1901 — Heat Waves, except for Pacific NW, esp. June 27-July 6 in Northeast –4,012
–10,000 Lesher, David. “Western Maryland Weather.” Frederick Post, 7-25-1988, p. B6.[1]
— 9,508 AP. “Heat Can Be Uncomfortable…Deadly.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA. 7-9-1986.
— 9,508 AP. “Heat Wave Worst of the Century.” Ottawa Herald, KS. 10-16-1980, p. 10.
–>9,500 AP/Schmid. “Heat’s heavy toll…” Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA, 7-24-1998, B3.
–>9,500 Cumberland News, MD. “Heat Waves are Dangerous.” 8-21-1987, p. 8. Cites NYT.
— 4,012 Heat and sunstroke. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900-1904, lxx.[2]
–2,472 Males –1,540 Females. Census Bureau. Mortality Statistics 1900-1904. P. 246.
Age Breakouts Total Males Females (pp. 246-247)
Under 1 512 302 210
1 year old 133 67 66
2 years old 21 12 9
3 years old 15 10 5
4 years old 14 4 10
5-9 29 13 16
10-14 19 15 4
15-19 28 16 12
20-24 91 60 31
25-29 153 114 39
30-34 204 159 45
35-39 311 260 51
40-44 300 226 74
45-49 309 237 72
50-54 281 184 97
55-59 280 177 103
60-64 302 147 155
65-69 275 143 132
70-74 248 101 147
75-79 186 88 98
80-84 152 60 92
85-89 75 34 41
90-94 29 8 21
95+ 7 3 4 Unknown 38 total, 32 male, 6 female.
— 3,531 Blanchard estimate based on reports below.[3]
Summary of Heat-Related Mortality Compilation by State
Alabama 1
Arkansas 3
Connecticut 47
District of Columbia 73
Illinois 83
Indiana 90
Iowa 7
Kentucky 13
Louisiana 2
Maine 9
Maryland ~226
Michigan 53
Minnesota 1
Missouri 240
Nebraska 13
New Hampshire 21
New Jersey 467
New York 1,565
Ohio 48
Oklahoma 3
Pennsylvania 312
Rhode Island 34
Vermont 8
Virginia 5
Wisconsin 14
Heat Death Breakout by States and Localities
(Lines highlighted in yellow indicate deaths that are not included in our tally.)
Alabama ( 1)
— 1 Decatur, July 11. Sandusky Daily Star, OH. “Sol as a Scorcher.” 7-12-1901, p. 2.
Arkansas ( 3)
— 2 Pine Bluff, July 11. Sandusky Daily Star, OH. “Sol as a Scorcher.” 7-12-1901, p. 2.
— 1 “ July 12. Columbus Daily Herald, IN. “Heat Record Broken.” 7-13-1901, p. 1.
Connecticut (47)
–47 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 238.
–32 Cities.
–15 Rural.
— 1 Stamford, July 2. Unnamed male. Boston Daily Globe. “Death by Heat and Storm.” 7-2-1901, 1.
District of Columbia (73)
— 73 US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 238.
— 35 Blanchard tally of breakouts-by-date noted below.
— 30 Washington DC. July 1-3. Atlanta Constitution. “Heat Deadly at Washington.” 7-6-1901, 1.[4]
“ — 2 July 1. New York Times. “Whole Country Swelters.” 7-2-1901.
“ — 7 July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “Dropped Dead by Hundreds.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.[5]
“ –18 July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “Heat Deadly at Washington.” 7-6-1901, p. 1.
“ — 2 July 3. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Rain Conquers Heat…,” 4 July 1901, p. 1.
“ –Dr. Edmund Weston. Massillon Independent, OH. “More Deaths…” 7-8-1901, 3.
— 5 “ July 6. Helena Independent, MT. “Backbone of Hot Wave…” 7-9-1901, p. 1.
Illinois (83)
— 83 State Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 1 Benton June 30. Cayuga Herald, IN. “Hot Wave Scorches.” 6-30-1901, p. 14.[6]
— 7 Chicago, June 13. Six males and one female.[7]
— 3 “ June 14. Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “Deaths Due to Heat.” 6-21-1901, 6.
— 2 “ June 22. Male fell from 3rd story window “trying to get fresh air” and male, 76.[8]
–2-3 “ June 24. Trenton Times, NJ. “Men and Cattle Die of Heat.” 6-25-1901, p. 1.[9]
— 2 “ June 25. Paul Dooley and Nicholas Schuickrath. (18 non-fatal prostrations).[10]
— 4 “ June 26. George Smith, Emma Jefferson, Walter Steinberg, John Volkman.[11]
— 2 “ June 28. Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. “Hot Weather in New York.” 6-29-1901, 1.[12]
— 27 “ June 30-July 3. Decatur Herald, IL. “Deaths and Prostrations,” 7-4-1901, 1.
“ –5 July 1. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Five Drop Dead in Chicago,” July 2, 1901, 2.
“ –3 July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “Dropped Dead by Hundreds.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
“ –3 July 3. Decatur Herald, IL. “Deaths and Prostrations,” July 4, 1901, p. 1.
— 3 “ July 4. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Three Deaths in Chicago,” July 4, 1901, p. 1.[13]
— 9 “ July 5. Montana Anaconda Standard. “Intense Heat Continues.” 7-6-1901, 1.
— 10 “ July 10. The World, NYC. “West is Fairly Baking.” 7-11-1901, p. 2.
— 8 “ July 22. Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “The Heat Kills.” 7-22-1901, p. 1.
— 3 “ July 27, by 10 a.m. Racine Daily Journal. “Hot Again in Chicago.” 7-27-1901, 2.
— 1 Mattoon, June 30. NYT. “Died From Heat On Train,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col. 1.
— 1 “ Late July. Edward Robinson.[14]
Indiana ( 90)
–90 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 238.
–40 Cities.
–50 Rural.
— 1 Fort Wayne, July 2. Fort Wayne Evening Sentinel, IN. “First Fatality from Heat.” 7-3-1901, 8.
— 1 Goshen, July 5. Mrs. Emanuel Cripe.[15]
— 3 Newberg area, June 26. Two farm hands and Mrs. Charlotte Walker. 100° in Evansville.[16]
Iowa ( 7)
— 7 State. June 26-July 22. Blanchard tally from breakouts below.
— 1 Burlington, June 30. Cayuga Herald, IN. “Hot Wave Scorches.” 6-30-1901, p. 14.[17]
— 1 Davenport, June 26. Drowning; female, 65, “crazed by intense heat…jumped into cistern.”[18]
— 2 “ July 5. Anaconda Standard, MT. “Intense Heat Continues.” 7-6-1901, p. 1.
— 2 Des Moines, July 21-22. Racine Weekly Journal, WI. “Heat Reaches its Maximum.” 7-25-1901, 6.
— 1 Onawa, Jordan township, Monona County, June 29. Frank Crum, farmer and cattle feeder.[19]
Kansas ( ?)
— ? Kansas City. (See Kansas City MO, July 21-22; 14 deaths are noted for KC, MO and KS.)
Kentucky ( 13)
–13 Blanchard tally based on breakouts below (showing range of 2-3 for Louisville, July 3).
— 8 Hopkinsville, July 3. Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “Thousands Die from the Heat.” 7-3-1901, 1.
— 2 Louisville ~July 3. Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “Thousands Die from the Heat.” 7-3-1901, 1.
— 3 “ July 3. Fort Wayne Evening Sentinel, IN. “Weather Shows Little Mercy.” 7-3-1901, 8.
Louisiana ( 2)
–1 Jefferson Parish, opposite New Orleans, July 13. Male; sunstroke.[20]
–1 Shreveport, July 13. Notes two, but states that “liquor was the main cause of death” in one.[21]
Maine ( 9)
— 9 US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 239.
–1 Cities. –8 Rural.
— 1 Bangor, July 16. Cornelius Donovan, 50, over-hauler in lumber docks.[22]
— 1 Portland, July 16. Sarah E. Gordon, 13.[23]
— 1 South Gardiner, July 16. William Page “died from prostration by heat…while haying.”[24]
Maryland (~226)
–~226 Baltimore. June 30-July 6. NYT. “Record Number of Deaths in Baltimore.” 7-7-1901.[25]
–103 “ June 30-July 7. Blanchard tally from breakouts below.
–68 “ By July 3. Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “600 Dead…Six Days.” 7-5-1901, 1.
— 1 “ June 30. New York Times. “99 at Baltimore,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col. 2.
–14 “ July 1. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Fourteen Deaths in Baltimore,” 7-2-1901, 1
–11 “ July 2. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Dying by Hundreds in…Cities,” 7-3-1901, 1
–23 “ July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “Dropped Dead by Hundreds.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
–27 “ July 3. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Rain Conquers Heat…,” 4 July 1901, p. 1.
–38 “ By July 3, 8 am. Reno Gazette, NV. “Thousands Die from…Heat.” 7-3-1901, 1.
–13 “ July 5. Anaconda Standard, MT. “Intense Heat Continues.” 7-6-1901, p. 1.
–12 “ July 6. Boston Daily Globe. “Two Heat Heaths in Baltimore.” 7-8-1901, p.2.[26]
— 2 “ July 7. Boston Daily Globe. “Two Heat Heaths in Baltimore.” 7-8-1901, p. 2.
Massachusetts ( 195)
–195 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 239.
–156 Cities.
— 39 Rural.
— 89 State. Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 2 Andover, July 4. Charles Pease and Miss Mildred Davis, both at work.[27]
— 35 Boston. June 27-July 17. Blanchard tally based on date breakouts below.
—>3 June 27. Boston Daily Globe. “Killed by Heat.” 6-28-1901, p. 1.[28]
— 3 June 28. Boston Post. “Death in Hot Wave. Three Dead in Boston.” 6-29-1901, 1.[29]
— 4 June 29. Boston Daily Globe. “Temperatures in Boston…Six Days…” 7-3-1901, 1.
–Abel Hollingworth, 64. Lowell Sun, MA. “Report of Deaths.” 7-6-1901, p. 1.
— 5 June 30. Boston Daily Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.[30]
— 4 July 1. Boston Daily Globe. “Temperatures in Boston for Six Days…” 7-3-1901, 1.
–Lizzie Robinson, 40, heat prostration. Lowell Sun, MA. “Report of Deaths.” 7-6-1901, 1.
— 3 July 2. William H. Mosher, 55; Fannie Fitzgerald, 43;[31] Johann Leary, 64.[32]
— 3 July 3. Charles W. Turner, 61; Margaret Manning, 60; Jeremiah Curtin.[33]
–10 July 16. Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Heat Wave in New England.” 7-17-1901, 1.
— 1 Fall River, July 3. Charles H. Albert. Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims…” 7-4-1901, p. 1.
— 1 Gloucester, July 4. Prof. John Fiske, Cambridge, coming to Gloucester seeking heat relief.[34]
— 1 Haverhill, June 30. Daniel O’Leary. Boston Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.
— 1 “ July 3. Thomas Condon. Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims…” 7-4-1901, p. 1.
— 3 Holyoke, July 2. John E. Mackay, Dennis Murphy, and unknown male.[35]
— 1 “ July 3. William Woods. Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims…” 7-4-1901, p. 1.
–17 Lawrence. June 28-July 4. Boston Globe. “Lawrence…Serious…Hot Weather.” 7-7-1901, 2.
— 3 June 29. Cayuga Herald, IN. “Hot Wave Scorches.” 6-30-1901, p. 14.
— 1 June 30. William Hennessy, infant. Boston Daily Globe. 7-1-1901.[36]
— 1 June 30. L. A. Ritchie. Boston Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.
— 1 July 1-2. Fanny Bowles, 50. Boston Globe. “Deaths From Heat Today.” 7-2-1901, 1.
— 1 July 2. Mrs. Eliza McMahon. Boston Globe. “Death by Heat and Storm.” 7-2-1901, 1.
— 2 Lowell, June 28. Mann Hoyen, 50, heat prostration; Mildred D. Hobart, 3 mo. sunstroke.[37]
–15 “ June 29-July 2. Lowell Sun. “Call Out Firemen to Wet…Tenements…,” 7-2-1901[38]
“–1 June 29. Sunstroke; Abel Hollingworth, 64. Lowell Sun. “Report of Deaths.” 7-8-1901, 5.
“–2 July 1. Lowell Sun (MA). “Call Out Firemen to Wet…Tenements…,” 7-2-1901.
–Lizzie Robinson, 40; heat prostration. Lowell Sun. “Report of Deaths.” 7-8-1901, 5.
“–3 July 2. Concord Enterprise, MA. “Heat Wave Continues…New England.” 7-3-1901.
–William McGuane. Boston Daily Globe. “Death by Heat and Storm.” 7-2-1901, 1.
–Thomas P. O’Connor, 28. Boston Globe. “Deaths From Heat Today.” 7-2-1901, 1.
–John Sullivan. Boston Daily Globe. “Death by Heat and Storm.” 7-2-1901, 1.
— 3 “ July 3. Mrs. Joanna Leary; Mrs. Mary Murphy, 65; Joseph J. Judkins.[39]
— 1 Malden, June 30. Boston Daily Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.
— 4 Springfield, June 29-July 5. Boston Daily Globe. “Victim of Heat.” 7-6-1901, p. 3.
–2 July 2. Miss Elizabeth McNamara; and Frederick S. Jervis.[40]
–1 July 4. Patrick Griffin; heart failure induced by heat (medical examiner autopsy).[41]
— 1 Waltham, July 2. William Conneary, 22, farmhand.[42]
— 1 Worcester, July 2. Mrs. Addie R. Russell. Boston Globe. “Death by Heat and Storm.” 7-2-1901, 1.
Michigan (53)
–53 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 239.
— 5 Detroit July 1-4. Decatur Herald, IL. “Deaths and Prostrations,” 7-4-1901, p.1, c.1.[43]
— 4 “ July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “Dropped Dead by Hundreds.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
— 1 Grand Rapids, July 28. Mrs. Antonia Van Oosten.[44]
— 1 St. Joseph July 21. Mrs. C. M. Cornwell. “Heart failure hastened by heat prostration.”[45]
Minnesota ( 1)
— 1 Sioux Falls, July 15. Child sent to sleep in sun on day when temp. reached 100 and died.[46]
Missouri (240)
–240 State Blanchard tally of locality and date breakouts below.
— 2 Albany July 5. Man kills two. “Temporary insanity, induced by the heat…caused…”[47]
— 1 Bolivar June 29. Farmer, “committed suicide…while insane from the excessive heat.”[48]
— 18 Kansas City. July 2-23. Blanchard tally from date breakouts below.
“ –1 July 2. Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “Thousands Die From the Heat.” 7-2-1901, 1.
“ –1 July 4. Anaconda Standard, MT. “Intense Heat Continues.” 7-6-1901, p. 1.
