Thoughtfully curated historical journalism
The train that left Janesville, Wis., last Saturday morning on the Northwestern Road, bound for Chicago, struck the blizzard at Clinton Junction. At Harvard the storm was increasing in severity, when the train readied a point a little below Crystal Lake it was simply terrific, and about a mile below Palatine the train stuck fast in a drift which was from three to twelve feet deep and over a half-mile long. The storm beat down upon it, and the snow, sleet, and hail threatened to bury the coaches. In this disagreeable situation the unfortunate passengers were obliged to remain until yesterday morning, and forty-eight hours in a snow-drift within a few miles of Chicago is something unparalleled even in the memory of that ancient historian, the oldest inhabitant.
Thera were about forty passengers on the train, four of whom were ladies, and there were no children in the party. Among them were a doctor, a lawyer, a Justice of the Peace, a clergyman, — the Rev. A. A. Fiske, of Harvard, — and several teachers and commercial travelers. A relief party came down from Palatine Saturday night, and on Sunday another party from the same place brought a quantity of provisions to the stranded travelers. It was found Impossible to use a sleigh on account of the immense drifts. Superintendent Cuyler telegraphed to Palestine directing the attachés of the road there to see that the passengers were well cared for. Members of the “snowed-in” band say that they had a very good time during their imprisonment. They gathered in one car, told stories, sang songs, and passed the time in a very pleasant manner.
From the London Times.
Nore Light, Thursday, Sept. 8.
After her first short run the Great Eastern remained at her anchor off Purfleet for the rest of the night, and slowly resumed her progress down the river at a quarter to 9 o’clock this morning. Her stoppage at Purfieet was a sad disappointment to many thousands who had been collecting at Gravesend all day in the firm belief that she could or would stop nowhere else. Her slight detention at Blackwall point, however, prevented this, and it became absolutely necessary from the state of the tide to bring up at once at Long Reach. The distinguished arrival threw Purfleet into a state of uncommon excitement. Every one within moderate reach of it by road or rail hurried to the little village till it was thronged to the water’s edge. Gravesend, also, seemed most unwilling to yield up its share in the great occasion without an effort, and before long crowded boats steered round and round the ship, the passengers cheering themselves till they were hoarse again, while the bands played “See the Conquering Hero Comes,” “Rule Britannia,’’ and ail sorts of musical welcomes. For the rest of the evening there was a constant repetition of such visits. Not a vessel passed that did not turn up hands to cheer, while many, as they came down the river, dressed in flags from stem to stern. It was not till night had fallen that the great ship was fairly left alone, and began swinging round to her anchor with the rising tide. The night was a little puffy, and seemed inclined to come more so, but the wind fell as the moon rose, and the weather eventually settled down into a dead calm, it took upwards of an hour for the tide to turn the ship fully round, and at low water, as she lay across the river for a short time in turning, she might almost be said to have stopped the navigation with her colossal bulk. During the night she swung twice again, and by daylight was lying with her head fair for the resumption of her course down the river.
The last steamer from England brings the following:
The shore end of the Atlantic cable was landed and successfully connected with the instruments on board the Great Eastern. The Knight of Kerry invoked success on the undertaking, and in conclusion called on Sir Robert Peel, who made an admirable address. Cheers were then given for the President of the United States, when paying out of the heavy shore end of the cable commenced. The splice was completed in the most successful manner, and the cable worked perfectly. The gunboats Terrible and Sphynx accompanied the Great Eastern. A telegram from Valencia, dated the 24th of July, says : “Insulation defects took place on Monday afternoon. The mischief is supposed to exist three miles west of the shore-end splice, and it is believed that it was caused by too much strain from the Great Eastern. She hove too [sic] ten miles from the shore. The Caroline is picking up and underrunning the splice and repairing the fault. It is expected that the damage will be rectified immediately.
Extract from Letters From Mr. [Thurlow] Weed . . . No. X., Correspondence of the Albany Evening Journal
Monday, July 17
I have been through the Thames Tunnel. This is to London what the Croton Water Works are to New York, the great achievement of the 19th century. There is nothing at either entrance of the Tunnel, which indicates that you are in the vicinity of this extraordinary improvement. We passed over it in a steamer in the morning, without being aware that other masses of fellow beings were quietly walking through a subterranean passage below us! The visitor is directed “This way to the Tunnel ” by a board on the corner of a street. You descend a winding stone stairway 100 steps, and enter into the Tunnel, which is well lighted with gas, and afforded us a cool pleasant walk, after four hour’s exposure to the sun. The Tunnel has two avenues, each wide enough to allow 12 or 16 persons to walk abreast. Half way through, a printing press is stationed “By Royal Authority,” which is throwing off sheets containing an account of the Tunnel. I told the man I would purchase two of his sheets provided lie would allow me to “pull” them myself. This, upon learning that “I knows the ropes,” as they say at sea, he consented to. I have, therefore, an account of the Thames Tunnel, printed by myself, standing midway between the London and Surry sides of the river, seventy feet below its bed, with Steamers and ships passing directly over my head!