Connecticut western news., 1920-02-12
MOST SEVERE STORM
 SINCE. 'SS BLIZZARD
Train Service Demoralized and Business Comes to
 Standstill

One of the most severe snow and sleet storms in this vicinity since the blizzard of 1888, seems to be the general opinion of the storm which started last Wednesday evening and had not abated until Friday. Then for good measure a few inches of snow fell Friday night to "patch up the sleighing."
 Various estimates of the snowfall range from 16 to "A inches, but what appears to be the most accur- ate report comes from Falls Village, where an instrument made to regis ter snowfall, places the depth at 22 inches. And it was the heaviest snow that has been shovelled in this vicinity in many years, yet the weight did not prevent the wind from drift ing to heighth of several feet in places. To walk mile in it nearly meant exhaustion. Many who were not forced to get out remained at home until semblance of path was made by the few teams that dared to face the storm.
 On the Main street one business man continually removed the snow until it was impossible for the aver age man to see over the top of the pile. Business was at standstill and train service was in a similar condition. At Norfolk huge drifts ,defied the efforts of snow blows and not until Monday morning was the service resumed at anywhere near schedule. On the Berkshire division conditions were either not so bad or the engines were better, as it took much less time for the service to approach normal.
 Several places in this vicinity re- ported that the roofs of buildings had caved in from the weight of the snow. Three are known of in this town; James Keenan's barn, barn on the Donsbough farm and shed belonging to the Canaan Lumber Co.,, gave way. In Great Harrington the roof of a garage caved in doing several thousand dollars damage to the building and to the cars stored therein.
 J. H. Kegler, who has charge of the state roads, attempted to break the drifts with road scraper and four horses, but little was accom- plished. Saturday the state snow blow came through attached to an auto truck, but the path made was but little improvement until Sunday when two trucks again came through. There is still room for improvement however, as at the time this is being written there is not room for two teams to pass. Monday afternoon Paviol's truck and Dewey Canfeld were lured out by the warm sun and encountered many difficulties, though it is said they were able to return home.
 Failure of current from the gen. erating plant of the Connecticut Light and Power Company at Bulls Bridge Friday stopped operation of the New Departure, American Silver, and Dunbar Brothers Companies, and several smaller concerns at Bristol, which depend upon electricity as motive power. The explanation was that as snow and ice had clogged the howage in the Housatonic River and tributaries at Canaan, there was no water power to turn the generators.
 Schools were closed Thursday and Friday, and no church services were held on Sunday. In many rural dis tricts the schools have not reopened and it will probably take several days for roads to be broken.
 Several residents living on the out skirts of town report that large number of pheasants have been lowering near the homes in search of food. They appear quite tame and seem but little frightened by persons passing near. ...t ..
 In spite of all the handicaps of the storm, much remained to be thankful for, as/the weather was mild and telephone and lighting service were practically normal. Had these two conveniences also been paralyzed, much suffering would certainly have resulted.