“ –9 July 21. Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “The Heat Kills.” 7-22-1901, 1.[49]
“ –5 July 22. Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “The Heat Kills.” 7-22-1901, p. 1.
“ –2 July 23. Manitowoc Daily Herald, WI. “Hot Blast in…Southwest.” 7-23-1901, 2.[50]
— 4 St. Joseph. June 24-July 4. Blanchard tally from date breakouts below.
“ –1 June 24. W.B. Bradford, on train near St. Joseph, after complaining of heat.[51]
“ –1 July 1. Ex-policeman T. J. Dowdon.[52]
“ –1 July 3. Hawarden Independent, IA. “Terrible Heat Kills Scores…” 7-4-1901, p. 3.
“ –1 July 4. Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “600 Dead in Six Days.” 7-5-1901, p. 1.
–215 St. Louis, by July 27. Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Rain in Missouri.” 7-27-1901, 2.[53]
–77 St. Louis, June 23-July 24. Blanchard tally from date breakouts below.
— 1 June 23. The Press, Summer, IL. “Hottest Day of the Year.” 6-27-1901, p. 2.
–34 July 1-4. Decatur Herald, IL. “Deaths and Prostrations.” 7-4-1901, p.1.[54]
–8 July 1. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Hundreds Die…Killed By Heat,” 7-2-1901.
–4 July 2. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Dying by Hundreds in…Cities,” 7-3-1901.
–6 July 2. Fort Madison Weekly Democrat, IA. “Hot Days Continue.” 7-3-1901, 7.
–1 July 3. Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “Thousands Die from…Heat.” 7-3-1901, 1.
— 1 July 11. Columbus Daily Herald, IN. “Genuine Sirocco.” 7-12-1901, p. 1.
— 1 July 16. Prof. Bernhard J. Neumann.[55]
–40 July 23-24. Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Many Die at St. Louis.” 7-24-1901, p. 1.[56]
Nebraska (13)
–13 State. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 1 Beatrice. June 29. Frank Richtor, “overcome by heat while working in the harvest field.”[57]
— 1 Friend. July 1. Sunstroke; George Bender, working in a wheat field.[58]
— 1 Omaha. June 25. “…South Omaha…Ulrich Andreeg…44…a butcher, died from heat.”[59]
— 9 “ July 21-22. Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Wave Moderates.” 7-23-1901, 1.[60]
— 1 West Point, June 30. Andrew D. Murphy, “overcome by heat” walking home from church.[61]
New Hampshire ( 21)
–21 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 239.
–10 Cities.
–11 Rural.
–17 State. Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 1 Concord, June 30. Boston Daily Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.
— 6 Dover. By July 6. Boston Sunday Globe. “Dover. Successful Efforts…” 7-7-1901, p. 2.[62]
–1 June 30. Mrs. Janet Hanna. Boston Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.
–1 30th. George E. Brophy, infant. Boston Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, 1.
–1 July 2. Boston Daily Globe. “Temperatures in Boston for Six Days…” 7-3-1901, p.1.
–1 “ July 3. Mrs. Mary McLin. Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims…” 7-4-1901, p. 1.
–10 Manchester. Blanchard tally of breakouts below.
— 3 June 29. Cayuga Herald, IN. “Hot Wave Scorches.” 6-30-1901, p. 14.
— 1 June 30. Miss Mary Clark. Boston Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, 1.
— 1 June 30. John King. Boston Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.
— 1 June 30. William Moran. Boston Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p1.
— 1 June 30. Miss Annie Spooner. Boston Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, 1.
— 1 July 2. Michael Bird. Boston Globe. “Temperatures in Boston…” 7-3-1901, 1.
— 2 July 3. Alonzo Whiting and Patrick Garvin, 59.[63]
New Jersey (467)
–467 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 239.
–364 Cities. –103 Rural.
–282 State Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
–100 State July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “Dropped Dead by Hundreds.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.[64]
— 1 Chesterfield July 2. Joseph Taylor, farm hand.[65]
— 6 Elizabeth July 2. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Dying by Hundreds in…Cities,” 7-3-1901.
— 6 “ July 3. New York Times. “New Jersey Deaths Again Reach 100.” 7-4-1901.
— 1 Hackensack, July 2. New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey.” 7-3-1901.
— 1 Hoboken June 30. NYT. “Suicide Caused by the Heat,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col. 2.
— 8 “ July 2. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Dying by Hundreds…Cities,” 7-3-1901.[66]
— 19 “ area July 3. New York Times. “New Jersey Deaths Again Reach 100.” 7-4-1901.
— 1 Jersey City June 30 NYT. “Jersey City’s First Fatal Case,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col. 2.
— 6 “ July 2. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Dying by Hundreds in…Cities,” 7-3-1901.
— 21 “ July 3. New York Times. “New Jersey Deaths Again Reach 100.” 7-4-1901.
— 3 New Brunswick, July 2. New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey.” 7-3-1901.
— 4 “ July 3. NY Times. “New Jersey Deaths Again Reach 100.” 7-4-1901.
— 1 Newark June 30. NYT. “Crazed by Heat He Hanged Himself,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, c. 2.
— 31 “ July 2. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Dying by Hundreds…Cities,” 7-3-1901.
— 52 “ July 3. New York Times. “New Jersey Deaths Again Reach 100.” 7-4-1901.
— 4 “ July 4. New York Times. “Four Deaths from Heat in Newark.” 7-5-1901.[67]
— 51 “ July 5. Dakota Huronite, SD. “Death List is Large…Heat…” 7-11-1901, p. 7.
— 2 Orange July 2. New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey.” 7-3-1901.
— 5 “ July 3. Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims its Victims.” 7-4-1901, 1.[68]
— 1 Passaic July 2. New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey.” 7-3-1901.
— 1 Patterson July 1. Jacob S. Rogers, 69, his apartment at the Union League Club.[69]
— 11 “ July 3. New York Times. “New Jersey Deaths Again Reach 100.” 7-4-1901.
— 1 Plainfield July 2. New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey.” 7-3-1901.
— 2 Rahway July 2. New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey.” 7-3-1901.
— 1 South Amboy, July 1. Boston Sunday Globe. “St. Albans.” 7-7-1901, p. 2.
— 8 Trenton June 30-July 3. Trenton Times, NJ. “Humidity’s Awful Work.” 7-3-1901, p1.
“ Mrs. Mary McFadden; “driven mad by the heat” and committed suicide.
“ Thomas Clark; heat prostration outdoors.
“ July 2. Joseph M. Deegan, while at work indoors.
“ July 2. Mrs. Thomas Madden; heat prostration.
“ July 2. William Morgan, 62; “overcome while at work…”
“ July 2. Joseph Neweth, heat prostration at home after leaving work early.
“ July 2. John Robbins of Windsor, found in a grove near his home.
“ July 3. Jacob Tams, farm hand at Exton’s farm, after July 2 prostration.
— 41 Not noted. July 2. New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey.” 7-3-1901.[70]
New York (1,565)
–1,565 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 239.
–1,363 Cities.
— 202 Rural.
–1,040 State. Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
Breakout by Locality
— 2 Albany July 1. New York Times. “Blistering Weather Up State.” 7-2-1901.
— 3 Brooklyn June 28. NY Times. “Heat Brings Death and Much Suffering.” 6-29-1901.
— 1 “ June 29. NYT. “Heat’s Ravages in Sugar Refineries.” 6-30-1901.[71]
— 3 “ June 30. NYT. “Deaths in Brooklyn,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col. 1.
— 4 “ June 29. New York Times. “New York Wilts in Protracted Heat.” 6-30-1901.[72]
— 56 “ July 2. Count of names listed in NYT for Brooklyn, in July 3 paper.[73]
–203 “ July 4. NYT. “Cool Breeze Tempers the Heat in the City,” July 5, 1901, 1.
— 4 “ July 5. New York Times. “Deaths in Brooklyn,” July 6, 1901, p. 2.[74]
— 2 “ July 30. New York Times. “Heat Kills Two in Brooklyn.” 7-31-1901.[75]
— 2 Chester July 3. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Deaths in New York Cities,” 7-4-1901, 1.
— 1 Huntington, L.I., July 1. Henry Schweier, 71, “driven insane by the heat, committed suicide.”[76]
— 1 Jamestown July 1. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Hundreds Die…Killed By Heat,” 7-2-1901
— 1 Kingston July 3. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Deaths in New York Cities,” 7-4-1901, 1.[77]
–724 Manhattan June 26-July 5. Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Heat Waves.” 7-29-1931, p12.[78]
— 12 “ June 29. New York Times. “New York Wilts in Protracted Heat.” 6-30-1901.[79]
— 15 “ June 30. New York Times. “Deaths in Manhattan,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col. 1.
–533 “ July 2. Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Heat Waves.” 7-29-1931, p. 12.[80]
–165 “ July 2. Count of names listed in NYT for Manhattan, in July 3 paper.[81]
— 7 “ July 5. New York Times. “Deaths in Manhattan,” July 6, 1901, p. 2.[82]
–898 New York City. Annual Rpt. of Dept. of Health of the City of [NY]…1911-1912., p. 240.
–1 May –47 June –826 July –24 August –0 September
— 3 New York June 27. Female, 33, at home; male, 68, at work; male, 50, at home.[83]
— 8 “ June 28. Sault News-Record (MI). “Eight Deaths in Gotham…,” 6-29-1901.
–>1,000 “ Week ending July 6. Galveston Daily News. “Heat in New York.” 7-7-1901, 1.[84]
— 989 “ 5 boroughs, June 29 (noon)-July 6 (noon). NYT. “Heat’s Great Ravages.” 7-9-1901.[85]
–700 Greater NYC one week. Oakland Tribune, CA. “Heat Wave Studied.” 7-24-1936.
— 19 June 29. Marshall Daily News (MI). “Many Die From Heat,” 7-1-1901, 1.
–600 June 29-July 3. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Rain Conquers Heat…,” 7-4-1901.
— 19 June 30. Cayuga Herald, IN. “Hot Wave Scorches.” 6-30-1901, p. 14.
— 2 June 30. New York Times. “Died in a Vacant Lot,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col. 2.
— 87 July 1. NYT. “Heat’s Holocaust In The Five Boroughs,” July 2, 1901, p. 1.
–229-245 July 2. NYT. “Heat Brings Death to over 200 Persons,” 7-3-1901, p. 1.[86]
–200 July 3. NYT. “200 More Dead Before Rain Falls,” July 4, 1901, p. 1, col. 7.
–406 July 4. NYT. “Cool Breeze Tempers the Heat in the City,” 7-5-1901, 1.[87]
— 8 July 6. Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “Eight Die in New York City.” 7-6-1901, 1.
— 1 New York July 7. James W. Smith. NYT. “A Pleasant Sunday.” 7-8-1901, p. 10.[88]
— 4 “ July 22. Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “The Heat Kills.” 7-22-1901, p.1.
— 2 “ July 23. Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Many Die At St. Louis.” 7-24-1901, p.1.
— 1 Patchogue L.I. July 3. S.A. Vilson. NYT. “Retired Merchant a Heat Victim.” 7-4-1901.
— 5 Queens July 2. Count of names listed in NYT for Queens, in July 3 paper.[89]
— 3 Richmond Borough, July 2. Count of names listed in NYT for Richmond, July 3 paper.[90]
— 1 Saratoga June 30. NYT. “Heat Kills Mr. Trask’s Coachman,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col. 2.
— 1 Schenectady June 29. New York Times. “Two Prostrations in Schenectady.” 6-30-1901.
— 1 “ June 30. New York Times. “Old Engineer Succumbs,” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 2.
— 2 “ July 1. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Hundreds Die…Killed by Heat,” 7-2-1901
— 1 Syracuse June 29. Syracuse Evening Herald. “Is This Warm Enough?” 7-1-1901, 7.
— 2 “ June 30. New York Times. “Three Deaths in Syracuse.” 6-30-1901.
— 1 Weehawken. July 5, W.H. Simmons. NYT. “Died from Heat in Weehawken,” 7-6-1901, p2.
Ohio (48)
–48 State June 23-July 3 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–27 Cincinnati June 23-July 3. Blanchard tally from date breakouts below.
“ — 8 June 23-29. Atlanta Constitution, “Three Victims at Cincinnati.” 6-30-1901, 7.
“ — 3 June 29 (An additional eight non-fatal heat prostrations on 97° day.[91]
“ –19 June 30-July 4. Decatur Herald, IL. “Deaths and Prostrations,” 7-4-1901, 1.[92]
–5 July 1. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Hundreds Die…Killed by Heat,” 7-2-1901.
–2 July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “Dropped Dead by Hundreds.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
–4 July 3. Decatur Herald (IL). “Deaths and Prostrations,” 7-4-1901, p. 1.
–17 Cleveland June 29-July 3. Blanchard tally from date breakout below.
–4 “ June 29. Plus 4 non-fatal heat prostrations, 100° registered on the street.[93]
–1 “ June 30. Cayuga Herald, IN. “Hot Wave Scorches.” 6-30-1901, p. 14.
–3 “ July 1. Colorado Springs Gazette. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.
–5 “ July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “Dropped Dead by Hundreds.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
–4 “ July 3. Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “600 Dead in Six Days.” 7-5-1901, 1.
— 3 Toledo July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “Dropped Dead by Hundreds.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
— 1 Zanesville July 2. Hawarden Independent, IA. “Terrible Heat Kills Scores…” 7-4-1901, 3.
Oklahoma Territory ( 3)
— 3 Lawton. 14 women in land office line prostrated on day temperature reached 115 at 3 pm.[94]
Pennsylvania (307)
–312 State Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 1 Allegheny June 30. Greenville Evening Record (PA). “Deaths from Heat,” July 1, 1901.
— 5 Altoona July 2. Altoona Mirror, PA. “No Relief From the Heat,” July 3, 1901, p. 1.
— 1 Engleside July 1. Williamsport Daily Gazette and Bulletin (PA). July 2, 1901, p. 1.
— 1 Greensburg June 29. Greenville Evening Record (PA). “Deaths from Heat,” 7-1-1901, 1.
— 1 “ June 30. Greenville Evening Record (PA). “Deaths from Heat,” 7-1-1901, 1.
— 1 Greenville. June 30. Greenville Evening Record (PA). “Deaths from Heat,” 7-1-1901, 1.
–176 Philadelphia. June 29-July 6. Blanchard tally from date breakouts below.
“ — 3 June 29. New York Times. “Three Deaths in Philadelphia.” 6-30-1901.
“ — 1 June 30. NYT. “Great Heat at Philadelphia,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col. 2.[95]
“ –14 July 1. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Fourteen in Philadelphia,” 7-2-1901, p. 1.
“ –52 July 2. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Dying by Hundreds…Cities,” 7-3-1901.[96]
“ –47 July 3. NYT. “More Deaths in Philadelphia. Forty-seven Fatal…” 7-4-1901.
