Letter dated March 14, 1888,

"You no doubt will read in the newspapers detailed accounts of the terrible storm we have had. It is still snowing. Telegraphic communications from New York are interrupted everywhere, except with Europe. The railroads have stopped running altogether, and a small famine, especially as regards milk, has begun.

"On Monday (March 12th) I could not get down town at all. I was on an elevated train that collided with another, and for a few moments we thought everything was over for us. Then some ladders were brought along, and we climbed down to the street.

"Yesterday morning (March 13th) I drove down town myself in my sleigh, and let the horses wait. in Wells Fargo's stables; then I drove up town again along Broadway, but there was no business. Today everything is getting normal again, but unfortunately a number of people lost their lives, or had accidents."

Letter dated March 15, 1888.

"You will have read of the terrible storm we have had here. I was on an elevated train that ran into another, and I thought my last hour had come. That moment, on cursory examination, I found that I had a pretty good conscience. Then we climbed down to the streets on ladders.

"Yesterday (March 14th) it began to thaw, otherwise there would have been quite a famine."

Letter dated March 20, 1888.

"You have read of the terrible snowstorm we have had; the accounts cannot be exaggerated ..............

In March 1935 Mr. Speyer attended the luncheon of "The Blizzard Men of 1888," at which time he elaborated upon the experiences given above. Regarding the accident on the elevated road he said:

"Of course, I felt a little dazed; but I remember one incident which helped me to regain my sense of balance. In those days, almost all houses had high stoops; but they were then covered with deep snow. On a stoop very near where I had my bachelor rooms then, on Fifth Avenue almost opposite the old reservoir-somebody had planted a sign on the stoop in the middle of the deep snow reading: 'KEEP OFF THE GRASS' ! ! ! ...........

One serious word before I close: 1 have always felt that the visible manifestation and realization of the powers of nature over man are of real benefit. First of all, they make all human beings-men, women, and children, to whatever station they may belong, regardless of creed, color or nationality-feel equal, and, secondly, we realize how small and powerless we human beings, in fact, are compared to the forces of nature. Thirdly, it gives each of us an opportunity to be of some use and help to our fellowmen, which is one of the outstanding characteristics of a true American, for which we should all be grateful.

"I have lived altogether 27,000 days, but those two days in March, 1888, will always remain in my memory, and, as I have said before, this experience has been a blessing to me and no doubt to all of those who are present here. I thank you."