Douglas Daily Dispatch

COLORADO TOWN HOPES TO DIG OUT OF SNOW BANK IN 2 WEEKS

SILVERTON, Colo., March 1. (AP)

The radio, cards, checkers and knitting are helping Silverton and San Juan county's nerves against the tedious ordeal of at least two weeks of isolation from the outside world. This little town of 1200 inhabitants expects to "dig out" from one of the worst snowstorms in years within the next two weeks.

Railroads are running to a point six and one-half miles distant and workers are operating snow plows at either end of the Durango to Silverton road. The San Juan country each winter is a territory of white silence. Once the little village of Silverton was snowed in for 36 days. Then, as now, foodstuffs were brought in on toboggans. The region has an adequate supply of coal and wood.

(Continued on Page Eight)
(Continued from Page One)

Colo. Town Hopes to Dig Out of Snow in 2 Weeks

Only the necessities are being hauled in at present. Mail is being delivered every few days. Newspapers and letters were being carried here from Durango last Sunday.

"We are not down-hearted," Mayor Ben B. Allen said today over long distance telephone. "We have plenty of snow up here in these mountains—enough to last us all winter, but we'll pull through. If our water supply gives out we will have the snow to draw on. Nobody is wanting the necessities of life."

Practically all business has been suspended. Children are taking a forced leave of absence from school. Everyone appears to be in high spirits, but another fortnight is expected to welcome the relief from the tension that no doubt will come.

The San Juan country has had virtually no automobile transportation since November 16, when the first hard snow of the winter enveloped the region. The rays of the winter sun have failed to melt much of the snow and in some places drifts are piled 60 feet deep.

The weather today was clear and warm and for the first time in many weeks residents saw promise of relief from arctic conditions. Only two deaths have been attributed to the storms, those being the result of a snow slide 10 days ago.