“ –47 July 5. Dakota Huronite, SD. “Nearly Fifty Deaths.” 7-11-1901, p. 7.[97]
“ –12 July 6. Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “Philadelphia Has Twelve Deaths.” 7-6-1901, 1.
–125 Pittsburgh Blanchard tally based on fatalities-by-date noted above.[98]
“ — 1 June 25. Edward Calloway, 20, “died from the extreme heat.”[99]
“ — 3 June 28. Nebraska State Journal. “Hot Weather in New York.” 6-29-1901, 1.
“ — 2 June 29. Francis Mills and Mary Geermo.[100]
“ –15 June 30. New York Times. “Heat Fatal in Pittsburg,” July 1, 1901, p. 2, col.2.
“ –18 July 1. Colorado Springs Gazette. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.[101]
“ –40 July 1 (11:00 am)-July 2 (11:00 am).[102]
“ –12 July 2 (midnight to 11 am).[103]
“ –50 July 2. Syracuse Post-Standard. “Dying by Hundreds in…Cities,” 7-3-1901.
“ –20 July 3. Decatur Herald (IL). “Deaths and Prostrations,” July 4, 1901, 1.[104]
“ –11 July 6-7. Wyoming Post-Herald. “Hot Wave Scorches.” 7-10-1901, p. 4.[105]
“ — 5 July 21-22. Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Wave Moderates.” 7-23-1901, 1.
— 1 Scranton July 2. Greenville Evening Record. “Number of Deaths Occurred,” 7-3-1901.
Rhode Island (34)
–34 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 239.
–28 Cities.
— 6 Rural.
— 7 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 1 Central Falls, July 3. Mrs. Ann Barry.[106]
— 2 Pawtucket, July 3. William Henkamp and an unidentified child.[107]
— 4 Providence, July 2. George Whiteaway, Peter Norcross, George Waldron, Joseph Dolan.[108]
Vermont ( 8)
— 8 State (cities 3, rural 5). Bureau of Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 239.
Virginia ( 5)
— 1 Norfolk July 2. Atlanta Constitution. “One Death in Norfolk, VA.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.[109]
— 2 Richmond July 1. Atlanta Constitution. “Suffering in Richmond.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
— 2 “ July 5. Atlanta Constitution. “Two People Die at Richmond.” 7-6-1901, p. 1.
Wisconsin (14)
–14 State Blanchard tally from breakouts below.
— 1 Berlin June 26. Sunstroke; J. Bernhart.[110]
— 1 Caledonia June 26. Carrie Drown, 22.[111]
— 1 Durand vic. June 27. Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Kills Man Aged 94” 6-29-1901, 1.[112]
— 2 Eau Claire July 21. Twins, a boy and a girl, 6 months old; deaths due to “extreme heat.”[113]
— 1 Hansen July 21. Mrs. Johanna F. Brockman; prostration by the heat.[114]
— 1 Janesville June 14. Charles Eber.[115]
— 1 La Crosse July 3. Decatur Herald (IL). “Deaths and Prostrations,” July 4, 1901, 1.
— 1 La Crosse July 11. Marshfield Times, WI. “South…Suffers…Great Heat.” 7-19-1901, p5.
— 1 Madison July 22. Ed Toepelmann, 71, at his home in University Heights.[116]
— 1 Marinette June 28. Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Kills Man Aged 94” 6-29-1901, 1.[117]
— 1 Oshkosh June 24. Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Overcome by Heat,” 6-24-1901.
— 1 Prairie du Chien, July 21. Rev. Hogenforst.[118]
— 1 Viroqua June 28. Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Kills Man Aged 94” 6-29-1901, 1.[119]
General Narrative Information
AP, 1980: “In this century only three other heat waves have taken a higher toll of lives [than in 1980]. The highest reported heat death toll in this country was 9,508 in 1901. There were 4,678 heat deaths in 1936 and 1,401 in 1952.” (Associated Press, Washington. “Heat Wave Worst of the Century.” Ottawa Herald, KS. 10-16-1980, p. 10.)
AP, 1986: “One of the worst years for heat deaths in this century was 1901, when the hot weather claimed 9,508 lives…” (AP. “Heat Can Be Uncomfortable, Costly, Perhaps Deadly.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA. 7-9-1986.
AP/Schmid, 2016: “Washington — Heat waves don’t have the catchy names of hurricanes or the dramatic television footage of tornadoes or earthquakes. But they are the deadliest form of weather. A hurricane that killed 6,000 people in Galveston, Texas, in 1900 is often ranked the nation’s worst natural disaster. But more than 9,500 people died a year later when a heat wave settled in the Midwest….” (Associated Press (Randolph E. Schmid). “Heat’s heavy toll counted in lives. ‘Deadliest weather’.” Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA, 7-24-1998, p. B3.)
Cumberland News, 1987: “Past hot spells have taken their toll. Of the epic heat wave of 1901, which took more than 9,500 lives, the New York Times reported, ‘The suffering, especially in the poorer sections, was intense,’ In those days, radiators didn’t overheat in traffic, instead, horses simply fell down and died.” (Cumberland News, MD. “Heat Waves are Dangerous.” 8-21-1987, p. 8.)
Frederick Post/Lesher, 1988: “….Extraordinarily hot summers have produced death tolls such as 1,401 in 1952, 4,678 in 1954 and more than 10,000 in 1901.” (Frederick Post (David Lesher), MD. “Six-month total precipitation reported near normal in county.” 7-25-1988, p. B6.)
Newspapers at the Time
July 2: “….Phoenix, Ariz., had the hottest temperature today, the thermometer registering 106, while at Philadelphia it was again 102, at Atlantic City, 86; Boston, 94…Cincinnati, 92; Davenport, Iowa, 92; Des Moines, Iowa, 94; Indianapolis, 94; Kansas City, 100; Little Rock, Ark., 96; Memphis, Tenn., 94; New Orleans, 92; New York, 98; North Platte, Neb., 92; Pittsburg, 94; Salt Lake, 92, St. Louis, 96; Springfield, Ill., 96; Vicksburg, Miss., 94….”
“As yet this warm wave has not equaled in duration those of 1881 and 1900 except in New York city, where during the present hot wave the maximum temperatures have ranged from 90 to 98 during the past seven days, exceeding the greatest previous record by two days.” (Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Some Relief is Expected.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.)
July 3: “Washington, July 3. — The weather bureau last night issued the following: The hot wave which has prevailed over New England, the middle Atlantic states, the lake region, the Ohio Valley and the Central west and northwest, continued Tuesday, although temporary relief was afforded during the afternoon by numerous thunderstorms in New England and the middle Atlantic states and at Chicago and St. Louis. At Philadelphia a maximum temperature of 103 degrees was again reached; at Washington it was 100; at New York city, 98; at Boston, 94; at Albany, 98…at St. Louis, 96, at Louisville, 96, and at Alpena, Mich., 92. Maximum temperatures above 90 also occurred in the extreme western states.” (Concord Enterprise, MA. “Heat Wave Continues Throughout New England.” 7-3-1901, p. 8.)
July 14: “Washington, July 14.– Reports to the weather bureau show that the hot weather continued today in nineteen states and territories of the great corn belt, the Ohio valley and various portions of the south. There seems to be no immediate evidence of abatement except in the south and southwest, where local thunderstorms may cause some moderation. The states affected include Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado and Michigan. It has become considerably warmer also in the upper lake region and in New England. Marquette, Michigan, reporting today a record-breaking temperature of 102 degrees….In Des Moines, Ia., today the temperature was 100, in Kansas City, 102, and in Omaha, Neb., 102, while at Davenport, Ia. Denver, Col., Little Rock, Ark., New Orleans, St. Paul and Vicksburg, Miss., it was 96 or higher.” (Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Another Day of Hot Wave.” 7-15-1901, p. 3.)
July 23: “Washington, D.C., July 23. — One hundred degrees temperatures were common throughout the great corn belt yesterday, according to the reports to the weather bureau here. There appears to be no prospect of decided relief from these exhausting conditions for the next two days at least, except such as may come from the always present possibility of scattered thunder-storms, which are predicted for some portions of the super-heated area….The warm weather again was general throughout the entire country, except on the Pacific coast. In the East, the temperature, while high, did not approach anywhere the extremes prevailing in the West, and a recurrence of the hot wave of two weeks ago is believed to be unlikely in the Atlantic coast region….” (Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Records Smashed.” 7-23-1901, 1.)
Alabama
July 12, Selma: “Selma, Ala., July 13. — The thermometer (unofficial) registered 112 degrees at 1 p.m. yesterday.” (Daily Times, Columbus, IN. “Heat Intense in Nebraska.” 7-14-1901, p. 1.)
July 14, Montgomery: “The official weather record here today was 100 degrees, two degrees higher than the official record yesterday…” (Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Another Day of Hot Wave.” 7-15-1901, p. 3.)
Arkansas
July 12, Little Rock and Pine Bluff: “At Little Rock, the highest temperature ever recorded was officially reported at 4 o’clock, when the mercury reached 106 degrees. Notwithstanding the oppressive heat no prostrations occurred there. Pine Bluff reports the warmest day on record with one fatality.” (Columbus Daily Herald, IN. “Heat Record Broken.” 7-13-1901, p. 1.)
July 13, Texarkana: “Today was without doubt the hottest day Texarkana has experienced since the hot spell of 1878. The thermometer at 1 o’clock this afternoon registered 107, and stayed there for two hours. This was against 106 yesterday and 103 Thursday. Work on new buildings, public works, etc., has been greatly crippled, the men being unable to stand the heat. Crops are gone beyond recovery, excepting cotton, which is greatly damaged….” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “Hot Weather Record.” 7-14-1901, p. 2.)
Colorado
June 29: “Denver, Jun 29 — Today was the hottest in…[unclear] in the eastern part of Colorado. At Buena Vista the thermometer registered 100 in the shade. Crops in that section reported seriously affected. At Idaho Springs it was 98 in the shade, something unheard of before in that section. At Fort Morgan it was 98…Pueblo 103. At Denver the government thermometer in the tower recorded 98 degrees. On the streets downtown the thermometers varied from 100 to 104.” (Colorado Springs Gazette. “Extreme Heat.” 6-30-1901, p. 11.)
District of Columbia
July 1: “Washington, July 1. — The hot weather continued unabated here to-day, the climax coming in the afternoon, when the local record for this time of the year was broken, the Weather Bureau thermometer recording a temperature of 102 degrees. Fortunately there was no much humidity. There were fifty cases of heat prostration reported, and two resulted fatally. At 8 o’clock tonight the thermometer had fallen to 90 degrees, with every probability that tomorrow would be another intolerable day.
“The present hot wave started in the West June 20, and today the Weather Bureau officials report that high temperatures are recorded in most regions east of the Rocky Mountains and many places west of them….” (New York Times. “Whole Country Swelters.” 7-2-1901.)
July 30: “Washington, July 30. — There were five prostrations from heat today. Temperature at 2 p.m. was 99.” (Racine Daily Journal. “Hot at Washington.” 7-30-1901, p. 1.)
Georgia
July 2, Rome: “Rome, Ga., July 2…The mercury touched 95 today. While the suffering was great here it was not so great as last week when Rome had the record of the highest temperature in the state. It registered 99 one day and 98 on other days. The heat today was tempered by cooling breezes, which served to alleviate suffering. No prostrations or deaths reported.” (Atlanta Constitution. “Ninety-Five Shown at Rome.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.)
Illinois
June 11, Chicago: “The city today experienced the highest temperature of the year, 89, and at the same time humidity was extremely high, reaching 92. There were six prostrations, two of which are in a precarious condition.” (Jacksonville Daily Journal, IL. “Weather Conditions.” 6-12-1901, p. 1.)
June 12, Chicago: “Heat prostrated many people and the mercury soared to 89 degrees, making Tuesday [June 11] the hottest day of the year in Chicago.” (Daily News, Marshall, MI. “The News.” 6-12-1901, p. 1.)
June 13, Chicago: “The heat and humidity caused seven deaths today, as follows: Patrick Buckley, John Carlson, Thomas Curia, Otto Hecker, Fritz Sagler, W. White and Mrs. Josephine Wolocosky.” (Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “Fatalities of a Day.” 6-14-1901, p. 1.)
June 14, Chicago: “Although the temperature was milder today there were three deaths attributed to the heat of the last three days.” (Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “Deaths Due to Heat.” 6-21-1901, p. 6.)
June 22, Chicago: “One dead, one person fatally hurt, and five prostrations, is the record of a sweltering day in Chicago. The mercury touched 90, but the humidity was so great the record of the thermometer is only a small record of the discomfort caused. John Hall fell from a third story window while trying to get fresh air, and sustained fatal injuries. Charles Jenkins, aged 76, died from the heat.” (Sunday Review, Decatur, IL. “Death from Heat.” 6-23-1901, p. 1.)
June 25, Chicago: “Chicago, June 25. The present warm wave lies like a hot blanket on all the central western country and according to the weather forecasters, it is here to stay for several days. In this city there has been great suffering during the past 36 hours. Three people were overcome and died yesterday and a large number suffered in a lesser degree. The humidity is so great that it makes the heat almost unbearable. The suffering in the tenement districts is fearful. The humane society wagons are busy carting away horses which fall in the streets. Out at the stock yards the animals are stifled in the crowded pens. Over 300 died from exhaustion yesterday.” (Trenton Times, NJ. “Men and Cattle Die of Heat.” 6-25-1901, p. 1.)
June 26, Chicago: “There were four fatalities and a score of prostrations today as a result of the torrid weather. ” (Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “Prostrations By Score.” 6-28-1901, 2.)
June 28, Chicago: “This was the eighth day of the hot wave. The temperature reached 93 degrees and there were two deaths.” (Colorado Springs Gazette. “In Chicago.” 6-29-1901, p. 1.)
June 30, Chicago: “The heat in Chicago today broke all records for June since 1872. For three hours this afternoon the government thermometer in the weather bureau at the top of the Auditorium tower registered 97. In many places in the street it was 104 and 106. A northwest breeze brought some relief after nightfall, but at 11 o’clock the mercury was again soaring around 90. There was intense suffering throughout the city, especially in the poorer districts, the police ambulances were kept busy picking up victims who had succumbed to th heat. No fatalities were reported, but several of those who were prostrated are in a serious condition.” (Centralia Daily Sentinel, IL. “Worse Than A Battle. Ambulance Corps Busy All Day Picking Up Victims of Heat Prostration.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.)
July 1, Chicago: “Five persons dropped dead on the streets in Chicago today from the excessive heat and 15 others were so badly overcome that they had to be removed to hospitals. A number of the prostrated are in a serious condition and may die. At noon the temperature in the weather bureau in the Auditorium tower was 93 and on the streets over 100. A severe thunder storm at 1 o’clock brought relief and the mercury dropped 20 degrees. The dead are:
Peter Bajdik.
