99, MO– 165

lornajarrettblanchard April 18, 1880

–165 Blanchard tally from Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, pp. 607-609.

Arkansas ( 10)

–1 Charleston, Franklin County. Grazulis 1993, p. 608.

–4 El Paso, Faulkner County. Three inn one family. Grazulis 1993, p. 609.

–2 Fayetteville, Washington County. Child in a home; woman in wreckage of Tremont House.[1]

–2 Ft. Smith (8 miles south of), Sebastian County. Grazulis 1993, p. 608.

–1 Rover, Yell County. In a house. Grazulis 1993, p. 609.

Illinois ( 1)

–1 Beloit area (3 miles SSW of). Male thrown from house. Grazulis 1993, p. 607.

Kansas ( 1)

–1 Edgerton (NE of). Woman at home. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p607.

Missouri (152)

— 152 Darkow. “A Re-Evaluation of the Tornado Outbreak in Missouri of April 18, 1880,” p.15

— 152 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 606-609.

— 151 History.com. Today in History, Disaster, April 18, 1880. MO is ravaged by tornadoes.”

— 150 Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine 1888. “Every Day’s Record, April” 1889, p. 615.

–>100 Finley, John P., Lt. Signal Corps, U.S. Army. Tornadoes. 1887, p. 100.[2]

–>100 Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. 1982, 73

— 100 New York Times. “Cyclones and Tornadoes. The Damage Caused…,” 3-23-1897, 1.

–14 Barnettsville-New Bloomfield Tornado. Darkow 1984, p. 14.

— 2 Conway Tornado. Darkow 1984, p. 14.

— 2 Elson-Carrington Tornado. Darkow 1984, pp. 14-15.[3]

–31 Finely Creek Tornado. Darkow 1984, p. 12.

— 2 Forsyth Tornado Darkow 1984, p. 13.

–99 James River-Marshfield Tornado Darkow 1984, p. 13.

— 1 Linking Tornado. Darkow 1984, pp. 12-13.

— 1 Pineville-Powell Mike’s Fork Tornado. Darkow 1984, p. 12.

— 8 Barnettsville, Morgan Co. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 608; Darkow 14.[4]

— 2 Callaway County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 608.

–10 “Crane Creek” settlement. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 607; Darkow, 12.

— 6 “Flat Creek” ~McDowell. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 607; Darkow, 12.

— 2 Forsyth, Taney County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 608; Darkow, 13.

— 2 Conway, Laclede co., 2 children. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p608; Darkow, 13.

— 1 Licking, Texas County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 608; Darkow, 13.

— 6 Linden area, Christian Co. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 607; Darkow, 12.

–99 Marshfield tornado [Marshfield (92) and Springfield (7) area.)

–100 “ Webster County. Childs 1886, p. 248.

— 99 “ Darkow, p. 13.

— 99 “ Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 608.

— 99 “ NOAA. The 25 Deadliest.

–92 Marshfield/ Darkow, p. 13.

–69 “within a few seconds.” Darkow, p. 13.

–23 “over the next few weeks as a result of injuries…”

— 92 Marshfield. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, pp. 607-608.

–68 “within a few minutes…”

–24 injured survivors who “eventually died of injuries.”

— 92 Marshfield. Grazulis. The Tornado: Nature’s…Windstorm. 2001, p.292.

— 65 Marshfield. Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 73.[5]

— 1 McDonald County, a child. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 607; Darkow 12.[6]

— 5 Morgan County (southern). Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 608.

— 1 New Bloomfield, Callaway Co. (southeast of). Grazulis 1993, p. 608; Darkow, p. 14.

— 2 Ozark vicinity, Christian Co. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 607; Darkow, 12.

— 1 Powell area (1 mile ENE of); a child. Darkow 1984, p. 12.[7]

— 7 Springfield area [Greene Co.]. Grazulis. The Tornado. 2001, p. 292; Darkow, 13.[8]

—>7 Webster County (southern). Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p.607; Darkow, 12.[9]

Missouri tornado fatalities by county. Darkow 1984, p. 15.

–16 Barry County

— 8 Christian County

— 7 Green County

— 1 McDonaly County

–99 Webster County (Marshfield/92, Finley Creek/2)

Oklahoma ( 1)

–1 Skulleryville area. Man killed and 5 homes destroyed. Grazulis. 1993, p. 608.

