Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-07
Worst Blizzard of Years
Hits Illinois and Ada
cent States.
TRAFFIC BLOCKED,
BUSINESS HALTS
Chicago Citizens Devotng Time to Dig.
gineOut Of Drifts Piled High by Ae'
companying Gale Storm Covers
Vast Area-live Stock Trains Held
at intermediate Points-Eastern iowa
Has Heavy Fall.

Chicago, Jan. 7.-Chicago began to
dig itself out Of the drifts today after
one of the worst blizzards in it's his
tory.
The wind, which blew from forty to
sixty miles an hour during the previous
twenty-four hours. abated early today
and in the calm of daylight. made
brighter by the great drifts, the sun
smiled the bland smile Of the cat which
had just eaten the canary.
Everywhere were evidences Of the
storm. There was scarcely block in
the outlying districts without its stalled
automobile, hood high in the snow,
waiting to be shoveled out.
The steamer Missouri, Chicago 70
Milwaukee, held fast in the ice and
buffeted by the gale. lmped into this
port this morning like some stray ice-
berg. 1t was caked with ice and the
crew. after many cruel and sleepless
hours, came out Of her like Eskimos
emerging direct from their igloes.
Many Trains Stalled.
With abatement Of the wind snow
plows on the streets and railroads had
chance to do effective work, but so
great was the snow fall that with la
Dor short, it was predicted that days
must elapse before the streets are in
normal conditions.
Street cars tFawisd thru drifts With
belatede workers enroute to labor. Milk
trains were late or abandoned.
South Water street, one of the most
congested thoroughfares in the world,
was all but deserted. Great banks Of
snow in the curbings prevented the
carts from backing up as usual for
their loads.
No Food Shortage.
q The one really serious aspect Of the
situation was the delay in hauling fuel
to factories which have been leading a
hand to- mouth existence in the matter
Of coal. There were supplies enough
in the. corner groceries and markets
to supply all real needs for food.
Scores of soldiers from Camp Grant
were compelled to overstay their fur
loughs because Of the lack Of trans
portation service. Jackies from the
Great Lakes naval training station
Jared better, for the elevated trains,
alone Of all the transportation lines.
were operating almost with normal
regularity.
Covers Vast Area.
According TO the reports Of the
United States weather bureau the
storm extended thruout the middle
west, covering an area roughly rang
fNor f~~v f{ct eN ~
Kansas City on the west, and extending
from the Ohio river on the south to
the northern districts of Wisconsin.
The blizzard was severest thru the
great lakes region.
Fuel Famine Probable.
The storm, which is said by weather
bureau officials to haev been the worst
in Years, was most severe in Illinois
It was said today that unless immed-
late relief can be found for the Grip
pied transportation facilities many
towns will be faced with serious fuel
famines.
Approximately 5000 men and 300
teams are at work here today clearing
the streets,
Telegraph and telephone service was
seriously hampered and for hours Chi
cago was completely cut off from wire
communication with many large cities.
The telephone and telegraph compan-
les were also crippled by shortage Of
operators
Many Persons Injured.
Several big business firms are keep
ing their employees in downtown hotels.
Schools have been suspended in
practically all the towns surrounding
Chicago.
Two deaths in Chicago have been re-
ported as result of the blizzard.
Mafly persons were reported injured.
mostly from collisions. Seventy-flv
fires were reported in the past twenty
four hours.
The fuel situation is thought to be
the most serious thruout central Illinois
Peoria has but one days supply.
No milk trains arrived today and the
best the railroads could promise the
distributing companies were deliveries
tonight.
The superintendent of streets for the
First ward, which included the busi.
ness district, said he could use 2'ooo
mon in removing snow but could only
round up $50.
Reports today indicated that the
storm in Iowa was confined, to the
northeastern part.
- 80 Il