Bessie Poole.
John Smith.
Joseph Sobezak.
Thomas Walsh.
(Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.)
July 2, Chicago: “Chicago, July 2 — Three deaths and numerous prostrations were reported in Chicago today….One woman, who suffered from the heat, attempted suicide. Heat prostrations in Chicago today were due rather to the great humidity than to excessive temperature. In point of heat 85 degrees was the highest recorded…” (Atlanta Constitution. “Three Deaths at Chicago, 7-3-1901, p. 2.)
July 10, Chicago: “Chicago, July 10. — Today was the hottest day ever recorded in Chicago, the mercury in the weather tower showing 100 degrees, while thermometers on the street were from two to four degrees hotter. A dry southwest wind kept the humidity at a low point. It was hot all over the State today. Crops are suffering from lack of rain.” (New York Times. “Chicago Heat Record Broken.” 7-11-1901.)
July 11, Decatur: “The government thermometer reached 102 yesterday [11th]. Many horses have died.” (Marshfield Times, WI. “South Now Suffers From Great Heat.” 7-19-1901, p. 5.)
July 13, Chicago: “Chicago, July 13. — The long-continued dry, hot weather is rapidly making a prospective famine in farm produce. Potatoes are 150 per cent higher than a year ago. Green corn is 100 per cent higher. Other vegetables are similarly advanced.” (Daily Times, Columbus, IN. “Heat Intense in Nebraska.” 7-14-1901, p. 1.)
July 22, Chicago: “By Associated Press. Chicago, Ill., July 22 — The terrible heat, which reached its record breaking climax of 103 degrees yesterday, was broken at dawn today by a fresh lake breeze. The night was very close, there being scarcely a breath of air and hundreds of people in the crowded districts slept out of doors or sat up until the wind made sleep possible. The forecast today promised no relief. At 6 a.m. today the temperature in Chicago was 72, and at 9:30 it was 75. Eight deaths from heat have been reported up to 2 p.m.” (Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “The Heat Kills.” 7-22-1901, p. 1.)
Iowa
June 26, Dubuque: “Dubuque, Ia., June 26. — The temperature was 98 here today. There were several prostrations among the 6,000 excursionists from Aurora.” (Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “More Victims of the Heat. Prostrations at Dubuque.” 6-27-1901, p. 2.)
July 11, Des Moines: “For the third day in succession the maximum yesterday [11th] was 101, breaking the record for continued extreme heat since the establishment of the weather office.” (Marshfield Times, WI. “South Now Suffers From Great Heat.” 7-19-1901, p. 5.)
July 12, Des Moines: “Des Moines, Ia., July 13. — The government thermometer registered a temperature of 102 at 3:30 yesterday afternoon, the highest of the year.” (Daily Times, Columbus, IN. “Heat Intense in Nebraska.” 7-14-1901, p. 1.)
July 14, Burlington: “Today was the sixth day in succession that the mercury went to 100 and over. The humidity in the atmosphere makes it very oppressive. There are no indications of rain.” (Atlanta Constitution. “Another Day of Hot Wave.” 7-15-1901, p. 3.)
July 16, Waterloo: “The heat record of Waterloo was broken today, the bulb standing at 103, thought to be the highest point ever attained by the government thermometer here. Cheap thermometers register higher, but the government uses the only reliable weather gauge. The register of today is one degree hotter than the first two days of last week and three degrees above the record of yesterday. At noon today the thermometer stood 102. The 103 mark was attained at 3 o’clock. The excessive hot weather and drouth has made itself more evident at the city pump house than any place in the city. For the last week, they have been pumping over 2,000,000 gallons per day….A horse belonging to Charles Heller on West Fifth street fell dead last evening as he was unhitching him from a drive in the country….” (Waterloo Daily Reporter, IA. “Heat Record Is Broken.” 7-16-1901, p. 1.)
Kansas and Missouri
July 3, Kansas City: “Kansas City, July 3. — Kansas City today was the centre of the hottest area in the country. Within a radius of 200 miles of this city the temperature ranged from 96 to 108 degrees. In Central Kansas hot winds are reported as literally burning up all vegetation. At Leavenworth, Kan., the highest temperature recorded in this part of the country for years was reached, the Government thermometer in that city reaching 108 at 3 o’clock. Other records in Kansas are: Hutchinson, 105; Fort Scott, 104; Lawrence, 102; Atchison, 100; Arkansas City, 98.
“In Missouri the temperature at Sedalia reached 104; at Kansas City, 101; at Joplin, 100, and at Springfield, 96.
“In Kansas City the record of yesterday was exceeded by one degree, and five prostrations, none of which it is believed will prove fatal, were reported.
“In Joplin the drought of the past ten days ahs so reduced the water supply as to threaten a shutting down of many mining plants unless rain soon comes.” (New York Times. “Intense Heat in Kansas.” 7-4-1901.)
July 12: “Topeka, Kan., July 12. — Government stations in Kansas report the following regarding the maximum temperatures yesterday: Kansas City 103, Baker, Wichita, Concordia, Topeka, 102; Dresden, Hayes City, 106; Fort Scott 108; McPherson, 107; Manhattan, Osage City, 106….Reports received here last night indicate that in no county in the state are crops damaged less than fifty per cent. Bourbon, Allen, Franklin and Miami counties report almost total loss of the corn crop. It is generally conceded that this is the worst drought since 1860 in Kansas.” (Marshfield Times, WI. “South Now Suffers From Great Heat.” 7-19-1901, p. 5.)
July 12: “Not since the present hot spell began have Kansas City people suffered so severely as they did Friday night [July 12]. The average temperature from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. was 91 degrees. The atmosphere was almost stifling and thousands of people slept on lawns or porches, or remained up the entire night riding or walking about town.” (Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Hot Waves Travel.” 7-14-1901, p. 1.)
July 13: “Topeka, Kan., July 13. — The weather in Kansas continues very hot, the highest temperature reported being 110 at Fort Scott. The heat was accompanied by a very light breeze from the south, which came as from a red-hot furnace, blasting and withering vegetation of all kinds….” (Columbus Daily Herald, IN. Hot Weather In Kansas.” 7-13-1901, p. 1.)
July 14: “Kansas City, Mo., July 14.– No relief came today to break the drought in the southwest. The day was a repetition of the past two weeks, with reports from many places in western Missouri, Kansas, Indian Territory and Oklahoma of temperatures over the 100 mark….In Kansas City today the government thermometer reached 102, and at Marysville, Kans., 104 was recorded against 100 yesterday. There were three prostrations at Marysville.” (Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Another Day of Hot Wave.” 7-15-1901, p. 3.)
July 21-22, Kansas City, KS and MO: “Kansas City, Mo., July 22 — Fourteen deaths from heat, with fully forty prostrations, were reported up to one o’clock in Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kan., the past thirty-six hours. Nine of these occurred yesterday and five since midnight last night. At one o’clock this afternoon the weather bureau thermometer registered 102. Not a drop of rain is reported from any point in the southwest today and there is no immediate promise of moisture.” (Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “The Heat Kills.” 7-22-1901, p. 1.)
Kentucky
July 1, Louisville: “With a maximum temperature of 97 there were two heat prostrations at Louisville today.” (Colorado Springs Gazette. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.)
July 11, Louisville: “A hot wave south yesterday [11th] and many cities are reporting the highest temperatures of the year and some since the weather bureau stations were established….The maximum at Louisville was 103….” (Marshfield Times, WI. “South Now Suffers From Great Heat.” 7-19-1901, p. 5.)
Louisiana
July 13: “New Orleans, La., July 13. — This was the hottest day ever known in New Orleans, the hottest since the Weather Bureau has been in existence. At headquarters the record stood at 102.1, which was two degrees higher than the day before. Friday’s record was 100-2 in the shade….There were 10 prostrations from the heat, and tonight the Charity Hospital is rapidly filling up with those who have been overcome by the heat. A horse fell on Esplanade Avenue from sheer heat, and all over the city suffering was reported among the beasts of burden. It has been a scorcher from sun up to sundown, and the coast trains this afternoon ran in sections carrying the heat stricken people over to the Gulf coast resorts for the Sabbath…” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “Hot Weather Record.” 7-14-1901, p. 2.)
“Shreveport, LA., July 13. — The thermometer went up to 106.6, and the suffering from the heat is intense. Two prostrations were reported. In one case, however, liquor was the main cause of death. No rain and no prospect of any. Today’s figures do not break the record. On July 21, 1895, the thermometer registered 107.” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “Hot Weather Record.” 7-14-1901, p. 2.)
Maine
July 16: “Maine…bore the brunt of the [New England] hot wave and every city and town heard from reports the mercury ranging above 100 degrees and in some places it was 120 degrees in the shade in the middle of the afternoon. In the mill towns the suffering was intense and operations were generally suspended.” (Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, IA. “Heat Wave in New England.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.)
July 16-17, Bath: “Bath, Me., July 16. The intense heat of yesterday, which caused cessation of work in several manufacturing plants here was surpassed Tuesday [16th] and in the afternoon nearly every factory and mill in the city was closed. In the shade thermometers registered more than 100 degrees above zero — 102 being registered at one point at 1:15 o’clock. Two prostrations were reported before 3 o’clock….Both will recover.” (Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “Maine Having Touch of Torrid Zone Weather. Numerous Prostrations and Several Deaths in Past Few Days.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.]
July 16, Biddeford and Saco: “Biddeford, Me., July 16. — The extreme heat today caused a suspension of the work in the Saco and Pettee machine shop and foundry. The slashen [unclear] rooms in the Pepperell mills shut down this noon. The quarrymen and some of the city laborers had to give up work, this morning. The thermometer registered from 90 to 100 in different places at 10 o’clock this morning. John I. Goodrich of Saco, was prostrated by the heat while at work in the York mills dye-house. He was unconscious for some time. His physician says he will recover. Avery Cole, a Saco farmer, was prostrated while at work in his hay field. A number of the machinists in the Saco & Pettee had to be carried home before the plant shut down, the heat being 100 then….” (Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “Biddeford and Saco. Work Generally Stopped — Several Cases of Prostration Reported.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.)
July 16, Eastport: “The highest mark touched by the mercury in the official thermometer at the United States weather bureau since its establishment in 1872 was reached yesterday when the maximum temperature recorded was 93. The nearest approach to this figure was July 29, 1894 when the maximum was 91. The average for the 24 hours ending at 8 P.M. yesterday was 79, the temperature having fallen to 65 during the night.” (Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “Maine Having Touch of Torrid Zone Weather…Prostrations and Several Deaths…” 7-17-1901, p. 1.)
July 16, South Gardiner: “….Thermometers register 102 in the shade, the highest recorded for thirty years.” (Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “Maine Having Touch of Torrid Zone Weather. Numerous Prostrations and Several Deaths in Past Few Days.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.
Maryland
July 2, Baltimore: “Baltimore, Md., July 2 — This city was again at the head of the list of hottest cities today. The highest point reached by the mercury was at 2 p.m., when it touched 103 degrees, the maximum temperature of yesterday, and remained stationary for an hour…Up to 11 o’clock tonight thirteen deaths and thirty-nine prostrations had been reported.” (Atlanta Constitution. “White Heat at Baltimore. Mercury Touches 103 Degrees…” 7-3-1901, p. 1.)
Massachusetts
June 27, Boston: “Three persons died yesterday [27th] as a result of the heat, which was the greatest this city has experienced this year, more than a score were prostrated, and those who suffered from the heat numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Doubtless there were many deaths of people who were ill, and might otherwise have recovered, to be attributed to the torrid wave which swept down on the city as early as sunrise, and which stayed down and upon the people until long after the sun had gone to rest below the western horizon.
“It was a day of the utmost discomfort to those who have no more serious occupation in hand than to look after their personal pleasures, and to the many more who have to earn a livelihood in occupations which necessitate their active participation in business affairs, especially when that activity is exercised out of doors, the weather brought real suffering.
“The greatest suffering, however, was in those neighborhoods where the tenement dwellers are closely crowded together and where there is neither an opportunity for the adults to get a breath of fresh air, nor for the children to find a shady spot in which to rest or play. In the North End, especially, every thoroughfare was simply thronged throughout the day by half-dressed little folks trying to get a breath of fresh air, which seemed to be impossible of attainment, and along the wharves and in North End parks there were so many women and children, all trying to get cool, that it seemed that every newcomer merely added to the discomfort, for, said the North End dwellers, there was no comfort anywhere.
“All the rich folks who have yachts, or who have friends who own them, got out of town early in the day and went to sea, where it is always tolerable in hot weather; those who had no yachts, but who had a little money, went to the beaches, and those who had no money at all either went to the pier-heads or to the public parks, but whoever they were or wherever they went, the people of Boston found that the heat had seen the place first, and that it was a hot day afloat as well as ashore.
“In Boston those who had to be about their duties in the streets suffered the most, and some of them died. At 12:35 yesterday afternoon a policeman found a man who was young, and dressed as a laborer, lying on the sidewalk in front of 19 Faneuil Hall market, on the South Market-st side, unconscious. The policeman called an ambulance, and the man, who was then breathing, was started for the Massachusetts general hospital, but he was dead when the ambulance reached there. The surgeons refused to accept the body, which was then taken to Tinkham’s undertaking rooms on Howard st….
“At 11 o’clock yesterday morning Fred Busher, 53 years old, of 153 Cambridge st, Cambridge, employed as a laborer by the Boston elevated railway company, was overcome by the heat while at work on the elevated structure at Thompson sq. An inbound L train was stopped to carry him to the City-sq station, and from there an ambulance was called from the Emergency hospital. When the ambulance got there Busher was dead….
“Michael Mulrey, aged 25, of 1040 Harrison av., who was found unconscious from the heat in Dorchester Wednesday afternoon, and who was removed to the City hospital…died at the hospital yesterday forenoon without having regained consciousness….” (Boston Daily Globe. “Killed by Heat. Three Persons Dead.” 6-28-1901, p. 1.)
June 28, Boston: “Yesterday was the hottest June 28 in the history of the weather bureau. The official thermometer, high up on Federal building, registered 97 degrees at 3 o’clock p.m. Down in the streets, where thousands sweltered, the thermometer registered 98 degrees from 12 to 1 o’clock. Only once in twenty-nine years has any June day been so hot….
“The heat is general throughout the country. Boston is now but one of the suburbs of a continental ‘city of dreadful heat.’ When the sun arose yesterday morning it glowed like fiery copper through the heat haze over the harbor. The heat was even then 75 degrees. By 7 o’clock it was 78, by 9 o’clock it had risen to 87, at 10 o’clock it jumped into the 90s, and there, ever climbing upward, it remained the most of the day….
