This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 18 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Washington Post
Location
Washington, Washington Dc, United States of America
Date
Dec 27, 1909
Page
32
New York City and environs faced heavy snow and a cold wave that halted telegraph and wire services. Ten inches of snow disrupted streets and rail lines, with many trains delayed for hours and cleaning crews scrambling to clear routes. Shipping within the harbor also slowed as weather crippled communications and transportation.
A string of obituaries from December with names such as Nellie Rea, George W. H Helman, Eunerd, Aarman, Arman, Sanua, Sanna, Dennis, Hart, and others, noting death dates from December 1909 and 1901 and funeral details. The notices include residences on streets in Washington and nearby areas, with service times and interment locations such as Arlington and Mount Olivet. Several items reference Boston and New York papers for copy and distribution.
Reported tonight that no trains from points west of Philadelphia had arrived since last evening. At o'clock this morning a small tidal wave swept into the harbor, and with occasional fury dashed over the battery wall and flooded many cellars. Two vessels were driven ashore near the quarantine station on Staten Island the schooner Lizzie Dennison and a scow. They were salvaged later but suffered damage. Three deaths in the city were charged to the severity of the storm as victims sought shelter and food, with exposure causing death. One man, Joseph Hart, 66, died in a pew at a Catholic church. More than 50 injured by falls. The Atlantic battleship in the Hudson iced over. Central Park became a scene of sledding for children as snow covered the city. Plastered pasties were cut by thousands, and the automobile was a back number.
Storm warnings spread as gale and high tides flood coasts from Nantasket to Hull and Saugus River towns. Dozens flee homes. Boston area loses power with widespread telegraph and wire outages. Beverly and Cape Cod cut off, while wireless links reach the peninsula. Large cities endure darkness except for moonlight.
Weather chaos halts long distance trains on Pennsylvania Baltimore and Ohio and Lake Erie lines. Eastbound connections from New York and Philadelphia run five to eight hours late. Dispatchers struggle with over 100 trains as storms block progress and congestion builds at Pittsburgh stations. Normal service may take hours or days to resume.
A historic death record lists Margeral V Baker aged 5 decades and others including Charier W Bherwood 70, Virgil Bo Plakalon unknown, Ming N Beau 60s, Bargarette Hirth 85, Puvel A Teal 25, Maria & Jordan Providence Hospital Glyrs Elisa Lotzear 60s, Mary Guilivan 90s, Charles C Wilson 73, and Thomas H Jones 48 among many entries with ages spanning from mid 20s to 90s, detailing addresses and partial notes. The fragmentary OCR reflects multiple individuals with varying ages and residences in a 20th century health office file.
A blizzard snarls transport from Philadelphia to Harrisburg and Washington with snowdrifts up to ten feet halting steam and trolley lines. Eight Pennsylvania Railroad trains are held at Frazer for hours, while many trains canceled, streetcars idle, and Sunday papers undelivered. The Arcadians and Bright Eyes tours face delays as scenery and performers struggle to move.
Madrid reports indicate improving conditions in storm and flood regions as relief funds are approved for sufferers. In Leon northern areas rivers rose up to three feet destroying hamlets. Shepherds confined in treetops endured days without food as rain intensified. Dozens feared drowned. Lisbon notes King Manuel began visits to hard hit Oporto region.
A four car Bath Head Line tram from Coney Island, stalled by a snowdrift, held a hundred passengers for nine hours. Brooklyn Rapid Transit workers tried relief runs, but additional trains also became stuck in the snow. Passengers kept warm during the long delay.
Damaged weather report from Newport and Bristol notes waves breaking against the life saving station at Price's Neck with wind speeds over seven miles an hour. The Ocean Drive area, notably near Bataman’s Paint, is described as severely washed. In Bristol a man identified as Ernest Fitzgerald, previously Edward Kelly, is linked to a Knoxville custody case following his death. A separate incident in Lynchburg reports Harry Wane, a colored youth, shot in the hip by a patrolman while fleeing an ordinance violation. Charleston reports James Banks, 50, a miners union organizer, struck by a homepeake device at Handley.
Mrs Adeline Belt, seeking escape from a midtown Baltimore millinery store blaze on December 25, jumped from a second story window to the yard below and was treated for a broken right ankle and bruises. Fire smoke and flames consumed the building while passersby alerted firefighters.
Special to The Washington Post Cumberland Maryland December 24 Mrs Somerfield Geld High was found in a helpless state on the street near Keyser West Virginia where her husband in a well known citizen Sha was taken home and later found dead in her room it is stated she had been given drugged intoxicants Her maiden name was Davy Her body was sent to Moorefield Junction West Virginia today for the treatment.
A nervous burglar broke into Swan Brothers dry goods on King and Pitt Streets Alexandria via a cellar window and a removed pipe connected to a register. He left $100 in the cash drawer after a Christmas rush and fled before completing the job, with police noting no further clues.
Alexandria's city hall bell may not ring in the new year as repairs to the town clock loom. A thorough overhaul requires replacing heavy timbers and other work, possibly taking weeks before the bell tolls again. Temporary grounding options may occur Saturday morning.
Asheville North Carolina lost its entire water supply when a 16 inch main from North Fork broke after a fallen tree in a gale. The break occurred seven miles from the city as rainfall delayed discovery until late afternoon. In Maryland a 390 acre mountain tract near Bideling Hill sold at auction for 60 cents an acre to Sawyer William H. Hamilton of Hagerstown.
The Rev Richey Ware of the Heckley area accepts the pastorate at the First Christian Church in Lynchburg Wa succeeding the late Rev Frank F Bullard who died last May after fifteen years of service. A separate note reports Garland D Johnson, aged 3, deceased from scalis, with arrangements for interment in Brune.
At a Christmas celebration in Chapmanville W Virginia three men were shot to death during a brawl. Lampson Dingess Freeland Dingess Freeland Henson died after being shot in the ballroom. Investigators note most attendees were intoxicated and a pistol battle followed the first shot. Earlier violence in the same community during a prior festive event is recalled.
A 90-year-old widowed Martinsburg resident Harry G Cage died by self inflicted wounds after a quarrel with his sweetheart left him despondent. He reportedly attempted to expiate a believed crime by death, and was found unconscious but revived before succumbing to loss of blood. Local friends note the dispute affected his mind.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.