay. Meanwhile, about 80
O'Clock, train No. 45 arrived, and in sue
cession came train No. 81, aud No. Al,
and all were hdd up Jon the upper
side Of the deFailsd train. The orth.
bound trains stalled at the scene Of the
accident we're Nos. As, 46 and SO, Norfolk
express, due here at 1923. All of these
trains were compelled to spend the night
above and below Middletown station,