“Suffering humanity sweltered and fainted in the streets…Horses floundered and fell and in dumb misery sometimes died. A shop girl would be wearily showing goods, and suddenly would collapse upon her counter. A waiter would be handing dishes to restaurant patrons and would be prostrated in the midst of the heat and steaming odors. Men, women and little children dropped in the streets, and the ambulances hurried here and there to the hospitals and police stations. In the crowded and narrow streets of tenements the poor folks suffered intensely. Going through the North and West Ends one could see pitiful sights — a suffering mother trying to soothe a fractious baby, half naked children lying on the pavement in narrow alleys, seeking shade and moaning to themselves. Wherever there was an open space, a park or a bench in shade, the people lay about, wearing as little clothing as possible….” (Boston Post, MA “Death in Hot Wave. Three Dead in Boston, Several Dying.” 6-29-1901, p. 4, continued from p. 1.)
July 1, Boston: “The end of the hot wave is not yet in sight. It caused five deaths in Boston and 11 in other places in New England yesterday….As a warning it can be said that the prostrations from heat are chiefly due, where the victim is not old, to the injudicious drinking of ice water or to a careless choice of one’s food….” Boston Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.)
July 16, Boston: “New England was baked to a crisp yesterday [16th] and the death record directly traceable to he heat will mount into the fifties, while the prostrations will reach into the hundreds. In Boston alone there were ten deaths from heat and eighty serious cases of prostration treated at the hospitals….In Boston the day opened with a temperature of 80 degrees and it jumped 5 degrees an hour for a couple of hours and at noon registered 96 degrees on the official thermometer, 150 feet above ground, on the federal building, while in the streets below it was 10 degrees warmer. The humidity was fearful and only a slight breeze, hot as coming from a baker’s oven, swept over the town at times. City laborers were compelled to quit work, many department stores released a large part of their help and manufacturing concerns were forced to shut down.” (Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, IA. “Heat Wave in New England.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.)
July 16, Lowell: “In Lowell, Mass., the thermometer registered 120 degrees and many reported the mercury bursting the tubes after reaching that mark.” (Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, IA. “Heat Wave in New England.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.)
Minnesota
June 25: “St. Paul, June 25. — The hot weather record for this section for June was broken today, the mercury at the local weather station reaching 96 degrees, three points above the highest previously reported here in June. At 7 o’clock tonight it was 92 with little prospects of falling much lower during the night. Only one prostration was reported.” (Weekly Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “Hot Day in St Paul.” 7-26-1901, p. 1.)
June 26: “Minneapolis, June 26. — There were four prostrations here today from the heat, and two at Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka.” (Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “More Victims of the Heat.” 6-27-1901, p. 2.)
July 12: “In St. Paul, Minn., yesterday [July 12] was the hottest day ever recorded by the Government weather bureau at that station, being 98. Unofficial instruments ranged from 100 to 105. One prostration was reported.” (Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Hot Waves Travel.” 7-14-1901, 1.)
July 15: “The hot wave continues throughout Minnesota the Dakotas, Huron reporting 103 and Sioux Falls 100. At the latter place a child went to sleep in the sun and died from the heat. New Ulm, Minn., reports a temperature of 104, with a number of prostrations. The government thermometer here went up to 98. There was a hot breeze from the south most of the day, which greatly added to the discomfort…” (Times Democrat, Lima, OH. “Drouth Unbroken.” 7-15-1901, p. 4.)
Mississippi
July 13: “Vicksburg, Miss., July 13. — At 4 o’clock this afternoon the thermometer in the Weather Bureau registered 11 degrees, while street thermometers indicated from 101 to 103. This has only been exceeded once since the establishment of the Bureau, 101 on June 15, 1881, being the highest ever recorded.” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “Hot Weather Record.” 7-14-1901, p. 2.)
July 15: “Jackson Miss., July 15 — From all over the state come reports that corn, cotton and other farm crops have been seriously damaged because of the long continued drought. Very little rain has fallen since April and none at all except in a few favored spots since June 1. Mississippi made little corn last year because of continuous rains during June and July, and to fail two years in succession is a serious mater to thousands of farmers. The weather has been extremely hot for a week.” (Times Democrat, Lima, OH. “Drouth Unbroken.” 7-15-1901, p. 4.)
Missouri
June 23, St. Louis: “Yesterday [June 23] was the hottest day St. Louis has experienced this year, the thermometer registering 100 degrees from 4 to 5 o’clock in the afternoon. Commencing with a minimum of 75 degrees early yesterday morning, the mercury soon reached the nineties, and continued above 95 degrees for a great part of the day. Although the majority of persons kept quiet as much as possible and frequented the summer gardens, several cases of heat prostrations were reported, including one fatality.” (The Press, Summer, IL. “Hottest Day of the Year.” 6-27-1901, p. 2.)
June 28, Kansas City: “Kansas City, Mo., June 28. — The temperature at 4 p.m. was 100. Michael Carter, a plasterer, was overcome by the heat and his condition is critical.” (Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “In Kansas City.” 6-29-1901, p. 1.)
July 1, St. Joseph: The long drouth and heated spell was broken tonight by a heavy rain and a rapid drop in temperature. There were many heat prostrations here today, only one of which proved fatal. Ex-Policeman T. J. Dowdon was overcome on the street and before he had recovered he drank a glass of ice water. Within five minutes he was dead. The thermometer registered 105.” (Colorado Springs Gazette. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.)
July 1, St. Louis: “July was ushered in today with scarcely any abatement of the heat which marked the closing days of June. Starting at 5 o’clock at 81 degrees, the mercury in the thermometer at the weather bureau rose steadily, reaching 100 at 8 o’clock. It did not remain long at this point, however, and an hour after the highest point had been reached dropped two degrees. As night drew near a breeze cooled the atmosphere. The following deaths from heat were recorded:
John Keller, 58 years.
John Wise.
Henry Stauber, 50 years.
Frank Douglas, negro.
Henry Schuette, 60 years.
Annie Nannie.
“The following names were added to the list of prostrations: Julius Eberhart, 38 years; Patrick Rabbit, Ike Murphy, Mrs. Lizzie Curboy, 60 years.” (Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.)
July 2, St. Louis: “St. Louis, Mo., July 2 — A much-wanted rain came to St. Louis this afternoon and brought great relief from the heat. After the rain the mercury dropped from 97 to 80 degrees. Thirty-three persons — a larger number than were treated during the entire summer of 1900 — are at the city hospital suffering from heat prostration. During the twenty-four hours ending at 8 o’clock tonight four deaths and forty-seven prostrations have been reported.” (Atlanta Constitution. “St. Louis is Cooled by Rain.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.)
July 14, St. Joseph: “St. Joseph, Mo., July 14. — The long-continued drought has resulted in the entire ruin of the corn and oats crop in this section of the country. The fruit and vegetable crops are also complete failures, and the pastures have dried up so that the farmers are paying enormous prices for hay and seed. Unless rain comes this week, wheat, which was an abundant crop, will have to be substituted for even the coarser and cheaper kinds of food.” (Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Another Day of Hot Wave.” 7-15-1901, p. 3.)
July 17, St. Louis: “The rain that threatened yesterday and last night failed to come and today [17th] starts in with every indication of being a scorcher. At 8 o’clock the government thermometer registered 84. Several prostrations have been reported during the past twenty-four hours and one death, that of Prof. Bernhard J. Newmann…” (Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, IA. “St. Louis Disappointed.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.)
July 22, St. Louis: “This was the hottest day in the history of St. Louis. Shortly after 1 p.m. the government thermometer recorded 107.” (Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “The Heat Kills.” 7-22-1901, p. 1.)
July 24, St. Louis: “Reports received at the mortuary office up t noon showed forty deaths from heat during the past twenty-four hours. The ward of the city hospital are filled with heat patients. Ten new cases were received this forenoon. At noon the temperature was 102, two degrees higher than yesterday. At 10 a.m. the temperature here was 98, compared with 92 at the same time yesterday. Twenty-one deaths due directly to the heat reported in St. Louis yesterday. In several of these cases death occurred late Monday [22nd]. Thermic fever, sunstroke, heat prostration and inselation [?] are named as the various forms of fatal strokes.” (Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Many Die At St. Louis.” 7-24-1901, p. 1.)
Nebraska
June 25: “Omaha, June 25. — The highest temperature reached today was 97 degrees, one degree lower than the highest mark of last year. Strong winds prevented such heat oppression as to cause casualties except in one instance. At South Omaha today, Ulrich Andreeg, aged 44 years, a butcher, died from heat.” (Weekly Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “High Temperature.” 7-26-1901, p. 1.)
June 28: “Omaha, Neb., June 28. — Today was the hottest June day on the records of the weather bureau, the thermometer reaching 100 degrees. The whole week has been a record-breaker. Wednesday the register was 98, and the minimum high point for the week.” (Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Omaha Hot Weather.” 6-29-1901, p. 1.)
July 11: “Lincoln, July 12. –The maximum temperature for Lincoln and the southern half of Nebraska dropped two degrees yesterday [11th], to 101. Hot winds continue, however, and the drought is still on. At Beaver City this was the nineteenth successive day when the temperature has been 100 degrees or over. Fear of a water famine exists in many towns….” (Marshfield Times, WI. “South Now Suffers From Great Heat.” 7-19-1901, p. 5.)
July 12: “Omaha, Neb., July 13. — The heat yesterday was intense. The thermometer reached 104 degrees in this city, and ranged from 103 to 107 throughout the state. At Fairbury the mercury registered 107; at Tecumseh, 104, and at O’Neill, 103. The street thermometers in this city was as high as 110 during the day, and the streets were fairly cleared of people. Hardly a breath of air stirred during the twenty-four hours. There was, however, an absence of hot winds which characterized the hot spell last week. The local forecaster gives no hope of relief except that the indications are for a less degree of humidity.” (Daily Times, Columbus, IN. “Heat Intense in Nebraska.” 7-14-1901, p. 1.)
July 15: “Lincoln, Neb., July 15 — Nebraska again suffered from the heat, the highest temperature reported by the weather bureau being 102 degrees at 4:30 p.m. Thermometers in the business district recorded 109. Reports show that no rain has fallen in the state during the past 24 hours. Rainfall within two days will yet save the corn crop. The spring wheat and oats crops will be a failure.” (Times Democrat, Lima, OH. “Drouth Unbroken.” 7-15-1901, p. 4.)
New England
June 29: “The heat at points all over the New England states was intense and prostrations were numerous.” (Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Slight Abatement of Hot Wave Today…” 6-29-1901, 1)
July 1: “….The worst feature is the great increase in infant mortality in the cities.” (Colorado Springs Gazette. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.)
New Jersey
June 30, NYT: “Newark, N.J., June 30.— The heat here last night left the central part of the city in darkness, owing to the collapsing of men at the electric power station. The firemen at work in the pits in the power house worked in relays during the early evening but even this did not enable them to keep at work. By 8 o’clock several were in a state of collapse. The rest managed to keep the steam up for an hour, but as more and more men were forced to give up the steam began to run down.
“The engineers then made an investigation and found the fire-room force demoralized. The force that remained had to be conserved for the most important boilers, and most of the street lights were shut off. The store circuits were generally kept going but office circuits were shut down. The arc light circuits also had to be cut off in the centre of the city where the store lights could be relied upon to keep the streets fairly wall lighted.
“Meantime messengers were scouring the city for extra, firemen. The day firemen who had gone off duty at 6 o’clock, were called upon, and worked until extra men could be gotten. By midnight enough men were on hand to keep up steam in all boilers. The men are working in relays tonight, so no further trouble is expected.” (NYT. “Newark in Partial Darkness,” July 1, 1901, 1)
July 2, NYT: “New Jersey baked again yesterday until local showers in the afternoon caused a decided drop in the temperature, but in the evening after the storm had subsided there was a disposition on the part of the mercury to rise again. The outlook last night was for another scorcher to-day [July 3].
“The death rate went up with a bound in the big cities of the State. Thirty-one persons died in Newark as a direct result of the heat. Sixty or more persons were prostrated in the same city. In Hoboken and North Hudson eight deaths were reported and fifty-two prostrations. Jersey City escaped lightly with less than half a dozen deaths and about thirty cases of prostration. Six deaths took place at Elizabeth, where there were fifteen cases of prostration reported. New Brunswick had three deaths and nine cases of prostratin. Passaic had one death and nine prostrations. Paterson had three deaths and fourteen prostrations. Plainfield had but one death but a dozen prostrations. Orange had two deaths and eight prostrations. Hackensack, one death and two prostrations. Rahway had two deaths and one case of sunstroke.
“Various other places in the Sate ran the deaths up to more than one hundred. There were hundreds of prostrations. The cases continued to occur during last evening, despite the apparent break in the heat. The hospitals in all the cities are overflowing, and there is danger of the attendants collapsing. In most of the big hospitals in Newark and Jersey City no cases are taken unless they are urgent, so as to reserve as much room as possible for heat cases. Those treated for prostration are hurried home as soon as it is safe to let them go, so as to make room for more.
“In Newark and Jersey City, Hoboken, and other places having tenement quarters, the residents of these sections sought relief from the heat last night in the parks. They were ll thrown open to them, and the police looked the other way.
“Horses dropped by the score in the big cities. Paterson, Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken having steep hills witnessed the greatest mortality in horses.
“Paterson and New Brunswick are practically at a standstill so far as manufacturing is concerned. Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth are almost as bad. Then the thermometers on the streets and in the shade ran up to 100 or more the temperature in the factories became unbearable, and the proprietors either shut down for the day or the employes abandoned work.
“In Hoboken a standard thermometer registered 108 in the shade, and while this was excessive, almost every section of the State registered more than 100….” (New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey.” 7-3-1901.)
New York
June 22, NYC: “A dense fog which settled over the harbor yesterday [June 22], humidity which settled over the mainland, and temperature of real Summery character, made the day an exceptionally disagreeable one in New York. It was the first real warm day of the year, and the fact that it was Saturday, and a half holiday, made it possible for vast throngs to seek the seaside and the country. Mr. Emery, who supervises the weather for this city and neighborhood, sat in his office on the top floor of 100 Broadway yesterday afternoon, perspiring just like all the rest of New York. He said he hated to say it, but that the day was but the precursor of a series of hot days which have been arranged for the next week or so….
“The effect of the heat was particularly noticeable upon horses. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals did a rush day’s work caring for the unfortunate beasts that had become overheated. Horses dropped in their tracks in many parts of the city, the humidity wreaking its effect relentlessly in this particular.
“Last night [22nd] was the first real Summer night for the tenement districts. Every man, woman, and child in those sections of this big city who could do so slept outdoors. Mothers could be seen by hundreds nursing infants on the sidewalk, while others with parched throats tried to sleep on pavements where policemen would not interfere. Only three prostrations were reported: Horace Rosenberg, twenty-two years old, of 72 Goerck Street, was overcome at 255 Second Street and taken to Bellevue Hospital. Thomas Robinson, thirty-six years old, of Mills Hotel No. 2, was overcome at 51 Jackson Street, and had to be attended by a hospital physician. An unidentified man was overcome late in the afternoon by the heat at the corner of Christopher and West Streets. He was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital….” (New York Times. “Heat and Humidity Drive Many From City.” 6-23-1901.)