Narrative Information

Childs: “The town of Marshfield, Mo., was totally destroyed, and one hundred persons were killed and one hundred and fifteen injured. The town of El Paso, Ark., was also destroyed. (Childs 1886, 248)

Darkow: “During the afternoon and evening of April 18, 1880 one of the most devastating outbreaks of tornadoes ever to have affected Missouri killed more than 150 people in southwest and central Missouri. The city of Marshfield (Webster Co.), the villages of Licking (Texas Co) and Barnettsville (Morgan Co) experienced almost complete destruction of all buildings.

“In several instances two or more tornadoes occurred within tens of minutes of each other following near parallel paths. The proximity of damage paths in both space and time led to some degree of confusion as to the number and true path of the tornadoes. This study is an attempt to re-evaluate the tornado paths and to resolve some of the confusion that existed in the storm summaries compiled shortly after the event on the basis of meager and incomplete reports.

Grazulis: 16:00, McDonald County, MO. “Skipped ENE from 1m S of Pineville through Cyclone and Powell, ending 3m ENE of Powell. A child was killed.” (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, 607.)

16:30, McDonald, Barry, Stone, Christian, Greene, Webster, Wright Counties, MO. “Moved ENE from about 3m SE of Grove Spring. This was one of two major long-track tornadoes to pass just south of Springfield this afternoon. Both were apparently on the ground at the same time. The northern-most funnel passed through Marshfield…and has been called the Marshfield Tornado. This event is called the Finley Creek Tornado and passed about 2m SE of Wheaton, 3m SE of Corsicana, through McDowell, and into extreme NE Barry County. Ten persons were reported killed in the ‘Crane Creek’ settlement. Six were reportedly killed on ‘Flat Creek’ near McDowell. The tornado passed just north of Ozark and Linden, Christian County, where it was very intense. Two people were killed and 33 injured near Ozark, and six people were killed with 19 seriously injured in rural areas near Linden…Thirty-five farms were destroyed in that area. At least seven people died in southern Webster County. The area hit worst was the Dry Fork section of Panther Creek, just north of the present location of Fordland. The funnel passed through Webster County, about a half hour after the Marshfield tornado. One person, on a high ridge between the valley of the James River and the Finley Creek valley, was able to observe this tornado and the next one, but not at the same time.” (Grazulis 1993, 607.)

16:30. Marshfield Tornado, Barry, Stone Christian, Greene, Webster Counties, MO. “Moved ENE from 3m NE of McDowell, passing 1m N of Boaz, across what is now the SE corner of Springfield, where at least seven people were killed. Turning more to the NE, the tornado devastated the town of Marshfield, killing 68 people within a few minutes, and injuring 24 others so badly that they eventually died of injuries. All but 15 buildings in the town of Marshfield were destroyed as the tornado swept a path up to a half mile wide through the community of 1100 people….The final death toll of 99 for this tornado, and the death toll for all Missouri events this day, was determined by the painstaking efforts of Dr. Grant Darkow at the University of Missouri. Using historical documents, his work took place more than 100 years after the event….” (Grazulis 1993, pp. 607-608.)

17:30. Laclede County, MO. “A tornado touched down on Conway, destroying a house and killing two children.” (Grazulis 1993, 608.)

17:30. Camden, Morgan, Miller, Moniteau, Cole, Callaway Counties, MO. “Moved NE from 3m NE of Climax Springs, passing through Barnettsville and cutting a skipping path track north of Jefferson City. The tornado intensified as it crossed rural areas of southern Morgan County, where it killed five people, and devastated farm after farm. The massive funnel was a mile wide as it swept into Barnettsville, where it engulfed and destroyed the town, killing eight more people. The village of Barnettsville never recovered from this devastation and was replaced by the present village of Barnett about one mile to the south. After passing just SE of High Point, the tornado entered Cole County, and passed just 4 m NW of Jefferson City. Many people were injured, but apparently none were killed. Debris from the tornado contributed to the wreck of a passenger train on the Missouri Pacific Railroad about midnight. Two crewmen were injured. One person was killed and several seriously injured as the tornado reintensified SE of New Bloomfield.” (Grazulis 1993, 608.)

