What follows appeared in the February 5, 1881, edition of the Phillips Phonograph. Rangeley would not have its own newspaper, the “Rangeley Lakes”, until 1895. Today we enjoy so many comforts and mechanized remedies with which to deal with heavy snows, so its hard to imagine what it must have been like to dig out from a good old-fashioned blizzard. As you read on you will soon ascertain how important the narrow-gauge railroad had become to life in North Franklin County. Tracks were cleared with a plow mounted on the cowcatcher of little engines. Drifts were rammed again and again and, when this failed, the mountains of snow had to be cleared by teams of half-frozen men with shovels! The recovery required many days and nights of backbreaking toil. We have it SO EASY by comparison. So, the next time your snowblower is slow to start, or your remote starter isn’t working on your 4WD SUV, or the ski lift you are riding on… stops for 5 minutes or so…think about what our ancestors had to deal with. Let it snow and be sure to get outside often to make some great Rangeley History of your own!

A brief local regarding the battle with the snow on the line of the Narrow Gauge, may not be uncalled for this week. The snow from Farmington to Phillips has (until recently blown out of shape) averaged from 2 to 3 1/2 feet deep, with no crust to hold it, except in and about Farmington village. Thursday morning, of last week, the “blizzard” began. With the mercury below zero by 8 degrees, up to 8 above but most of the time below— the wind blowing fiercely nearly the entire week, night and day; the snow packing hard, and continually packing — it was a foe worth all the forces of human skill and ingenuity to face or battle. The railroads of the state have had serious trouble, and much expense has been entailed. Many accidents have been occasioned by the fearful drifts by the heavy trains and snowplows. Our railroad was blocked for a third of its distance from Thursday night till Monday evening. The Portland & Ogdensburg RR was blocked the same period. The Maine Central train, which should have arrived at Farmington on Friday night., was in the drift all night, arriving in Farmington at noon Saturday. Saturday night’s train arrived at 11 p. m. The Narrow Gauge, with its two engines, began the battle Friday, forced their way to Strong, and beyond to Winter Brook. This point was not reached till about dark, and the workmen were completely exhausted, many of them receiving severe frost bite. The engineer of one of the locomotives it is thought might have perished at his hard post of duty but for wraps and comforters bound about him by those who could spare them. By much hard work the engines were run back to Knowlton’s crossing, when Master Mechanic Jones turned the snowplow on the crossing and Strong village was finally reached. The engineers and firemen remained with their machinery through the night, while other workmen rested for the night. Saturday the work must be done over again. The snow was now packed so hard that the new drifts readily bore up a horse’s weight, and the amount of snow moved in the gale since Thursday was tremendous. Intervale’s where the wind raked, were nearly bare, limbs of trees were scattered over the hay fields, and many things attested the power of the “blow.” The crews of workmen were increased, and an effort made to get back to Phillips—seven miles. The railroad was opened at both points, and the two sections had approached each other within a short distance, when it was given up for the night. Sunday some 75 men were at work, and the engines both returned to Phillips. Nearly the entire distance required shoveling, to remove the solid drifts that piled over the road. Some work was also done below Strong, on Sunday, but the force was again at it Monday, bound for Farmington. The Superintendent, President, Directors, Master Mechanic, and all employees of the road handled the shovels and encouraged the work. The cold was intense, and the wind pierced them through and through. Slowly they pressed on. Fields of snow for half a mile, averaging from two feet to six or eight were encountered in several instances, where stout hearts must have quailed but for the common desire to end the battle that night. Wood and water were getting low in the engines, and the men, hungry, cold and tired with the terrible drag. It was a discouraging tussle. A crew had come up from Farmington, but their work was to be done over again, and the boys from Phillips, Avon and Strong must be in at the end. On both sides of Fairbanks Mills, the track was piled high for long distances; but as night came on, the village was approached, the last crossing made, and a half mile from the depot, another fierce combat ensued. ’Twas now dark, the men nearly famished leaned upon their shovels for rest and holding up against the biting wind. An engine was run down close to the men, that the headlight might illuminate their work. The Master Mechanic told them another hour would bring them through. It was then seven o ’clock. So, it was then announced to anxious ones in Phillips—the train would he in in an hour. The men were about ready to give out, when Superintendent Wilbur appeared and with President Beal, assured all that they could sooner reach the depot than they thought—with one strong pull, all together, and a rousing hot supper would be served them at the hotels. Their encouraging words lent new life to the tired crew, and in less than fifteen minutes from the first dispatch came another telegram — “Train just arrived!” —Monday evening, 7:15. A daily battle for four successive days. Forty-five men took supper at the Stoddard House, the meal being provided at an hour’s notice, and the boys were well filled. At the close of the supper, the men were paid in cash for their services, with the thanks of the officers. Trains arrived hack in Phillips at about midnight. Tuesday regular trips were made, but Wednesday another delay occurred, the train not arriving in Farmington till evening. Thursday, despite the many predicaments, regular trips were made, though an hour late on the first trip. Maine Central ten minutes late at night; our train made up loss and came in ahead of time the same night. Friday; regular trains on time. We expect next week to give an estimate of work done in the storm, proportion of snow removed, and other facts of interest, intended to show the power of the Narrow Gauge in the worst storm for many years, and in as bad a locality for drifts and heavy winds as any in Maine. The storm cost the R. R. Co., some $300, besides regular expenses. No accidents occurred of any kind.

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