June 23, NYC: “The temperature in New York was of the torrid order again yesterday. At one time the mercury reached the 85 degree point, one degree hotter than was recorded at the Weather Bureau on Saturday. The parks, especially Central and Battery Park, were filled all day with a sweltering crowd of men, women, and children in search of relief from the oppressive heat. The cars and boats trafficking between the city and near-by seaside resorts were crowded all day, and it seemed from appearances that every person who had the fare took advantage of the opportunity to get an hour or so rest in the cooler atmosphere of the suburbs….Only one prostration from the heat was reported. John McCaffrey, a laborer living at 412 East Sixtieth Street, was found unconscious in front of 127 East Twenty-third Street. He was taken to Bellevue.” (New York Times. “Hot Sunday in the City.” 6-24-1901, p. 2.)
June 28, NYC: “There is no prospect of a let-up of the heat. Yesterday [27th] was hotter than the day before and today promises to be still hotter….Yesterday’s list of prostrations was longer, too, than Wednesday.[120] The official mercury reached 91.5 degrees, a degree and half higher than on Wednesday, making it the hottest day of the year. At 8 A.M. the record was 77 in the shade, at 10 A.M. it was 85, and 87 at noon. One P.M. saw it 89….Down on the street, twenty stories below, the mercury mounted much higher. Many thermometers made in 96 and 97 and in particularly torrid places there were records of 99 and 100 in the shade. ‘It is hot everywhere in the country east of the Missouri River,’ said Mr. Emery….” (The World, NYC. “Still Hotter Today; No Relief in Sight.” 6-28-1901, p. 7.)
June 29, NYC: “….the weather man says that Friday’s temperature was 2 degrees above that of yesterday [June 29]….In spite of this and the fact that figures never lie the average New Yorker yesterday was willing to swear that it was considerably hotter than on Friday. That it seemed so much hotter was probably due to the fact that the southerly breeze which had ameliorated conditions during the first part of the hot spell diminished much in force as the forenoon wore on….In the parks, on the piers, and even on the river, where weary men and women tried to get a breath of pure air, it was not much better. Several men were overcome on the river front and in Central Park two men succumbed temporarily to the rays of the sun. Up at the top of the twenty-story building where the Weather Bureau observes the evolutions of the thermometer the maximum temperature recorded was 92 degrees. This point was reached twice during the day, once at 2:30 o’clock and again at 4 o’clock….On the street it was, of course, much hotter, thermometers at various parts of the city registering all the way from 98 to 106 in the shade….
“The heat caused several deaths,[121] and a large number of prostrations were reported to the police by the hospitals. It appears from these reports that the greater part of those prostrated were not children and old people, but men between the ages of twenty-five and forty. In anticipation of such demands the hospitals yesterday completed their Summer equipment for the treatment of such cases. At Bellevue all the bathrooms have been prepared for the giving of ice baths on short notice, and at the other hospitals similar precautions have been taken….
“The heat also affected the horses, and Dr. W. P. Henderson of the New York Veterinary Hospital estimated that nearly 200 had died from the effects….” (New York Times. “New York Wilts in Protracted Heat.” 6-30-1901.)
June 29, Syracuse: “Syracuse, N.Y., June 29. — John Heitzman, teamster, sixty-six years old, was prostrated by the heat yesterday afternoon and died this morning. Two laborers were overcome this afternoon and died an hour later. Today several foundries were obliged to close, the men being unable on account of the excessive heat to continue at work. The thermometer registered 92 degrees at noon.” (New York Times. “Three Deaths in Syracuse.” 6-30-1901.)
July 1, NYC: “Out of the burning Sahara of brick and stone – Manhattan – there moved yesterday a mighty host, which swept down through Brooklyn to the sea at Coney Island. It was a second evacuation of New York, and in the city the dreaded heat was left in possession. The exodus was a record-breaker…. While yet the sun was low in the east there began to flow, from the east side and west side, already baking and blistering both, human streams, which came together in Park Row and raged as a swollen river across the bridge, breaking at last in an ever-growing flood on waiting and eager Coney….It is estimated that, about 150,000 fled to the Island from the city’s heat during the day.” (NYT. “The City A Furnace, Virtually Deserted,” 7-1-1901, p. 1, c. 7.)
July 1. NYC: “July sizzled into town yesterday as a record breaker, sending the mercury up the official tube at 3:10 o’clock in the afternoon to the 98 degree mark. Not only was it the hottest day of the Summer, but it was the hottest July 1 in the history of the Weather Bureau, the previous high record being in 1872 when the thermometer recorded 95 degrees. Moreover, the record of yesterday came within one degree of equaling the mark of the hottest July day of which there is any record, and also it came within 2 degrees of equaling the highest record which the department has on its books.
“The above records are those of the Weather Bureau, situated on the twentieth story of a skyscraper, far above the real city, where in the hemmed-in streets countless multitudes work and swelter until many of them succumb to the unnatural strain. The temperature, according to standard thermometers in the streets, varied considerably with the location of the thermometer. The thermometer at The New York Times Building reached the maximum of 100 degrees at exactly 4 o’clock.. At 2 o’clock the thermometer in Herald Square reached the 108 degree mark. Fortunately, the humidity in the air was slight, else the list of heat victims might have been doubled. As it was, no fewer than 87 deaths and 178 cases of prostration reported in the various boroughs during the day were attributed to the heat.
“As usual, the brunt of the suffering was borne by the very poor on the east and west sides of the town. The early morning scenes along Hester Street and Division Street and Delancey and Allen Streets were interesting and sad to behold…
“Hundreds upon hundreds of the poor inhabitants, unable to exist longer in their close, stifling quarters, brought their mattresses from inside the houses and camped in the street. When the policemen on beat along Hester and Division Streets made their early rounds they had to take to the roadway, for it was impossible without stepping on exhausted sleepers, to walk the sidewalk.
“Whole families camped out, fathers anxious to keep, their young together, mothers with crying babies, and –children who were too exhausted to care where they slept. And while the street was blocked with these, the roofs of the tenements for blocks around. were covered with others and the fire escape landings were crowded with still others, driven to the point of desperation to find rest and comfort….” (NYT. “Heat’s Holocaust In The Five Boroughs,” July 2, 1901, p. 1.)
July 2, NYC: “Over 200 deaths in all the boroughs and over 300 cases of prostration in Manhattan alone, two heat records smashed to smithereens, and two furious black squalls which brought some relief was the result of yesterday’s [July 2] meteorological record. The maximum temperature came at 2:15 o’clock in the afternoon, when the mercury reached the 99-degree mark — within one degree of the highest record in the history of the Weather Bureau, and equal to the highest previous July record, and 5 degrees higher than the previous July 2 record on the book of the bureau.
“The heat was so intense that the entire city was as if paralyzed. Many big companies and wholesale houses closed their doors as early as noon, in order to give their stenographers and clerks a chance to flee the city. Almost all of the insurance companies closed their doors. The Metropolitan Street Railway Company was unable to run its cars on strict schedule time for want of men to take the places of those who gave out. All work on the tunnel was well as on buildings and construction work throughout the city was suspended, and even the hospitals were affected. Many of the hospitals were unable longer to send out ambulances because their horses had given out. Patients were taken to the hospitals in police patrol wagons, and even in private delivery wagons. Up to 6 o’clock in the evening the total number of ambulance calls for heat prostrated persons was 500, and throughout the night the calls continued to come in. Over 250 horses were stricken with the heat, an the Health Department was unable until last night to remove all the bodies of the animals.
“The rise of the thermometer began with the coming of the sun, surrounded by a sickly coppery glare which announced another day of torture. All night long the temperature had been at a height that made sleeping impossible for the thousands of worn-out human and animal creatures that make up the population of the city. Throughout the night cars running to and from the Battery, and the ferryboats of all lines were packed with sweltering persons unable to find sleep and anxious to spend the night aboard anything that floated, even though it were but a ferryboat. The ferryboats at the foot of Cortlandt Street, the Staten Island ferryboats, and even the Brooklyn ferryboats were crowded on every trip, the passengers simply paying another fare and remaining to sail back and forth over the water to catch gasps of fresh air.
“As early as 8 o’clock the thermometer 300 feet over the real city showed 88 degrees, 5 degrees higher than the day before, itself a record-breaker. Within two hours the mercury jumped 7 degrees, and persons who looked at thermometers wiped their perspiring foreheads and wondered what the day would have in store, the record at that early morning hour being the one that caused consternation only two days before. In the next two hours the mercury went up at the rate of 1 degree for each, until at 1 o’clock P.M. it stopped at 98 degrees, where it held on for an hour….
“Down in the streets, where there was hardly a breath of air and where the tall buildings exhaled the heat that has been pumped into them by the sun for the last week, the temperature was far higher than that recorded in the Weather Bureau. A standard thermometer at Eighth Street and University Place marked 103 in the shade at 2 o’clock. In Park Row the New York Times thermometer showed 101 degrees at as early as 1 o’clock, and the thermometer in Herald Square, which on Monday showed 108 degrees at 2 o’clock showed 110 degrees at the same hour yesterday. Even in the offices high up over the sidewalks the heat was almost unbearable. In the office of Contractor McDonald, on the twenty-sixth floor of the Syndicate Building — presumably the coolest office in town — the thermometer rose to 96 degrees at noon and remained at that point until the storm broke….
“In the shopping districts along Six Avenue the stores were almost deserted. The streets, at other times packed with anxious buyers, pushing toward the enticing bargain counters, were filled only with pedestrians obliged to work, and whose one object was to get out of the sun.
“On the lower east side among the poor of the city the same pitiful efforts shown on the previous days to fight the heat were apparent. As usual, whole families slept in the streets and on the tops of houses and on fire-escape landings. Many, however, went to the parks, and Central Park showed a rare sight as the blistering sun went down on it Monday night. Whole families, mothers and babes in arms, had gone to the Park to sleep outdoors rather than to stifle in their squalid hot rooms. All made themselves comfortable for the night and found places for themselves to sleep under trees and bushes, or to spend the hot night at least under God’s free sky. Similar scenes were witnessed in the parks in Brooklyn. Park Commissioner Brower called at local Police Headquarters and secured the consent of the police authorities not to enforce the ordinance prohibiting persons from entering the parks after a certain hour at night.
July 3, Brooklyn: “The suffering among the sugar house workers in the refineries of the American Sugar Refining Company on Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, still continues. While several physicians are employed by the company to look after the men who become prostrated from the heat, they were unable to attend to all the cases that occurred during Tuesday night [July 2], and it was found necessary to call upon the doctors of the Eastern District Hospital to help them….All with the exception of one who had been overcome were taken to their homes, and he was taken to the hospital.
“Between midday on Tuesday and 6 o’clock last night, the hour of closing, 305 deaths [all causes] had been recorded at the office of the Brooklyn Department of Health. This exceeds all other records for a like period of time by 100.” (NY Times. “Incidents and Notes.” 7-4-1901.)
July 22, New York: “Four deaths from heat were reported here today. At 1 a.m. the weather bureau thermometer registered 86 degrees. The humidity at the same hour was 69.” (Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “The Heat Kills.” 7-22-1901, p. 1.)
Ohio
June 29, Cincinnati: “Cincinnati. The highest point the thermometer has reached here in many years was 104 degrees on July 10, 1881, and…it looks as though the performance of twenty years ago is about to be repeated….” (Daily Republican-News, Hamilton, OH. “Still Swelter but Bassler [weather bureau] Holds out Hope.” 6-29-1901, p. 1.)
June 29, Cleveland: “The excessive heat that has prevailed for the past several days continues tonight causing prostrations and deaths in various parts of town. He official weather record on the top of a ten story building is 98. On the ground the temperature reached 100. Four deaths and four prostrations are reported, some of the latter being in a serious condition….” (Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Extreme Heat.” 6-30-1901, p. 11.)
June 29, Columbus: “Columbus, June 29 — The thermometer started skyward early today and the local weather bureau has promised the hottest day of the season unless rain shall give relief. At 10 o’clock the temperature was 86 and at 11 o’clock 89, and still going up…” (Daily Republican-News, Hamilton, OH. “Still Swelter but Bassler Holds out Hope.” 6-29-1901, p. 1.)
July 1, Cincinnati: “The spell of torrid heat which has held sway here during the past week, was broken this afternoon by a squall. The storm came suddenly from the southeast, and for a time the wind blew at a rate of 60 miles an hour. This was followed by a thunder shower, and the temperature dropped to 75. The maximum temperature today was 96 at the government observation station and 99 on the street. There were five deaths from heat today, making 12 since the hot spell began a week ago. Today’s deaths:
John Stofer.
Jos. Fuzz.
Michael Gibben.
George Elrich.
Michael Deloughey.
“Twelve persons are now at the city hospital in a serious condition.” (Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.)
July 1, Cleveland: “The highest temperature recorded by the weather bureau today was 98. About 9 o’clock a heavy wind came from the west and cooled the atmosphere considerably. Three deaths occurred from the heat and 18 prostrations. The dead are: William Reidel of Cleveland. James Kracek, a farmer of Orange township. Owen McCloane of Buffalo, found dead on the lake docks tonight.” (Colorado Springs Gazette. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.)
July 2, Cincinnati: “”Cincinnati, O., July 2 — Two deaths and sixteen prostrations were reported here today, making a total of seventeen deaths and ninety-one prostrations during the present hot spell. The maximum was 92.” (Atlanta Constitution. “Two Dead at Cincinnati.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.)
July 11, Cincinnati: “The government thermometer yesterday [11th] reached 99.4, while on the street it ranged from 100 to 105 in the shade.” (Marshfield Times, WI. “South Now Suffers From Great Heat.” 7-19-1901, p. 5.)
Pennsylvania
June 25, Pittsburgh: “Pittsburg, Pa., June 25. — This was the record hot day of the year. The thermometer hovering around 92 degrees from early morning until nightfall. Edward Calloway, aged 20 years, died from the extreme heat and there were many prostrations. Between 75 and 100 men were driven from the Homestead steel works by the heat and the National Tube works at McKeesport[122] suspended work in several of its departments. Many other plants will have to close down tomorrow if the hot spell is not broken.” (Weekly Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “Pittsburgh Weather.” 7-26-1901, p. 1.)
June 28, Pittsburgh: “While the maximum temperature today was but 88 and the minimum 70, three deaths and several prostrations were reported. The dead are Mary Dermo, 15; Gilbert Logan, 65 years; Robert Houston, 8 years.” (Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Heat In Pittsburg.” 6-29-1901, p. 1.)
