Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1918 — WORST STORM IN FIFTY YEARS [ARTICLE]

WORST STORM IN FIFTY YEARS

Rensselaer and OUer Towns Cut Off From Outside World. R.R. TRAFFIC BLOCKED 3 DAYS On the Monon and Only Partially Established Now. —Mercury Went to 31 Below Zero. With the possible exception of the big storm fifty-four years ago, referred to by old-timers as “the cold New Year’s,” the storm that was in progress •as The Democrat went to press Friday afternoon was the worst ever known in.. this section of the •tate. This storm started Thursday night, and up to early Friday afternoon perihaps four or five inches of snow had fallen, but there had been no wind and it was not very cold. During the late afternoon, however, the wind raised and the mercury went scurrying down the tube (until the government thermometer at St. Joseph college registered 31 degrees below zero Saturday morning. The snow had continued falling to some extent all this time, continuing all day Saturday, which was the worst day ever experienced, the mercury remaining several degrees below the 0 all day long and t'he wind whirling the snow in drifts that impeded all traffic. No trains were run at all on the Monon from the milk train south bound and the Indianapolis train northbound Friday Evening—each of which was from two to three hours late —until Monday. Little effort was made Saturday to keep traffic open in Rensselaer, as both streets and sidewalks were blown full of snow again almost as soon as shoveled out. Nobody was in from the country at all and practically no business was done by any of the stores except a little by the groceries and meat markets. There was no delivery service and only the barest necessities were purchased and carried home by the purchasers to last over Sunday. All the stores except the grocei’, meat markets and restaurants closed up at 4 or 5 o’clock in the afternoon and the proprietors and clerks went home. Few of the women clerks and office girls got down town at all during the day because of the drifted condition of the sidewalks and streets, and Rensselaer presented the most deserted, desolate appearance imaginable. Sunday morning opened bright and clear, but cold, the mercury reaching six to eight below zero during the previous night, and then tke work of “shoveling out’’ began in earnest. The snow had packed itard enough to almost bear up the weight of a horse, and it was very work clearing paths and breaking through the huge drifts in the streets. Fire Chief Montgomery superintended the work of clearing the streets. A big road grader, with six horses, was used. By early afternoon most of the streets were cleared sufficiently io permit traffic and everyone breathed easier, as fears of fires with no way of reaching the scenes with the fire wagon and hose had become a . nightmare. Fortunately no fires occurred, and this we can certainly be thankful for. Two trains from Chicago came in early Tuesday, morning, Nos. 31 and 3 at about 1:30 o’clock, and brought newspapers and mail that had been delayed throughout the storm period. The papers conveyed t'he information that the storm was quite general in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, and while traffic bias been partially restored it will be several days before normal schedules can be resumed. The worst effects of the storm will no doubt be felt in the large cities because of t'he scarcity of fuel, and steps have already been taken in Chicago and other industrial centers to reduce the use of fuel by industrial concerns to permit the use of same by individuals. There is no great cause for alarm from this source in Rensselaer for the supply of coal now in the city is sufficient for all immediate needs and if traffic has not been fully restored by the time this supply is

exhausted it will be no hardship for us to- burn wood as did our forefathers. And should it come to this there is an abundant supply about Rensselaer that is easily accessible. Considerable time and labor will be required to open the country roads, especially those running north and south between tight (fences, where the drifts are said to be several feet in depth and in many places impassable. The east and west roads were not drifted nearly so bad as the north and south roads. It is conservatively estimated that close to two feet of snow fell on the level. Several Rensselaer people were returning from- Chicago on train No. 31 Friday evening when the same was stalled in the snow just south of the station at Hammond. The train had experienced considerable difficulty in reaching Hammond so another engine was coupled on at that point and it was thought by all that the train could then get through. However, they had only proceeded about a mile when they

became stalled again. Among those from this city on the train were Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Wilcox of the county farm; Mrs. S. H. Cornwell, Mrs. W. L. Frye, Miss Luvia Gunyon, G. J. Jessen and James Wlarner. The passengers all remained on the train until some time Saturday afternoon when the provisions gave out and difficulty in heating the cars was encountered. They then went to nearby residences and were entertained in the best manner possible until late Monday night when the track was finally cleared and the train was enabled to proceed, reaching this city about 1 a. in. Tuesday. It was a new experience for miainy of those on the train and one that but few woudd care to repeat. In order to open the country roads it is probable that farmers residing in the various directions front the city will have to do as did about thirty Newton township farmers Monday. Armed with scoop shovels these farmers attacked the road near the home of James Lane early Monday morning and cleared the trail to Rensselaer, reaching here about 2:30 p. m. When they reached the city they shouldered their shovels and formed in single file and mlarched to a down town restaurant to appease their delayed appetites. Several' cases of persons having been overcome or nearly so by the extreme cold and exposure were reported. Dr. A., R. Kresler was almost overcome while returning from a call at McCoysburg, and was obliged to stop at a farmhouse for assistance. Earl Clouse was also nearly overcome while returning from Remington with one of the Frye busses. However, both are alright now and none the worse for their unpleasant experience. The two south bound trains that went through early yesterday morning were trains that had been tie! up at South Hammond since Friday night. No. 5 left Chicago yesterday at 9:35 and reached here about noon. The early morning train fonna Indianapolis which should have reached here Saturday morning came through yesterday morning about 9 o’clock. It had been stalled at Frankfort, but backed up to Indianapolis and came around by Lafayette over the Big Four. The Monon is still blockaded between Monon and Frankfort and the tracks will probably not be Cleared until sometime today; at least. No other Indinanapolis trains* were expected yesterday. The Louisville train came through to Lafayette Monday and doubled back, which would indicate that the storm was not nearly so severe south of Lafayette. The milk train weht through yesterday morning four hours late. Traffic on the C. & E. I. from Lacross to Goodland and running through the north part of this county, was re-established Monday, the first train making the through trip late in the evening.