Year: 1873

FRO the st. John (N b. News, March sth.l


About II 1-2 this morning, the train
which hett here on Monday last for Hall
lax got back to this city. The pa ssengers
on board, many of whom returned to this
city, and the officers and employees have
passed through dangers and difficulties,
to which the history of railroading in this
province scarcely furnishes parallel.
From one of the officers who was on board
the train our reporter has gathered the
loiiowlng particulars of their five days.
experience on Tantramar Marsh and vi
cinity.


The express train from Halifax left
Sackville ON Monday afternoon last be-
tween 4 and o'clock, being about two
hours behind time BIT this time the wind
was beginning to blow freshly, with indi-
cations of storm. While crossing the
Tantramar Marsh, and within about two
miles of Au Lac station, the squall struck
the train. Those on board say they never
experienced anything so sudden and ter
rifle. The train was almost Immediately
brought to a standstill, the fury OF the
storm and the quantity of snow clogging
the wheels, so that it was impossible to
advance or go backward. After several
Intellectual attempts to start the engine, all
hands saw that from the fury of the storm
they must make the most of the circum.
stances in which they were placed, and


the fireman proceeded 10 clear the boilers.


In doing this the engineer and fireman


were so completely enveloped in snow


and ice from the escaping steam and so
pelted and benumbed and exhausted from


the cold, and from their cxertions, that


they were forced to draw their fires and


creep into the box. After getting thawed


out they made their way, with the greatest


difficulty to the passenger and mail cars.


This they had to do by feeling their way.


the storm raging with such resistless fury


that they could see nothing before them.


In the passenger cars the wind was SO
terrific that no fires could be kept up, and
the fine snow sifted through every crevice
and drifted into the cars to such an extent
that they soon became untenantable, and
the only place of refuge was the mail car.
This was protected from the storm by the
passage way through it, which, when
morning came, was drifted half full of
snow. There were about twenty-five male
passengers on board the train, and tour
female, one married lady, two unmarried
ones and a eolored girl. These were
made as comfortable as possible under
the circumstances, and after the first great
fury of the storm had spent itself, they
succeeded in keeping on fire. Nearly
every thing within the car had been used
as fuel except the mail boxes, and 1t was
thought that these would have to be sac
rificed, but conductor Cannon and Mr..
Blizzard, the postal clerk, determined to
reach the engine and get some coal. This
they succeeded in doing, after which the
inmates Of the car were made more COM
Portable.


Previous to this an attempt had been
made by one OF the employees to reach
the fence, in order to procure fuel. but he
lost his way, and being unable to see the
cars or the fence, became bewildered, and
with difficulty made his way back to the
train, being guided only by the shouts of
those on hoard, which could scarcely be
heard above the din OF the elements.


When the morning dawned, nothing
could be more cherries than the prospect


which presented itself. The inmates Of


the postal car had to shovel their way out


Of it, the snow being nearly as high as


the door. They had no provisions on
board but Il barrel of crackers, which had
been opened and the contents distributed


during the night, but as they had neither


DuttcI itl WdtSI IL W dS IiupoesiUkC W Cat
them. The ladies exhibited the greatest
cooress and courage in the trying posi-
ton in which they were placed, and not 4
murmer escaped their lips at the priya-
tions which they endured. At great per-
sonal risk conductor Cannon and postal
clerk Blizzard tramped through the storm
to Sackvile and reported their condition.
and force was sent out to clear the track.
The freight train from Truro, in charge
OF conductor Allingham, had also worked
well down toward the snow bound train,
and communication was thus re-establish-
ed. The snow at Browns Cut, between
Au Lac and Amherst, was reported by con-
ductor Alinghan to De two feet deep. and
at Fort Lawrence it is from ten to fifteen
feet deep.


Great praise is due to conductor Cannon
for his unwearied and kindly efforts to
provide for the comfort of the passengers
and employees of the train. When the
storm had somewhat abated, he went 10
Coles Island, distance of about mile
and halt, and, procuring a team, con-
vcyed the lady passengers to the house OF
a farmer named Patterson. where they
were most kindly treated, and provided
with food and rest. He then procured
other teams and sent them forward to Am
herst. Residents in the vicinity state that
no such storm rs that of Monday last has
been experienced there for ten years, and
the railway employees say that no drifts
have previously formed where they were
compelled to endure such q night Of dam
ger and discomfort.