January 16, 1861, The New York Herald
Much disappointment was manifested yesterday morning by a number of persons when, on arriving at the Park, they found there was no skating, although the flags on the cars still stated that the ball was up. Such deception on the part of the avenue railroad managers may have induced a few persons to ride yesterday, but it will ultimately tend to their disadvantage; for, like the hoax on the M.P., when really true, the statement will not be believed. On arriving at the Park, not only was the ball down, but also the white flag over the round house – the red pennant of danger waving in its stead. The reason of this course of action was that the ice was very soft, and, if skating had been allowed, it would have been so wretchedly and roughly cut up that it would have destroyed it for skating during the whole season. Further than this, nearly two hundred men were engaged clearing off the snow and all other impediments from the surface, and it was deemed the better course to allow them full scope for their work for at least one day. Should frost set in before a thaw, or another heavy rain, the ice will then be in a first rate condition. So hope on, boys.
The heavy rains of the preceding night had made the paths and the drives in anything but an agreeable state for either pedestrian or sleighing parties. Yet the jingle of more than one, or even one hundred, sets of bells, told plainly that if ever so slight an opportunity exists for a sleigh ride our citizens will take advantage thereof. But a few persons were to be seen on foot, unless they had come there for the purpose of skating, and those very soon left the grounds, for the half diluted snow had a great effect on their .”
The roadways to the Park were in the most uncomfortable state imaginable, which those who walked very soon found out; for, what with the salt on the tracks the rain and the snow, we doubt if even alligator skin could have resisted its influence. Certainly the motto “nothing like leather” could only be made applicable when nothing better could be obtained.