Semi-weekly herald., 1916-02-03

FeDluary 1904, tne AnlfidS canon De
came blocked as well as Cumbres
range. In those days the work OF
removing snow from the railroad track
was slow to what it is at the pres
ent time. Rotary snow plows were
not known. at least were not in use
on the ID. & X. G. The old fash
ioned snow plow and flanger We're
the only aid to shovelers in opening
the road and these were of little use.
One can readily see the time ii re-
quired to open half mile or mile of
cuts on the range. Fair progress
would be made for week or so when
along came another light snow and
again and this kept up for weeks and
weeks. Several times the announce
ment WAS made that in a few days
the road would be open across Cum
bres and just as the goal was in sight
along would come another storm and
it was all off. Even few inches
did the work, and it was not until
the storms let up and the hot sun
crusted the snow so it would not drift
headway was made. In that year most
of the men employed shoveling we're
placed on Cumbres instead of on the
Silverton branch. Idle men we're not
as plentiful in those days as now
and difficulty was had in securing
shoyelers and it was not until after
the line east was opened that big
force was placed in the Anmas can
on, or Silverton branch. Thus our
readers will see quite difference in
general conditions. 1t is said it will
be week before Cumbres is opened
for travel even with rotary, this
owing to the slow progress on account
Of the wet snow freezing and in
places it being necessary to aid the
rotary with pick and shovel. With the
rotary it would not require great
deal of additional snow to keep the
road blocked for weeks. Three or
four inches OF snow every few days
With a strong wind and the cuts will
fill faster than any rotary or gang
OF men can remove IL, so our readers
can see it is possible for blockade
lasting as long as il did in 1884. In
this we do not desire to be pessimistic
bat we are comparing conditions and
if we have as frequent storms in
February as we have had of late,
along with wind every one knows
what vii! happen. as the snow is pr o.
ably two feet deeper now than in
1854 1T the lose of January. There
is no question but that the average
depth in the mountains is six feet.
This is a good deal of snow when
we consider the way it has settled
rain.
That we will have more snow is al
most certain and when the final storm
is over we feel confident the general
depth of snow will be as great as any
year since the San Juan basin has
been inhabited by white man. This
being the case it will be we'll to guard
against exceedingly high water in
May and June. 1t will be remembered
that the d. e. r. G. suffered severely
from floods in the spring of 1884 and
Durango was without trains for two
or three weeks from this cause. When
the snow is melted from the low plac-
es it will be well for county author
tiles to look after approaches to all
bridges as there will be no stemming
the tide when it sets in. OF course
high water will not come until after
every bit of snow in the farming sec
tions is gone and crops planted. Our
high water comes from the mountain
districts and no danger until after the
18th Of May and during the month of
June.