1884 — March 25, Storm system spawns Tornadoes, Al, GA, SC, NC, KY, IN, OH –30-43

–30-43 Blanchard tally.*
— 30 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 389, 480 and 627-628.
— >30 Schmidlin and Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland. 1996, p. 234.

*Grazulis writes of at least thirty deaths while noting there were possibly nine more (39). We note press reporting of four deaths in Harrison County, KY, while Grazulis notes only one and possibly two.

Summary of State Breakouts

Alabama ( 0-1)
Georgia ( 3-4)
Indiana ( 1-2)
Kentucky ( 5-8)
North Carolina ( 6-11)
Ohio ( 4)
South Carolina (11-13)

Totals 30-43

Breakout of Tornado Fatalities by State and Locality

Alabama (0-1)
–1? Centre, Cherokee County, 2000, F2. “One person probably died.” Grazulis 1993, p. 628.

Georgia (3-4)
— 4 Blanchard tally. Based on Grazulis for three, and Atlanta Constitution for 4th in Dallas area.
— 3 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 627.
— 1 Dallas area, Paulding County. Four-year-old Cooper girl killed by falling chimney brick.
— 1 Gainesville, Hall County. African-American woman (Mrs. Dan Pittman) killed by timber.
–1 Forsyth and Hall Counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p627.
— 2 Lowell area, Carroll Co., 1630 F2. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p627.

Indiana (1-2)
–1-2 Scipio, Franklin Co, 1630 F3. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p.627.

Kentucky (5-8)
— 10 Harrison Co., Colemansville. “It is said that ten persons were killed by the flying debris.”
–5-8 Blanchard tally.
–5-6 Two tornadoes Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 314.
— 4 Harrison County. South Haven Sentinel, MI. “Destructive Cyclones.” 3-29-1884, p. 1.
–1 Colemansville. Three-week-old baby of Mrs. A. H. Lail. (Grazulis notes 1-2.)
–1 Farmer Cowan.
–1 Small child named Papeno.
–1 Drowning; Mr. Glatfelter.
— 4 Laurel, Jackson counties, F2. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 627.
— 4 Pittsburg, Laurel Co. Newark…Advocate, OH. “The Terrible Storm.” 3-26-1884, 1.
–3 Mrs. Broughton, her two children, when their small cabin was knocked down.
–1 John Hartman, RR brakeman, blown from freight car, breaking neck.

North Carolina (6-11)
— 11 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–6-11 Grazulis. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 627.

— 6 Lenoir, Caldwell County. “Six ladies are known to have been killed.”
–? Lenoir, “Rumors from Lenoir say a whole family were killed.”
–1-6 Caldwell County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 627.
— 2 Catawba and Iredell Counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 627.
–1 Newton. Mary Hunsucker. South Haven Sentinel, MI. “Destructive Cyclones.” 3-29-1884, 1.
— 3 Stanley, Montgomery Counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 628.

Ohio ( 4)
— 2 Philanthropy, Butler County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 627.
–2 Scipio (known as Philanthropy then). Schmidlin / Schmidlin. Thunder in…, p. 234.
— 2 Warren, Montgomery, Green counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes… 1993, p. 627.
–2 Ridgeville (east of), Warren County. Schmidlin and Schmidlin. Thunder in…, p. 234.

South Carolina (11-13)
–11-13 Blanchard. Based on Grazulis.
— 11 State. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 389.
–1 Chester County, 1800, F2. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. P. 628.
–9 Oconee, Anderson, Greenville Counties (F3). Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes… 627.
— 1 Seneca, Oconee County, 1600 (4:00 pm). Girl killed by chimney.
–>5 Piedmont, Anderson and Greenville counties. Small homes on plantations.
— 3 Simpsonville, Greenville County, 1600. In one home.
–1-3 Greenville County (F2). Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p.627.
— 0 Fairfield County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 389.
— 0 Spartanburg County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 389.
— 0 York County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 389.