18:00. Cole, Boone, Callaway Counties, MO. “Moved NE from NW Cole County about the same time that the Barnettsville tornado was crossing the county further to the south. It first struck between Centertown and Elston. The tornado moved parallel to the Barnettsville track, but about 3m to the NW. It crossed the Missouri River and then hit the extreme southern tip of Boone County, in the Claysville area. Continuing to the NE, it passed about 3m W of New Bloomfield, and through the Guthrie and Carrington areas. Two deaths and at least eight injuries were reported along the portion of the path in Callaway County. The tornado apparently lifted and dissipated a short distance beyond Carrington.” (Grazulis 1993, 608.)

20:10. Texas, Dent Counties, MO. “Moved NE from Big Piney River, 7m SW of Licking, to 4m SW of Salem. The tornado passed down the main street of Licking, tearing apart all but three of the town’s 67 homes. Twenty-nine homes were called ‘destroyed.’ One Child was killed.” (Grazulis 1993, 609.)

21:30. Taney County, MO. “This tornado cut across the county, and through the business district of Forsyth. Several people were possibly injured.” (Grazulis 1993, 609.)

Lippincott’s: “A severe tornado occurred in the Mississippi Valley, doing its greatest damage at the town of Marshfield, Missouri, which was nearly all destroyed, with a loss of one hundred killed and one hundred and fifteen injured. One hundred and fifty lives were lost in the whole course of the storm. Trees three feet in diameter were twisted off and snapped into fragments.” (Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine 1888. “Every Day’s Record, April” 1889, p. 615.)

March 23, NYT: “The lower Missouri towns of Barry, Stone, Webster, and Christian suffered April 18, 1880. One hundred persons were killed, 600 injured, and $1,000,000 worth of property destroyed.” (New York Times. “Cyclones and Tornadoes. The Damage Caused…” 3-23-1897, 1.)

History.com: “Missouri is hit by a string of deadly tornadoes on this day in 1880. Statewide, 151 people were killed by the twisters, including 99 in the town of Marshfield. The first tornado struck at about 4:30 p.m. in Springfield, Missouri, where seven people lost their lives. It then headed northeast toward the town of Marshfield, which had a population of 1,100. Marshfield suffered terrible losses: nearly every building in the town was either destroyed or seriously damaged and almost one of every 10 residents was killed. Given the damage, it is estimated that the tornado had winds of over 200 miles per hour.” (Today in History, Disaster, April 18, 1880. “Missouri is ravaged by tornadoes.”)

Contemporary Newspapers

April 19: “(By Associated Press)…St. Louis, April 19.–Passengers who passed through Marshfield, on the St. Louis and San Francisco railroad, at half-past eight last night, give a few facts concerning a terrible disaster. A man who came to the depot at the edge of the town while the train was there reported that at 6:30 o’clock a furious hurricane struck the place and leveled all that part of the town lying west of the Centre Square flat to the ground. The debris immediately took fire in several places, and the flames could be seen at some half dozen points by the passengers on the train. Forty dead bodies had been taken out and many more were supposed to be buried in the ruins or burned up.

“There were also many living still imprisoned in the debris of the fallen buildings. All the physicians of the town were killed excepting two, and there was great need of doctors to attend to the wounded, of whom it was said there were some 200. A relief train, with twenty physicians and nurses and full of supplies, left Springfield, Mo., this morning for Marshfield, and probably other trains will arrive during the day.

“The storm was general in Southwestern Missouri, and other places probably suffered damage, but as the telegraph wires were all prostrated, no advices have been received. A violent hail and rain storm accompanied the wind….” (Associated Press. “Western Storms….Marshfield, Mo., Destroyed and a Large Number of People Killed and Wounded.” Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, 4-20-1880, p. 1.)

April 19: “St. Louis, April 19.–Telegraphic communication has been partially restored with Marshfield. The death list up to seven P.M. numbers seventy-eight, and many persons are still missing, several of whom have doubtless been buried under the debris. The following are the names of some of the prominent persons and their families who were discovered early in the day:

Mrs. Judge Fijan,

Dan. Wright and wife,

Rev. E. Canda [unclear]

Matilda Widemeyer,

Fred Widemeyer and two children,

Sheriff Johnson’s wife,

Child of J. S. Rust,

Mrs. Todd,

Dr. Bradford,

Sidney Bradford,

Mary Ray and child,

Mrs. Charles Holley and child,

Mrs. Malinda Potter,

Mrs. Florence Moore and

Hugh Kelso.

