Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-01-17

ington ever had up to that time.
1 AUCH cold weather and snow were expert
W. enced during the Winter of 1897, and two
years later a real record was made for
cold in this locality.
1t was the Winter of 1899 and one day in
January and three in February gave tempera-
lures and snowfalls not soon to be forgotten.
January 2, 1899. blizzard was recorded by
the press and the temperature is said to have
gone degree below On February
the temperature went to seven degrees below,
which is said to have been the coolest since
1881, but the day to which the Weather Bureau
seems to attach the most Importance, as being
one Of the two having exceptionally severe
storms occurred February H. 1899.
This snowstorm began at $3.50 pm, on Feb
ruary H. and continued to IL pm, February
10, land attended by intense cold and
westerly gales. On the morning Of February
IL, the temperature was Is degrees below Zero"
said to be the lowest ever recorded by the local
bureau. Before the storm began, there were
lat inches of snow on the ground which had
accumulated from other SHOWS, and to this was
added from the storm which began on Feb
ruary II EOS inches of snow, making in all on
the ground when the storm was over, 35,2
inches.
The writer recalls this storm particularly be-
cause he had to purchase just three pairs Of
rubber boots-two for his children and one pair
for himself Naturally this enormous blanket
of snow bad enough, but the trenches dug
through the snow added considerably to the
misery of everyone, for here the water settled
to about the depth OF six or eight inches. Rub
her overshoes were consequently of use.
Boots were the only things that would keep the
feet dry while this horrible condition lasted,
and to make matters even worse, a shortage Of
food was threatened. Many just had to get
To- fa mn 1re 1tr,a1i far
q time, knew just whether matters would taks
q turn for the better or worse. Indeed, the
writer one Of those who took no chances
and waded out into the snow to lay tn q
supply. Fortunately, the snow then on the
ground disappeared before any considerable
amount was added to it.
In some places, the snow had drifted and
parts of small buildings were entirely obscured-
After this storm the oldest inhabitants re-
manned silent for a long time before referring
to the big SHOWS they used to have, and even
they, for the time being at least, agreed that
this beat them all.
DERHAPS many win recall President Taft's
Inauguration day, March 4, 1909. The day
preceding this event was about as nasty day
as one would want to see. It was threatening
ell day. and about O'Clock IN the afternoon
occurred a heavy dounpour Of rain, accom-
panied by tightening and thunder. It con-
tnued to rain very hard until dark when 1t
TUNED into a snow storm accompanied by high
winds, resulting in blizzard which continued
throughout the night and into the next day,
resulting in the worst day of the Winter.
The Commissioners made heroic efforts to
clean the snow from the line of march, and
with an army Of 1aborers succeeded fairly well.
Toward noon, the storm having spent itself,
the out. which, however, made
matters even worse, by melting the snow into
heavy slush that made walking just fright
full Indeed, one will ever forget Taft's
Inauguration.
This storm, like all the other bad weather
We get in Washington, originated somewhere
up North and conditions in its wake were bad
for week or more Many Of the railroad
trains bound for Washington and the inaug-
uration never got here, and some came in after
/ the ceremonies were aH over. Telegraph lines
were down and altogether 1t was one Of the
most uncomfortable Inauguration days in the
country's history.
The next great storm-ofdeially recorded q
being ''exceptional'-is still fresh In the minds
Of everyone for it occurred Just 10 years ago
this month. It started at 400 pm, January
n, 1922, and it continued to snow until jan
uary %, at 1880 am. During that time 20
inches of snow fell, constituting = record here
Tor Single StOfm upon THIS occasion the
temperature did not go below II degrees and
the winds were comparatively moderate.
This storm did considerable damage AAd
caused an appalling loss Of life when, on Jam
uary 70, the roof the Knickerbocker Theater,
at Eighteenth street and Columbia road gavs
way, causing the death Of 90 persons reported
up to January 81. For awhile all the car Hneo
in the city were tied up and even some Of tho
IRE engines were stalled on their way to render
aid to the injured It was 6 night Of horrors
and one long to be remembered
However by checking up On the Official re-
ports, one viii find that severe Winter
weather, like our intensely warm Summer days,
Is not = frequent occurrence, and though We
can with perfect truthfumess refer to the
severe Winters of wears aso vet no doubt it