Narrative Information

Georgia

March 26: “Yesterday morning [25th] many parts of the state were enveloped in a sheet of rain, followed by storms of wind and hail. In the afternoon several points were visited by miniature cyclones which left behind them great damage to property. Near Dallas [Paulding County] the flying timbers carried danger to human life. One child was killed and several persons were wounded. Approaching Acworth [Cobb County] houses were swept away in its course. The next heard of it was at Gainesville [Hall County], where a negro woman lost her life. The report that the house of Rev. W. C. Wilkes had been destroyed created intense excitement, as it was known that fifteen young lady pupils made that house their home. Fortunately, however, they were all at the school house, and no loss of life occurred. The storm generally passed through sections inaccessible by wire, and it will take a day or two to gather the full details.

“Butler, March 25. – This county ha been visited by a disastrous wind and hail storm. The damage to property has been great, fences, houses, etc., being swept away. In Dooly cunty much damage was also done. No lives, however, were lost….

“LaGrange, March 25 – A cyclone, about one hundred yards wide at its base, passed half a mile north of town at six o’clock this evening, tearing up trees and fences, but fortunately no houses were in its track as heard from. The whole town were out to vies, and were wild with excitement.

“Grantsville, March 25. – We had no wind, but a little rain and heavy clouds, and no cyclone. The cyclone passed in six miles of Grantville at about six fifteen p.m. It did much damage, but the particulars cannot be had.

“Dallas, Ga., March 25 – A small cyclone passed north of this place today, about 12…going in a northeasterly direction towards Acworth. It passed very rapidly. It was funnel shaped, and the rolling and tumbling clouds could be distinctly seen and the roaring of the wind could be heard.

“The cyclone struck Bud Cooper’s house, about three miles from town, blowing it down and severely wounding all of his family, and perhaps killing an infant child. Several of the citizens have gone out with physicians. No other families have been heard from as yet. Mr. Bud Cooper is a brother of our merchant, T. J. Cooper.

“Additional particulars of the cyclone which passed north of Dallas are gathered from an eyewitness. The cyclone seemed to form about one mile northwest of Dallas, going in a northeasterly direction. The first farm struck where any damage was done was Jeff Strickland’s. Here it unroofed his dwelling, but no one was hurt. The next place was Tom Lawrence’s, unroofing his house, laying wreck the timber and fencing. Mr. Lawrence is held in Atlanta for illicit distilling, and his wife and children are in a most pitiable condition. It then struck the farm of Mr. Banks Cooper, completely demolishing his dwelling, which was a large double log house, and all the out houses. Mr. Cooper’s family were all in the house. He had his four year-old girl in his arms, which was killed by a falling rock from the chimney, and broke the leg of an older daughter, Ella. Mr. Cooper was bruised about the head. All of the family were more or less hurt. The next farm in the track of the storm was Mr. John Sandford’s. Here it unroofed his house. Mrs. Sandford was hurt about the should4rs. This was as far as our informant went in the track of the storm, which was making in the direction of Acworth and laying waste everything in its track.

Destruction Near Acworth

“Acworth, March 25 – The first we heard of the cyclone it struck the farm of John McLair, five miles southwest of Acworth, where it swept everything in its wake, timbers, fences, his barns and gin house, and on through the premises of Wm. McLair where it did its work in the same terrible way. It missed his buildings but killed some of his cattle. Thence it went into the plantation of Doc Davenport, taking away one of his tenant houses to thee floor, leaving a sick negro woman in bed uninjured. Then it leaped across five miles to near [unclear word – looks like “Mooab”], where it demoralized some of the buildings on Captain Hammett’s place and destroyed Johnson’s gin house. Mr. James Johnson’s dwelling out houses and tenant houses were all torn down. Mr. Allen Boring’s promises met with a like fate and Mr. Boring was injured. Others suffered similarly….

Passing Over Woodstock

“Marietta, March 25. – Today about 1 p.m. a miniature cyclone passed within two hundred yards of Woodstock, Ga [Cherokee County] doing great damage to houses and fences, but as far as known no one was killed. It was seen approaching when two miles away and came rushing along with the speed and the noise of a hundred express trains. Its direction was from southwest to northeast and swept a track two hundred yards wide. Below are noted some of the houses blown down:
Geo. Fowler’s barn destroyed,
Mathew’s outbuildings,
Elron, dwelling house and outbuildings,
Frank Bryan, colored, dwelling house and out-buildings, including chicken houses and fine
lot of fowls.
Doo Roberts had the verandah swept from his house.

“All fences in the track of the storm were swept away.

“A mattress was found one mile from Woodstock. It is not known to whom it belonged.

Lula Blown Up.

“Lula [Hall County], March 25. – A cyclone passed near here this evening about 5:30. It lowed down Marion Capes house, and hurt all the family more or less, one of his sons seriously. Great damage to timber and other property is reported.

Around Gainesville.

“Gainesville, March 25. – At 2 o’clock p.m. today a terrible cyclone passed through the northern part of Gainesville, carrying death and destruction before it. It was magnificent but awful in its results. Houses were swept away like chaff and the woods were swept as clean as a floor. Only meagre reports have been received, but at least a dozen houses fell in this part, and were entirely demolished. Only one death is reported, a colored woman, the wife of Dan Pittman, who was killed by a falling timber. Many were hurt, but none severely. The cyclone was funnel shape, the center being a black cloud fringed with white. It dipped down and up and travelled like the lightning’s flash. It travelled from west to east and the first damage done, so far as heard from, was at Wood’s mill one mile west of Gainesville, where it done great damage to the tenant houses injuring a little boy of Mr. Rainey seriously. It then pounced upon Mr. W. B. Simmon’s two-story house, raised it from its foundation, and scattered it to the four winds. Mrs. Simons and her little girl were the only occupants of the house, and they saved themselves by going into the smoke-house cellar.

“It then claimed Dr. Wilkes’s house, and leveled it to the ground, breaking the furniture and scattering the family clothing, blowing it into the tops of trees, over hills and dales. No one was at home except Mrs. Wilkes. Her husband, together with about fifteen girls, were at the Baptist seminary, unconscious of the harm at their home….Its violence is indescribable. Its main path extended about two hundred yards, and its course almost an air line. It tore down two tenant houses of Mrs. Dorsey’s, one for Mr. Marshal, Colonel A. D. Candler’s barn, George K. Looper’s barn, and done damage to R. V. Cobb’s house and other damage too numerous to mention. It passed the Air Line railroad 3 miles north of Gainesville, and levelled a large two-story house which was occupied by Mr. Powers. No damage to life. Large hail stones fell along the banks of the Chattahoochee during the storm, 3 miles west of Gainesville.” (Atlanta Constitution. “Wind and Hail.” 3-26-1884, p. 1.)

Indiana

March 27: “Indianapolis, Ind., March 27. – The storm appears to have covered but a narrow area, but was very destructive. The damage in this city and vicinity was trifling. At Brightwood, four miles east, a Miss Karibo was so badly injured by falling timbers that she will die. In the neighborhood of Connersville a number of houses were unroofed and barns leveled to the earth. The barns and other buildings of the Updegraph farm, south of Connersville, were badly damaged. Two barns belonging to William Robinson, in the same neighborhood, were wrecked and his residence badly damaged. The house of James Van Horn was unroofed. The large barn of Daniel Sherry was moved ten feet from its foundation and demolished. The barn of Leonard Petro was also unroofed, as was that of Basil McCann. There are farms in the storm’s track which have hardly a fence standing. At Bedford an engine and traveler used for transferring stone from the cars at the Hollowell Granite Company’s mills were blown from the track, falling at a distance of about twenty feet upon the track of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railway, causing considerable detention of the south-bound train.” (South Haven Sentinel, MI. “Destructive Cyclones.” 3-29-1884, p. 1.)

Kentucky

March 26: “London, Ky., March 26. – A terrific cyclone, the severest even known in this section of the country, passed near this place and Pittsburg, two miles north of London, at four o’clock yesterday evening carrying death and destruction in its train, especially at Pittsburg, where it was the severest. At this place the new Methodist Church, the framing of which had just been completed and a portion of the weather-boarding put on, was razed to the ground; damages about $150. Several other pieces of property sustained slight damage.

