WORST STORM SINCE MARCH 1888

Twenty-Four and One-Half Inches of Snow Caused Much Damage — Blizzard Raged Throughout New York, New Jersey, and New England States — Three Lives Lost in Albany
 

The greatest snow storm since the blizzard of 1888 and the worst December storm since 1874 began Monday morning and continued for more than twenty-four hours. The storm was accompanied by a strong wind and a comparatively high temperature. It was in reality a combination of two separate storms; one that had been raging over the Great Lakes and one from the Atlantic, near Cape Hatteras. The entire Atlantic seaboard from Maine to South Carolina is covered with a blanket of snow. Railroads suffered greatly. Freight trains were tied up in the yards or stalled on the road, passenger service was delayed from two to ten hours, and the mails the same. Cities were snowed under and business practically paralyzed for two days.

In New York City a force of men estimated at 40,000 was required to clear the streets.

The city of Watervliet sustained a $75,000 fire loss Tuesday night when a blaze started in the grocery store of James Burke and destroyed the entire block at Broadway and Twenty-third Street. The deep snow and a broken water main prevented the firemen from getting water to the blaze for almost half an hour. Two engine companies were sent from Troy before the fire could be controlled.

In Rensselaer, the tannery buildings on South Ferry Street were burned, causing a loss of $12,000. The fire alarm system was crippled by the storm and the different companies were finally summoned by telephone or messenger.

Albany was fortunate in regard to fires, but the blizzard caused three deaths and numerous minor accidents, besides paralyzing business. Two men were killed in the railroad yards and Miss Nellie L. Teahan, matron in the Albany County penitentiary, died from exhaustion. She was found in a drift near the institution, Tuesday night, and lived but a short time.

Throughout the country the roads are blocked by drifts from six to fifteen feet high. The outlying villages are completely isolated. Rural mail carriers have been unable to make their regular trips and very few stages are able to move as of yet. District schools are closed and probably will remain so until the first of next week.

In Altamont there were scarcely any signs of life all day Tuesday. The Albany local trains did not move. The streets and sidewalks were completely blocked, stopping all business. School was closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Street Commissioner Willard J. Ogsbury has had a big job opening the streets and crosswalks. The fire hydrants were uncovered and kept clear under the supervision of Commissioner Ogsbury and Chief M. A. Whipple. All precautions were taken to meet any emergency that might arise.

Because of the delayed mails the Enterprise did not receive the correspondence from other villages and consequently is a day late in going to press.

The storm caused great inconvenience and loss, but we should not complain, for no great catastrophe befell us. A fire at such a time might have wrought havoc in our village. Indeed, there are many who today have much to be thankful for.