June 29, Philadelphia: “Philadelphia, June 29. — Three deaths and a score of prostrations occurred here today as a result of the excessive heat. The maximum temperature was 95 degrees at 3 o’clock this afternoon, and the minimum 78 degrees at 5 o’clock this morning. There was 83 percent humidity, which added greatly to the discomfort.” (New York Times. “Three Deaths in Philadelphia.” 6-30-1901.)
June 29, Pittsburgh: “This was the hottest day of the year for Pittsburg, the thermometer registering 94 at the government weather bureau shortly after 3 p.m. Francis Mills and Mary Geermo died from exhaustion and many prostrations are reported. The mills and factories lost many men during the day because they could not continue work in the intense heat. The Soho and [unclear] furnaces both had to suspend operations and if the warm wave continues other plants will be forced to close down.” (Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Extreme Heat.” 6-29-1901, p. 1.)
July 1, Philadelphia: “Philadelphia, July 1. — Philadelphia and vicinity to-day experienced the highest temperature ever recorded in this city, the Government thermometer on the top of the Post Office Building, 170 feet above the street, registering 102 degrees even. The highest temperature previously recorded was on Sept. 1, 1881, when the Weather Bureau thermometer touched 101.5 degrees. The minimum temperature today was at 5 A.M., when 82 was recorded. At noon it reached 98; 2 P.M. 100; 3 P.M., 101, and 3:45 P.M., 102. From the latter point it slowly fell, and at 6 o’clock it was down to 100 and at 8 P.M. 96. The velocity of the wind throughout the day was six miles an hour, practically a dead calm.
“All records regarding the number of deaths and prostrations due to the hot blast were broken. Every one of Philadelphia’s many hospitals was taxed to its full capacity. The extreme heat had a most demoralizing effect on the manufacturing establishments. The industrial district of Kensington was badly crippled, many of the establishments having to close down. At Cramps’ shipyard the prostrations were so numerous that the 5,000 men employed there were relieved from duty at noon. At Baldwin’s Locomotive Works, the Midvale Steel Works, and numerous other places scores of heat sufferers had to quit.
“Up to midnight fourteen deaths were reported and upward of one hundred persons were treated at hospitals for heat exhaustion.” (New York Times. “Philadelphia’s Hottest Day. 102 Degrees… ” 7-2-1901.)
July 1, Pittsburgh: “Pittsburg was a veritable furnace all day. From sunrise until long after dusk there was no cessation in the terrible heat. All previous records were broken, and the death rate was more than doubled. Infants and aged people succumbed alike and the suffering among all classes was intense. Many mills closed down entirely, and in all big mills relief shifts were constantly in readiness to replace those who could no longer endure the heat. Beginning at 1 o’clock this morning the thermometer registered 84 degrees, and from that time the temperature kept rising until at 5 o’clock this evening when it reached its maximum, 98. During all this time there was an almost entire absence of breeze. Among the poorest classes who live in the narrow streets and alleys, suffering was intense. Between the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight tonight 18 deaths from heat in Pittsburg and Allegheny were recorded and 40 prostrations. Shortly after midnight a cooling breeze sprang up and the mercury dropped to 88…” (Colorado Springs Gazette. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.)
July 2, Pittsburgh: “Pittsburg, July 2 — Twelve deaths and sixty prostrations from the heat were reported between midnight last night and 11 o’clock this morning, making the number of fatalities 40 in 24 hours.” (Daily Republican News, Hamilton, OH. “Pittsburg’s Roaster.” 7-2-1901, p. 1.)
July 2, Pittsburgh: “Pittsburg, July 2 — While the maximum temperature today, 94, did not reach yesterday’s figures the effect of the heat was more disastrous than on any day since the hot spell began. Up to 11 p.m. fifty deaths had been reported in Pittsburg, Allegheny and suburbs, with many prostrations. The only out-of-town death victim was Chase Hendrie, of Lexington, Ky….
“The effect of the heat is appalling. In the store, in the factory, in the mill, employees are stricken down, many to death, others to prolonged prostrations. In one mill at the Homestead plant fifty-two men were prostrated, and finishing mills Nos. 28 and 32 and open hearth mill No. 3 had to close down. The workmen were as busy carrying out and caring for their comrades who were prostrated as they were in performing their regular work. Innumerable children throughout the city are heat victims and the mortality among them is unprecedented. So many horses have succumbed to the heat that deliveries of all kinds are badly crippled. Particularly is this the case with the deliveries of ice and for a time almost an ice famine was threatened. One ice company lost fifty-six horses.” (Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Fifty Dead at Pittsburg.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.)
July 3, Philadelphia: “Philadelphia, July 3. — Although the temperature to-day did not reach the record it made yesterday and Monday by 4 degrees, the suffering from the heat was nearly as great, and the fatal results from the torrid wave were nearly as numerous as on the two previous days. Up to midnight the number of deaths attributed to the excessive heat reported since last midnight was 47, with over 250 prostrations. Th later reports from the police stations and hospitals will doubtless considerably increase these numbers.
“In order that heat patients can be promptly attended to, the city authorities have issued orders that policemen can seize any nearby team so as to get a patient to a hospital quickly. Tents have been erected in various parts of the city for the care of the prostrated.” (New York Times. “More Deaths in Philadelphia. Forty-seven Fatal Cases Yesterday.” 7-4-1901.)
Rhode Island
June 29, Newport: “Today’s heat, added to that of the last few days, caused an immense amount of suffering, one suicide and two attempts being indirectly charged up to the hot wave.” (Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “Deaths Follow Intense Heat.” 6-30-1901, p. 1.)
South Carolina
June 25, Charleston: “Charleston, S.C., June 25. — Severe heat here today caused many prostrations, although none have resulted seriously. The hot wave came unexpectedly on the heels of particularly pleasant weather and the sudden change had a terrible effect. As a result of the severe heat John Heyward, a negro boy, was prostrated in the street and the refusal of the city hospital authorities to receive him has created a stir in municipal circles. Hayward was in a dying condition. When the hospital would not admit him the police left him on the steps of the institution where he remained in the sun until he was finally admitted under protest. The matter has been unofficially presented to the grand jury which is in session and if Heyward should die, which is more than probable, a sifting of the conditions will be demanded. The hospital, for financial reasons, is opposed to accepting pauper patients, and the fact that the hot summer will have a disastrous effect on the poor is causing serious concern.” (The Constitution, Atlanta, GA. “Prostrated by the Heat. Severe Hot Wave Strikes the City of Charleston.” 6-26-1901, p. 5.)
South Dakota
July 12: “Mitchell, S.D., July 13. — A hot wind swept over this section of the state yesterday that had bad effects on the wheat crop. Competent judges place the damage done to wheat at from 12 to 15 per cent. The temperature by the government thermometer yesterday afternoon was 104.” (Daily Times, Columbus, IN. “Heat Intense in Nebraska.” 7-14-1901, p. 1.)
Tennessee
July 12, Memphis: “Memphis, Tenn., July 13. — Friday [12th] was the warmest day of the year in the central southern states and parts of the southwest. Many places in West Tennessee, Arkansas, North Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas reports that all heat records were broken during the afternoon. In Memphis the official report was 102 degrees at 5 o’clock. This is the highest temperature ever recorded here.” (Columbus Daily Herald, IN. “Heat Record Broken.” 7-13-1901, p. 1.)
Texas
July 13: “Dallas, Tex., July 13. — This is claimed to have been the hottest day known here in 16 years. Thermometers in the shade registered all the way from 101 to 107 degrees minimum. According to the one kept by The News in what is considered the coolest place down town, the average temperature between 4 a.m. and midnight was 98.1 degrees. Yesterday the average was 91.1 degrees…
“Orange, Tex., July 13. — This has been the hottest day ever experience here. In the Western Union office, where the Government records were kept for years, the thermometer registered 99, five degrees higher than ever before recorded. The same thermometer placed in front of Bland’s battery, on the sidewalk, registered 106 degrees.” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “Hot Weather Record.” 7-14-1901, p. 2.)
July 14, Denison: “Denison, Tex., July 14. — The worst drought ever experienced in this section was broken this afternoon by a terrific rainfall of over two hours’ duration…” (Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Another Day of Hot Wave.” 7-15-1901, p. 3.)
Wisconsin
June 11, La Crosse: “The thermometer registered 95 today and many prostrations were reported, one probably fatal. Workmen were compelled to stop work and farmers’ horses dropped on the streets as the result of the heat.” (Jacksonville Daily Journal, IL. “Weather Conditions.” 6-12-1901, p. 1.)
June 26: “Milwaukee, June 26. — Record-breaking heat prevailed in some parts of the state today. There was one prostration in Milwaukee. At Berlin, J. Bernhart died from sunstroke.” (Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “More Victims of the Heat.” 6-27-1901, p. 2.)
July 22, Madison: “All heat records in Wisconsin were broken yesterday. The government thermometer at Washington observatory registered a maximum temperature of 104 degrees. Crops already suffering severely wilted under the combined heat and unless rain come now in one or two days corn and tobacco will be practically a total loss…” (Grand Rapids Tribune, WI. “The Crops Are Doomed. Continued Drouth and Hot Weather Causes Alarm.” 7-27-1901, p. 2.)
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Columbus Daily Herald, IN. “Heat Record Broken.” 7-13-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/columbus/columbus-daily-herald/1901/07-13?tag
Columbus Daily Herald, IN. “Hot Weather In Kansas.” 7-13-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/columbus/columbus-daily-herald/1901/07-13?tag
Concord Enterprise, MA. “Heat Wave Continues Throughout New England.” 7-3-1901. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/massachusetts/concord/concord-enterprise/1901/06-03/page-5?tag
Cumberland News, MD. “Heat Waves are Dangerous.” 8-21-1987, p. 8. Accessed 11-10-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maryland/cumberland/cumberland-news/1987/08-21/page-8?tag
Daily News, Marshall, MI. “The News.” 6-12-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/michigan/marshall/marshall-daily-news/1901/06-12?tag
Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “The Heat Kills.” 7-22-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/oshkosh/oshkosh-daily-northwestern/1901/07-22?tag
Daily Republican News, Hamilton, OH. “Pittsburg’s Roaster.” 7-2-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/hamilton/hamilton-daily-republican-news/1901/06-29/page-9?tag
Daily Republican-News, Hamilton, OH. “Still Swelter but Bassler [weather bureau] Holds out Hope.” 6-29-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/hamilton/hamilton-daily-republican-news/1901/06-29?tag
Daily Review, Decatur, IL. “61 Deaths From Heat in Greater New York Tuesday.” 7-2-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/decatur/decatur-daily-review/1901/07-02?tag
Daily Times, Columbus, IN. “Heat Intense in Nebraska.” 7-14-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/columbus/columbus-daily-times/1901/07-14?tag
Dakota Huronite, SD. “Death List is Large…Heat…” 7-11-1901, p. 7. Accessed 1-12-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/south-dakota/huron/huron-dakota-huronite/1901/07-11/page-7?tag
Dakota Huronite, Huron, SD. “Nearly Fifty Deaths.” 7-11-1901, p. 7. Accessed 1-12-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/south-dakota/huron/huron-dakota-huronite/1901/07-11/page-7?tag
Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “Deaths Follow Intense Heat.” 6-30-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/davenport/davenport-daily-republican/1901/06-30/page-9?tag
Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “More Victims From the Intense Warm Wave in Chicago.” 6-26-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/davenport/davenport-daily-republican/1901/06-26?tag
Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “More Victims of the Heat. Four Deaths and a Number of Prostrations are Reported in Chicago.” 6-27-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/davenport/davenport-daily-republican/1901/06-27/page-2?tag
Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “Overcome by the Heat.” 6-15-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/davenport/davenport-daily-republican/1901/06-15?tag
Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “Succumb to the Heat.” 6-14-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/davenport/davenport-daily-republican/1901/06-14?tag
Decatur Herald, IL. “Deaths and Prostrations,” 7-4-1901, p. 1, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=309027
Des Moines Daily Capital, IA. “A Death From the Heat.” 6-29-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/des-moines/des-moines-capital/1901/06-29?tag
Fitchburg Sentinel, MA. “Cool Air Vanished,” 7-30-1901, p. 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=24838084
Fort Madison Weekly Democrat, IA. “Hot Days Continue.” 7-3-1901, p. 8. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com
Fort Wayne Evening Sentinel, IN. “First Fatality from Heat.” 7-3-1901, p. 8. Accessed 1-10-2017: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/fort-wayne/fort-wayne-sentinel/1901/07-03/page-8?tag
Fort Wayne Evening Sentinel, IN. “Weather Shows Little Mercy.” 7-3-1901, p. 8. Accessed 1-10-2017: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/fort-wayne/fort-wayne-sentinel/1901/07-03/page-8?tag
Frederick Post (David Lesher), MD. “Six-month total precipitation reported near normal in county.” 7-25-1988, p. B6. Accessed 7-21-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maryland/frederick/frederick-news-post/1988/07-25/page-25?tag
Galveston Daily News. “Heat in New York.” 7-7-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/texas/galveston/galveston-daily-news/1901/07-07/page-3?tag
Galveston Daily News, TX. “Hot Weather Record.” 7-14-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-12-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/texas/galveston/galveston-daily-news/1901/07-14/page-2?tag
Goshen Democrat, IN. “Heat Caused Death.” 7-6-1901, p. 3. Accessed 1-10-2010 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/goshen/goshen-democrat/1901/07-06/page-3?tag
Grand Rapids Tribune, WI. “Causes Death of Twins.” 7-27-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-tribune/1901/07-27/page-2?tag
Grand Rapids Tribune, WI. “Death at Madison.” 7-27-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-tribune/1901/07-27/page-2?tag
Grand Rapids Tribune, WI. “Heat Kills Priest.” 7-27-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-tribune/1901/07-27/page-2?tag
Grand Rapids Tribune, WI. “Johanna F. Brockman.” 7-27-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-tribune/1901/07-27/page-9?tag
Grand Rapids Tribune, WI. “The Crops Are Doomed. Continued Drouth and Hot Weather Causes Alarm.” 7-27-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-tribune/1901/07-27/page-2?tag
Greenville Evening Record, PA. “Deaths from Heat,” 7-1-1901, p. 1, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=131410116
Greenville Evening Record, PA. “Number of Deaths Occurred.” 7-3-1901. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com
Hawarden Independent, IA. “Terrible Heat Kills Scores in Big Cities.” 7-4-1901, p. 3. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/hawarden/hawarden-independent/1901/07-04/page-3?tag
Helena Independent, MT. “Backbone of Hot Wave is Broken.” 7-9-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-11-2011 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/montana/helena/helena-independent/1901/07-09/page-9?tag
Indianapolis Sun, IN. “Three Women Killed by Heat.” 7-13-1901, p. 3. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/indianapolis/indianapolis-sun/1901/07-13/page-3?tag
Jacksonville Daily Journal, IL. “Weather Conditions.” 6-12-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/jacksonville/jacksonville-daily-journal/1901/06-12?tag
Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “Eight Die in New York City.” 7-6-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/janesville/janesville-daily-gazette/1901/07-06?tag
Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “Philadelphia Has Twelve Deaths.” 7-6-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/janesville/janesville-daily-gazette/1901/07-06?tag
Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “A Death at Bangor.” 7-17-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maine/augusta/daily-kennebec-journal/1901/07-17?tag
Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “Biddeford and Saco. Work Generally Stopped — Several Cases of Prostration Reported.” 7-17-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maine/augusta/daily-kennebec-journal/1901/07-17?tag
Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “Maine Having Touch of Torrid Zone Weather. Numerous Prostrations and Several Deaths in Past Few Days.” 7-17-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maine/augusta/daily-kennebec-journal/1901/07-17?tag
Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “One Degree Higher. Portland Thermometers Go Up — A Death from Recent Extreme Heat.” 7-17-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maine/augusta/daily-kennebec-journal/1901/07-17?tag
LeMars Post, IA. “Heat Fatal in the Field.” 7-2-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-5-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/lemars/le-mars-semi-weekly-post/1901/06-02/page-2?tag