“At Pittsburg, John Hartman, a brakeman on a freight train, was blown from a box-car and carried about fifty feet, lighting on his head in a creek, breaking his neck and causing instant death. Mr. Hartman was about thirty years of age and leaves a widow and three children at Livingston Station, Ky. Three freight boxes, two coal-oil tanks and a caboose were thrown from the track. The South-bound mail train was detained about five hours. A little cabin in which a Mrs. Broughton was living was blown down, instantly killing Mrs. Broughton and her two little children.

“The following persons are thought to be mortally wounded: Colonel C. W. Stringer, both legs broken and cut in the head; Mrs. C. W. Stringer, hip mashed; Robert Redding, spinal column broken and cut in the head; Miss Sallie Goff, cut in the head; James Warren, two ribs broken and wound in the head…” (Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “The Terrible Storm. Further Particulars of the Great Tornado.” 3-26-1884, p. 1.)

March 27: “Berrys [Berry], Ky., March 27. – The greatest calamity that ever befell this section occurred Tuesday evening [25th] about one mile from this place. A tornado struck the village of Colemansville [Harrison County], and utterly wiped it out of existence, after which it passed over Mount Nebor several miles east, and left hardly a house standing. From there the cyclone passed on to Antioch, Snakelick and Conroy, doing in these places mor or less damage.

“About four o’clock the oppressive atmosphere and gathering clouds gave evidence of an approaching storm and a light rain began to fall. This gave way to hail, which poured down like shot accompanied by high winds. The latter increased in fury until it formed a cyclone which struck Colemanville full on the southwestern side, and in a few moments had almost obliterated the town from existence. Every one either ran into the street or sought refuge in cellars, and many were injured by falling timbers, which dropped around in all directions. In the midst of the storm a Mrs. A. H. Lail rushed out of the house with her infant, three weeks old. The storm tore the child from her arms, while she was blown across the street against a neighbor’s house. She was picked up insensible and badly injured, and the baby was found dead two hundred yards distant.

“At Conroy, another village, the houses are scattered around promiscuously, and the place, like Colemansville, is almost entirely obliterated. Roofs of houses were torn away, trees from an adjoining wood carried into the place, and every house injured. The storm then attacked the dense wood of Thomas Earl, and literally cleared the place, four hundred trees being blown down or carried off. Snake Lick, another small village, is also nearly destroyed, while Claysville, Little Richland and other places sustained serious injuries. St the latter place Strew’s workhouse, a large brick building, is entirely demolished. An almost incredible amount of damage has been done, while the suffering of families rendered homeless is terrible. Fifty families, perhaps more, are seeking what shelter they can, and provisions are very scarce.

“The path of the cyclone is nearly half a mile wide and extends along the northern portion of Harrison County a distance of fifteen miles. All along this distance can be found remnants of household articles, clothing and fencing. Reports of damage done by the cyclone of yesterday evening pour in from all directions. Barns, stables and sheds in great numbers have been destroyed and the timbers carried along in the terrific breeze for hundreds of yards. Entire orchards and parts of stately forests have been laid waste. It is remarkable that only two lives have been lost, Cowan, the farmer, and Papeno, a small child….” (South Haven Sentinel, MI. “Destructive Cyclones.” 3-29-1884, p. 1.)

March 27 newspaper: “….Ten Lives Lost. A Falmouth, Ky., special says a fearful cyclone passed through the woods just south of that town, on the Kentucky railroad, at two o’clock. The track of the cyclone was half a mile wide, from east to west, upturning trees and everything else in its path. Many trees were blown across the railroad track, and are now being cleared away by workmen. So far no lives have been reported lost nor building destroyed. It is reported that the village of Colemanville, in Harrison county, forth miles from Lexington, Ky., was almost entirely destroyed by a cyclone, which swept over it at five o’clock this afternoon. It is said that ten persons were killed by the flying debris. Fifteen or twenty were injured. Nothing definite is known.

