The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1916-02-03
NORTHWEST is
HELD TIGHT in
STORMS GRASP
Heavy Shows Demoralize Busi-
ness and Bring Transporta-
ti0n to a Standstill
MORE SNOW is THE FORECAST
Storm Causes No End of Inconven-
fences But Brings No Serious
Results Locally

With the entire Northwest in the
grip of a severe snow storm, with 20
inches of snow on the ground here
and with no thru train service on any
Of the three railroads, Kennewick is
today more nearly isolated from the
outside world than ever before. In
spite of the severity of the weather,
the Kennewick valley is apparently
suffering as little as any other Sec
tion of the country. The deep snow
has put a damper on business, the
tie-up on the railroads has congested
mails and cut the town from all but To-
cal freight shipments but otherwise
the storm has entailed little property
damage nor caused any real suffering.
The only trains moving today on
anything like normal schedules are the
O-W. passengers between Walla Wal
la and North Yakima. All traffic on
the company's main line east Of Pen
dleton and between Spokane and Port
land is at standstill. No trains are
running on the s., p. & S., either
east or west. Yesterdays No. went
as far as Fallbridge and returned to
Pasco last night. The company hopes
to have the line open to Spokane by
this evening.
All semblance of schedules have
been wiped out on the Northern Pa
cific and score Of trains are maroon
ed in Ellensburg and Pasco. One train
arrived this forenoon from Ellensburg
and another is due to arrive this eve-
ming on No. Four's time. Passenger
No. BIT which is made up in Spokane
is scheduled to arrive on regular time
at 1885 tonight.
The only daily newspapers to ar
rive in the city today were those from
Walla Walla and North Yakima. The
Walla Walla Union summarizes the
weather conditions there as follows:
Over two feet of snow on the ground
at 1920 o'clock last night when the
storm ended.
Public schools closed until condi-
tions are changed.
No street car service yesterday and
none promised for several days.
Half dozen roofs caved in unden the
heavy weight of the snow.
River power plant out of commits
sion account snowslide.
Commercial telephone and telegraph
wires to Portland and Seattle out of
service.
All trains delayed hours and some
not operating at all.
Fuel supply running low with dam
ger Of serious shortage.
Taxicabs not running.
Stores able to make but few deliv-
cries of provisions.
Mail, express and freight delayed.
Sidewalks almost impossible to pc
destrians, especially women.
Fire danger serious menace.
Practically all social events of the
week postponed. ~
Weather forecast-more snow.
Last nights news dispatches from
Seattle gave the situation on the west
side as follows:
After almost five weeks of almost
stormy weather west
ern Washington tonight is without
train service to the east, with uncer-
tain prospect of restoration of mail,
freight and passenger service. Busi-
ness is practically suspended in Sc
attic, Tacoma, Bellingham, Everett
and the smaller cities. Street car sys-
TENS are everywhere unable to operate
and schools are closed. Lumber man
and building have entirely
stopped, and farming work is at a
standstill. Ten lives have been lost
thru accidents directly chargeable to
the snow. Property loss, due to the
snow, amounted in Seattle today to
500, 900 and in Bellingham to $4,000.
The greatest single loss was the col
lapse Of the dome Of st. James's ca
thedral, causing $4,000 damage.
Melting Will Cause Havoc
Portland is completely isolated to-
night by a sleet storm that broke the
telegraph and telephone wires.
The snow, which varies in depth
from two feet at sea level to thirty