LeMars Post, IA. “Laborer Dies From Heat.” 7-2-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-5-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/lemars/le-mars-semi-weekly-post/1901/06-02/page-2?tag
LeMars Post, IA. “Succumbs to Heat Prostration.” 7-2-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-5-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/lemars/le-mars-semi-weekly-post/1901/06-02/page-2?tag
Lesher, David. “Western Maryland Weather.” Frederick Post, MD. 7-25-1988, B-6. Accessed 6-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/frederick-news-post-jul-25-1988-p-25/
Lowell Sun, MA. “100 Deaths in New England, 7-5-1901, p. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com
Lowell Sun, MA. “Call Out Firemen to Wet Down the Tenements in the Crowded Districts,” 7-2-1901. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=61826325
Lowell Sun, MA. “Report of Deaths.” 7-6-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/massachusetts/lowell/lowell-sun/1901/07-06/page-37?tag
Lowell Sun, MA. “Report of Deaths.” 7-8-1901, p. 5. Accessed 1-11-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/massachusetts/lowell/lowell-sun/1901/07-08/page-28?tag
Lowell Sun, MA. “Three Deaths…in Boston,” 7-1-1901, p. 10. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=56782030
Manitowoc Daily Herald, WI. “Chicago Woman Killed by the Heat at a Michigan Resort.” 7-23-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/manitowoc/manitowoc-daily-herald/1901/07-23?tag
Manitowoc Daily Herald, WI. “Hot Blast in the Southwest.” 7-23-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/manitowoc/manitowoc-daily-herald/1901/07-23?tag
Marion Daily Star, OH. “New York Suffers Death Grip of a Fearful Wave of Heat.” 6-29-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/marion/marion-daily-star/1901/06-29?tag
Marshall Daily News. MI. “Many Die From Heat,” 7-1-1901, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=120379162
Marshfield Times, WI. “South Now Suffers From Great Heat.” 7-19-1901, p. 5. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/marshfield/marshfield-times/1901/07-19/page-5?tag
Massillon Independent, OH. “More Deaths Charged to Heat.” 7-8-1901, p. 3. Accessed 1-11-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/massillon/massillon-independent/1901/07-08/page-3?tag
Montana Anaconda Standard. “Intense Heat Continues.” 7-6-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/montana/anaconda/anaconda-standard/1901/07-06/page-4?tag
Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. “Heat Wave Is Widespread.” 6-25-1901. Accessed 1-8-2017: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/nebraska/lincoln/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal/1901/06-25?tag
Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. “Hot Weather in New York.” 6-29-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/nebraska/lincoln/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal/1901/06-29?tag
New North, Rhinelander, WI. “Dropped Dead.” 8-1-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/rhinelander/new-north/1901/08-01/page-2?tag
New York Times. “99 at Baltimore,” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “200 More Dead Before Rain Falls,” 7-4-1901, p. 1, col. 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164664
New York Times. “A Pleasant Sunday.” 7-8-1901, p. 10. Accessed 1-12-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-york/new-york/new-york-times/1901/07-08/page-10?tag
New York Times. “Blistering Weather Up State.” 7-2-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9E07E7DF163BE733A25751C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Chicago Heat Record Broken.” 7-11-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=980CE6D71139EF32A25752C1A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Chicago Swelters at Ninety Degrees.” 6-23-1901. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9F04E1D81139EF32A25750C2A9609C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Cool Breeze Tempers the Heat in the City,” 7-5-1901, 1, col. 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164676
New York Times. “Crazed by Heat He Hanged Himself,” 7-1-1901, p. 2, c. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Deaths in Brooklyn.” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Deaths in Brooklyn.” 7-6-1901, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com
New York Times. “Deaths in Manhattan,” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Deaths in Manhattan,” 7-7-1901, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=52164691&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=3¤tPage=0&fpo=False
New York Times. “Died From Heat On Train,” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Died from the Heat in Weehawken,” 7-6-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-6-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9F03E7D71030E132A25755C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Died in a Vacant Lot,” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Four Deaths from Heat in Newark.” 7-5-1901. Accessed 1-6-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9F0DEEDB143FE433A25756C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Great Heat at Philadelphia,” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Heat and Humidity Drive Many From City.” 6-23-1901. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9E04E1D81139EF32A25750C2A9609C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Heat Brings Death and Much Suffering. Life Rendered Almost Unbearable in the Tenement Districts.” 6-29-1901. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=980DEED71F38E733A2575AC2A9609C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Heat Brings Death to over 200 Persons,” 7-3-1901, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164650
New York Times. “Heat Fatal in Pittsburg.” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Heat Kills Mr. Trask’s Coachman,” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Heat Kills Two in Brooklyn.” 7-31-1901. Accessed 1-9-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=980CE4DF1130E132A25752C3A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Heat Victim Strangles Himself.” 7-2-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9A04E7DF163BE733A25751C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Heat’s Great Ravages. Deaths Due to it in All Boroughs for Week Ending July 6 Numbered 989.” 7-9-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9504E3D71030E132A2575AC0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Heat’s Holocaust In The Five Boroughs,” 7-2-1901, p. 1. Accessed at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free
New York Times. “Heat’s Ravages in Sugar Refineries.” 6-30-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D07E5DA1E3BEE33A25753C3A9609C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Hot Sunday in the City.” 6-24-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-york/new-york/new-york-times/1901/06-24/page-2?tag
New York Times. “Incidents and Notes.” 7-4-1901. Accessed 1-6-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9801EFD81030E132A25757C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Insane by Heat, Farmer Kills Two.” 7-6-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9803E7D71030E132A25755C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Intense Heat in Kansas.” 7-4-1901. Accessed 1-6-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9A04EFD81030E132A25757C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Jacob S. Rogers Dead. Ex-Head of Paterson Locomotive Works, Suffering from the Heat, Expired at the Union League Club.” 7-3-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=940DE0DB143FE433A25750C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Jersey City’s First Fatal Case,” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Man, Apparently Crazed by the Heat, Commits Suicide,” 7-1-1901, p. 1, col. 2. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “More Deaths in Philadelphia. Forty-seven Fatal Cases Yesterday. — Policemen Can Seize Teams to Get Patients to Hospitals.” 7-4-1901. Accessed 1-6-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C01EFD81030E132A25757C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “New Jersey Deaths Again Reach 100.” 7-4-1901. Accessed 1-6-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9901EFD81030E132A25757C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “New York Wilts in Protracted Heat.” 6-30-1901. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9404E5DA1E3BEE33A25753C3A9609C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Newark in Partial Darkness.” 7-1-1901, p. 1, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Old Engineer Succumbs.” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey. A Standard Thermometer Registered 108 in Shade in Hoboken. Many Cases of Prostration from the Heat All Over the State — Factories Closed Down.” 7-3-1901. Accessed 1-6-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=940DE0DB143FE433A25750C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Philadelphia’s Hottest Day. 102 Degrees…” 7-2-1901. Accessed 1-7-2-17 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9504E7DF163BE733A25751C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Prof. John Fiske Dead. Historian, Lecturer, and Philosopher Stricken by Heat.” 7-5-1901. Accessed 1-6-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9502E7DA143FE433A25756C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Record Number of Deaths in Baltimore.” 7-7-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B00E2D91139E733A25754C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Retired Merchant a Heat Victim.” 7-4-1901. Accessed 1-6-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9801EFD81030E132A25757C0A9619C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Suicide Caused by the Heat.” 7-1-1901, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164617
New York Times. “The City A Furnace, Virtually Deserted.” 7-1-1901, p. 1, c. 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52164616
New York Times. “Three Deaths in Philadelphia.” 6-30-1901. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B04E5DA1E3BEE33A25753C3A9609C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Three Deaths in Syracuse.” 6-30-1901. Accessed 1-8-2016 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9A04E5DA1E3BEE33A25753C3A9609C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Two Prostrations in Schenectady.” 6-30-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D07E5DA1E3BEE33A25753C3A9609C946097D6CF
New York Times. “Whole Country Swelters.” 7-2-1901. Accessed 1-7-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9907E7DF163BE733A25751C0A9619C946097D6CF
Oakland Tribune, CA. “Heat Wave Studied.” 7-24-1936, p. 48. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=98100589
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Overcome by Heat.” 6-24-1901, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=8968661
Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Kills Man Aged 94” 6-29-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/racine/racine-daily-journal/1901/06-29?tag
Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Records Smashed.” 7-23-1901, 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/racine/racine-daily-journal/1901/07-23?tag
Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Wave Moderates.” 7-23-1901, 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/racine/racine-daily-journal/1901/07-23?tag
Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Hot Again in Chicago.” 7-27-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/racine/racine-daily-journal/1901/07-27/page-2?tag
Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Hot at Washington.” 7-30-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/racine/racine-daily-journal/1901/07-30?tag
Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Hot Blasts Visit City.” 7-27-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/racine/racine-daily-journal/1901/07-27/page-2?tag
Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Many Die At St. Louis.” 7-24-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/racine/racine-daily-journal/1901/07-24?tag
Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Slight Abatement of Hot Wave Today…” 6-29-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/racine/racine-daily-journal/1901/06-29?tag
Racine Weekly Journal, WI. “Heat Reaches its Maximum.” 7-25-1901, p. 6. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/racine/racine-journal/1901/07-25/page-6?tag
Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “Thousands Die from the Heat.” 7-3-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/nevada/reno/reno-evening-gazette/1901/07-03?tag
Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Hot Waves Travel.” 7-14-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/utah/salt-lake-city/salt-lake-tribune/1901/07-14?tag
Sandusky Daily Star, OH. “Sol as a Scorcher.” 7-12-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-12-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-daily-star/1901/07-12/page-2?tag
Sault News-Record (Sault Saint Marie, MI). “Eight Deaths in Gotham From Heat.” 6-29-1901, p. 1. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=109242088
Sunday Review, Decatur, IL. “Death from Heat.” 6-23-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/decatur/decatur-daily-review/1901/06-23?tag
Syracuse Evening Herald, NY. “Is This Warm Enough?” 7-1-1901, 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=48665328
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Deaths in New York Cities.” 7-4-1901, p. 1, col. 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22396699
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Dying by Hundreds in Great Cities,” 7-3-1901, p. 1., col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22396687
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Five Drop Dead in Chicago,” 7-2-1901, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22396675
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Fourteen Deaths in Baltimore,” 7-2-1901, p. 1, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22396675
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Fourteen in Philadelphia,” 7-2-1901, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22396675
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Heat Kills Eleven in New York.” 6-30-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-9-2017: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-york/syracuse/syracuse-post-standard/1901/06-30?tag
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Hundreds Die…Killed By Heat,” 7-2-1901, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22396675
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Rain Conquers Heat, But Only for a Time…99 Deaths,” 7-4-1901. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22396699
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Three Deaths in Chicago,” 7-4-1901, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22396699
Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Washington Record Broken,” 7-2-1901, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com
The Press, Summer, IL. “Hottest Day of the Year.” 6-27-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/sumner/sumner-press/1901/06-27/page-2?tag
The World, NYC. “245 Deaths; Lightning; Panic; Hotter; No Relief in Sight.” 7-3-1901, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=160318866
The World, NYC. “Still Hotter Today; No Relief in Sight.” 6-28-1901, p. 7. Accessed 1-9-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-york/new-york/new-york-world/1901/06-28/page-7?tag
The World, NYC. “West is Fairly Baking.” 7-11-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-12-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-york/new-york/world/1901/07-11/page-2?tag
Times Democrat, Lima, OH. “Drouth Unbroken.” 7-15-1901, p. 4. Accessed 1-12-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/lima/lima-times-democrat/1901/07-15/page-4?tag
Trenton Times, NJ. “Death of Farm Hand in Barn.” 7-3-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-jersey/trenton/trenton-times/1901/07-03?tag
Trenton Times, NJ. “Humidity’s Awful Work…Deaths in Trenton.” 7-3-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-jersey/trenton/trenton-times/1901/07-03?tag
Trenton Times, NJ. “Men and Cattle Die of Heat.” 6-25-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-8-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-jersey/trenton/trenton-times/1901/06-25?tag
United States Bureau of the Census. Special Reports. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. Washington, DC: Department of Commerce, Government Printing Office, 1906, 990 pages. Accessed 1-11-2017 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsushistorical/mortstatsh_1900-1904.pdf
Waterloo Daily Reporter, IA. “Heat Record Is Broken.” 7-16-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/waterloo/waterloo-daily-reporter/1901/07-16?tag
Weekly Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “High Temperature.” 7-26-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/colorado/colorado-springs/colorado-springs-weekly-gazette/1901/06-26?tag
Weekly Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “Hot Day in St Paul.” 7-26-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/colorado/colorado-springs/colorado-springs-weekly-gazette/1901/06-26?tag
Weekly Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “Pittsburgh Weather.” 7-26-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/colorado/colorado-springs/colorado-springs-weekly-gazette/1901/06-26?tag
Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “600 Dead in Six Days.” 7-5-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/bloomington/bloomington-weekly-pantagraph/1901/07-05?tag
Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington IL. “Around Home.” 8-2-1901, p. 7. Accessed 1-14-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/bloomington/bloomington-weekly-pantagraph/1901/08-02/page-13?tag
Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “Deaths Due to Heat.” 6-21-1901, p. 6. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/bloomington/bloomington-weekly-pantagraph/1901/06-21/page-12?tag
Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “Fatalities of a Day.” 6-14-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/bloomington/bloomington-weekly-pantagraph/1901/06-14/page-2?ta
Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “