This Day in History: 1940-02-14
One of the worst snowstorms in years blanketed the area. The heavy snow fall which continued for many hours blocked all roads and the snow was drifted by strong northernly winds. Hundreds of cars, buses and trucks were abandoned by the road, 150 of them between Saddle River and the Ramsey traffic circle. Jim Secor reported that his was the only service station open during the storm and every inch of available space at the station and at the fruit and vegetable stand was full as stranded motorists spent the night. Ten people took refuge at Wellingtons, and nearly 200 at the Saddle Inn. A bus, which had taken two hours to get from the City to Paramus, and another to reach to get from the City to Paramus, and another to reach a point one-half mile from the Inn was finally stalled and the passengers walked to the Inn. Among those from Mahwah stranded there were Mrs. Franklin P. Russell, Tom Sawyer, Arthur Christie, Cutler Godfrey, Frank Mulrooney and Mrs. Baines. The food ran out at midnight, but the coffee lasted until the end. Many remained at the Inn for fifteen hours before they were picked up and returned to their homes.
(Bristow)