“A terrific cyclone passed near Loudon, Ky, and Pittsburg [Laurel Co.], about 4 p.m. yesterday. The Methodist church was razed to the ground, and much other property damaged. At Pittsburg, John Hailman, brakeman, was blown from the freight car and carried about fifty feet, lighting on his head in the creek. His neck was broken. Three freight cars, two coal oil tanks and a caboose were blown from the track and several persons were slightly injured. A little cabin occupied by a family named Broughton, was blown down and Mrs. Broughton and two little children were instantly killed. The following persons are thought to be mortally wounded: Colonel C. W. Stringer, both legs broken and cut in the head; Mrs. C. W. Stringer, hip mashed; Robt. Riddens, spinal column broken and cut in the head; Miss Sallie Guff, cut in the head; James Warren, two ribs broken, and wounded in the head.” (Atlanta Constitution. “The Cyclone’s Path.” 3-27-1884, p. 1.)

North Carolina

March 27: “Charlotte, N.C. March 27. – Dispatches continue to come in regarding Tuesday night’s cyclone in this section of the State. At Newton [Catawba County] thirty houses were blown down, the Methodist Church was wrecked, and the residences of Rev. Colry Killian and Charles Jewett swept away. Cline & Williams’ flouring mills were partially destroyed. Mary Hunsucker was killed and fourteen persons wounded. Rumors from Lenoir [Caldwell County] say a whole family were killed. Six ladies are known to have been killed. The telegraph wires are down. At Mecklenburg five or six residences were destroyed, but no lives were lost.” (South Haven Sentinel, MI. “Destructive Cyclones.” 3-29-1884, p. 1.)
Ohio

March 27, Atlanta Constitution report: “….The First Reports Confirmed. Further details of the cyclone near Dayton, Ohio, confirms the first reports of the damage done. Six miles south of the city the destruction was most general and frightful. It first appeared in a southwesterly direction from Lebanon, passed rapidly to the northeast. Its track is most marked in the vicinity of Oakridge, on the narrow gauge railroad, where the whole forest has been levelled and buildings razed. The railroad is blockaded by falling timber and the trains delayed. Near Oak Ridge a house and barn and other outbuilding belonging to Thomas Andrews, were blown quite a distance by the wind and buried under falling timbres. The path of the cyclone, fifty yards in width, and the forests show where it rose from the earth and descended again on Lebanon pike. It passed between the house and barn of William Popenoe, but being high up did but little damage. The little daughter of Abram Wilson, a farmer, was crushed under the timbers of the barn at Oak Ridge, and other loss of life is feared. The full extent of the loss cannot yet be given.” (Atlanta Constitution. “The Cyclone’s Path.” 3-27-1884, p. 1.)

South Carolina

Tennessee

March 25: “Knoxville, March 25 – A terrific hail and wind storm, accompanied by thunder, occurred here this afternoon. Hail covered the ground and did not disappear for several hours. Hail stones weighing from 1 to 2 ounces were abundant. Much damage was done to windows and store fronts. A severe gale struck the northern portion of the city and demolished fifteen frame buildings. No lives were lost, but several persons were slightly injured….” (Atlanta Constitution. “Wind and Hail.” 3-26-1884, p. 1.)

Sources

Atlanta Constitution. “The Cyclone’s Path.” 3-27-1884, p. 1. Accessed 3-1-2020d at: https://newspaperarchive.com/atlanta-constitution-mar-27-1884-p-1/

Atlanta Constitution. “Wind and Hail.” 3-26-1884, p. 1. Accessed 3-1-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/atlanta-constitution-mar-26-1884-p-1/

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.

Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “The Terrible Storm. Further Particulars of the Great Tornado.” 3-26-1884, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=6369887

Schmidlin, Thomas W. and Jeanne Appelhans Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland: A Chronicle of Outstanding Weather Events in Ohio. Kent State University Press, 1996.

South Haven Sentinel, MI. “Destructive Cyclones.” 3-29-1884, p. 1. Accessed 2-29-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/south-haven-sentinel-mar-29-1884-p-1/