“Eighty-five wounded are in the school house, which has been converted into a hospital among whom are the following seriously injured:

Addie Widemeyer,

Mrs. E. Canda,

James E. Hicks,

Mrs. Dodge,

Four children of Mrs. F. Moore,

N. Moore,

Fannie Rush,

Bettie Rush,

Mrs. J. L. Rush,

Nathan Smith,

Isham Smith,

Samuel Chrisman, wife and six children and

C. Smith.

(AP. “Seventy-Eight Persons Killed at Marshfield.” Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, 4-20-1880, p. 1.)

April 21: “The town of Marshfield, leveled by the storm of Sunday afternoon, is the capital of Webster county, Missouri, and situated on the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway, in the southern part of the State. The disaster was as complete as any ever wrought by the hurricanes of the tropics. To add to the terror of the scene, the Court House and many other buildings took fire, when the ruins around ignited and the wretched people imprisoned in them were burned to death. How many lives were lost and how many persons injured is not yet known, for the storm, as if in malice, broke the telegraph wires in eighty-three places. Thus far over one hundred are known to have been killed, while the wounded were counted by hundreds. The town contained 800 inhabitants and all but a few houses were destroyed. At Marshfield the storm path was a half mile wide and swept almost everything from the earth in its mad course. Physicians and supplies are sent to the suffering from all parts and we may soon expect full reports of the situation.” (Weekly Messenger, Indiana, PA. 4-21-1880, p. 2, col. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Seventy-Eight Persons Killed at Marshfield.” Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, 4-20-1880, p. 1. Accessed 8-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-inquirer-apr-20-1880-p-1/

Associated Press. “Western Storms….Marshfield, Mo., Destroyed and a Large Number of People Killed and Wounded.” Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, 4-20-1880, p. 1. Accessed 8-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-inquirer-apr-20-1880-p-1/

Childs, Emery E. A History of the United States In Chronological Order From the Discovery of America in 1492 to the Year 1885. NY: Baker & Taylor, 1886. Google digitized. Accessed 9-4-2017: http://books.google.com/books?id=XLYbAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Darkow, Grant L. “A Re-Evaluation of the Tornado Outbreak in Missouri of April 18, 1880. The Marshfield Tornado Day.” White River Valley Historical Quarterly, Vol. 8, No. 6, Winter 1984. Accessed 8-7-2018 at: https://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/wrv/V8/N6/W84l.htm

Finley, John P., Lt. Signal Corps, U.S. Army. “Report of Tornadoes for the Month of April 1887,” Monthly Weather Review, Vol. 15, No. 4, April 1887, p. 108. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=QFkUAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:LCCN74648196&source=gbs_book_other_versions_r&cad=5#v=onepage&q=&f=true

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993.

Grazulis, Thomas P. The Tornado: Nature’s Ultimate Windstorm. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2001, 324 pages

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, April 18, 1880. “Missouri is ravaged by tornadoes.” Accessed 12-7-2008 at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=04/18&categoryId=disaster

Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine 1888. “Every Day’s Record,” Vol. XLIII, January to June 1888, 1889. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=nLURAAAAYAAJ

Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.

New York Times. “Cyclones and Tornadoes. The Damage Caused by Heavy Winds in This Country,” March 23, 1897, p. 1. Accessed at: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D02E7D61339E433A25750C2A9659C94669ED7CF

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The 25 Deadliest U.S. Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center, NOAA. Accessed 10-12-2008 at: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/killers.html

Weekly Messenger, Indiana, PA. 4-21-1880, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 8-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-weekly-messenger-apr-21-1880-p-2/

[1] Grazulis 1993, p. 609.

[2] We assume that sources noting 100 or over (>) 100 fatalities are referring to the Marshfield tornado.

[3] Mistakenly referred to by Darkow as traversing through “Gallaway” county. Should be “Callaway” county.

[4] Darkow refers to this as “The Barnettsville-New Broomfield tornado, which killed 14 in all — five in southern Morgan County, and one in New Bloomfield.

[5] Reason for difference between Ludlum and other accounts may have to do with immediate versus later deaths from injuries. Grazulis (below) writes that 68 people died “within a few minutes” and 24 others were so badly injured “that they eventually died of injuries.”

[6] 16:00, F2 tornado.

[7] Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not use in tally, in that we believe this is same death noted by Grazulis for McDonald county.

[8] This is the same tornado they went through Marshfield, killing, eventually, 92. Thus, this single tornado killed 99.

[9] Darkow notes “…three deaths in a family by the name of Rose, three deaths in a Scott family and a Mr. Ruben Yates.” (p. 13.)