From description of CTDA collection:
The Blizzard of 1888, also known as the "Great White Hurricane," lasted for three days, from March 12-14. The blizzard buried an unprepared Northeast in up to 50 inches of snow. The precipitation was accompanied by winds reaching 60 mph that piled snow drifts up to 38 feet tall. Horse cars, stagecoaches, and trains came to a halt, making the delivery of food and fuel difficult. Most communication by telegraph was disrupted by downed lines across the region and cities like New York, Boston, and Hartford were unaware of events around them. The blizzard left more than 400 people dead and caused upwards of 20 million dollars worth of property damage. The resulting cleanup effort was accomplished by plows drawn by horses and oxen or more often by shovel.
From Library of Congress:
TIMELINE
March 11, 1888 |
A significant rainstorm develops in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic area. |
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March 12, 1888 |
As the rain turns to snow, Washington, D.C. reports the severance of telegraph wires, effectively isolating the city from much of the northeast. |
March 13, 1888 |
Reports from all over the northeast inform citizens of train outages and traffic accidents. Fifteen inches of snow are reported in Saratoga and Albany, New York. The New York Stock Exchange closes for the day. |
March 14, 1888 |
The snow finally dissipates around midday. |
March 15, 1888 |
Some trains begin moving around parts of New York, but most remain stranded or lost. The New York Stock Exchange resumes business. |
March 22, 1888 |
The first reports of blizzard-induced fatalities are published. Many died in the cold temperatures. |
Source #1
Newspapers may provide articles from the time of an event and may also include retrospective articles.