PHENOMENA, ETC.

MWK. Rises. South. Sets. Sets. South A.M. P.M.

BLIZZARD OF FEBRUARY, 1899.

On Monday, February 13, 1899, Balti-usually severe. more was visited by one of the worst stopped and the crews of many of the snowstorms in its history, repeating in dredgers were discharged from vessels Their business was some of its phases the characteristics of which had run out of food and fuel. Five the blizzard of March 11-14, 1888, but with of these dredgers, tramping from Drum even a greater snowfall than on that Point through Calvert county toward occasion. In 1888 the blizzard influences concen-in gangs of from 10 to 30 through snowtrated on the North Atlantic coast; in drifts 8 to 15 feet deep for 80 miles of Baltimore, perished. Others, tramping 1899 the severities of the storm were sparsely settled country, reached the mostly felt in the South Atlantic States, city finally in deplorable condition, some though they were experienced from of them with frosted feet and hands. On Florida to Maine, and westward to the the way they were given employment Allegany mountains. At Baltimore the storm of 1899 began and shelter wherever possible. opening the roads and supplied with food on Saturday night, February 11, and continued with increasing intensity so great that funerals were in several The snow blockade in the country was through Sunday, February 12, reaching cases deferred for more than a week bethe height of its fierceness Monday, Feb- fore the burials could take place. Physiruary 13, and raging all that day, completely overwhelming Maryland.

The snowfall at Baltimore for the 24 hours ending at 8 P. M., February 13, was 15.5 inches, making the total fall from February 5, 32.1 inches. Business was practically at a standstill. Many stores were closed and few persons were on the street. Numbers of people forced to be out were overcome by the exposure, but only one fatality was reported that of Harry E. Vincent, 2235 East Chase street, who fell exhausted in the snow near his home and died of exposure.

cians found it impossible to visit their
marry was guaranteed by telephone and
patients. In Cecil county a license to
the wedding went on.
Regiment of United States Infantry (reg-
ulars), en route to Manila, were snow-
The Twelfth
bound at Cumberland. Virginia and West
Virginia were deeply buried in snow.

for many hours between Laurel, Md.,
and Washington, D. C., where Congress-
A passenger train was stuck in a drift
man Richard A. Wise, of Virginia, had a
memorable experience. Col. L. Victor
caught in the blizzard in Frederick county
Baughman and a party of friends were
and were nearly overcome.

Washington and the street cars were unBusiness was practically suspended in able to run.

Street car companies were unable to operate their lines. A few electric and traction cars struggled with the snow drifts, which were piled in many places 10 or more feet high, but all were finally obliged to stop. The suburban sections were completely cut off from connection being stalled in snowdrifts, and farmers Delaware was blockaded, railroad trains with the city. Travel on all the steam were unable to make use of the country railroads entering Baltimore was block-roads. aded. The mail service was at a standstill. In all parts of Maryland there was for two or three days almost complete stoppage of travel by rail and steamboats, and for a much longer time by public roads. In many parts of the State the snow on a level was over three feet deep, while the drifts in the western counties, especially in Frederick county, were often as much as 20 feet deep and up to the second story of the houses.

blizzard in its weather history. ThroughPhiladelphia was locked in the worst out Pennsylvania railroad traffic was almost entirely suspended.

of the Middle States were shortened and The food supplies of all the larger cities prices went up several points.

its embrace, except the extreme southThe cold wave held the entire South in ern part of Florida. In Central Florida snow fell at Jacksonville. A death there was ice and snow. Several inches bow was given to the orange groves. ranged from 8 to 18 degrees below the Along the Gulf coast the thermometer freezing point. All previous records for the second decade of February were ported off Virginia Beach, outside of Middle Mississippi Valleys south to the Drift ice was re- broken from the Lower Missouri and Cape Henry. Ice was reported all the way up the Chesapeake Bay. Northern Alabama. Zero temperature prevailed in Southern Texas, Southern Mississippi and

Ice was 14 inches thick in the Susque-of hanna river at Havre de Grace. Potomac river at Williamsport it was 10 In the inches thick under 18 inches of snow. Sinepuxent Bay, in Worcester county, was closed, and so were Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds.

Gulf.

At Ocean City, Md., the surf was frozen on the beach, and the coast-guard of the life-saving station were subjected to near New Orleans and skating was inLakes and bayous were frozen over great personal privation. The islands dulged in for the first time in many years. of the lower Chesapeake were icebound. Fair weather prevailed in the far West, The privations of oystermen were un-usually the region of blizzards.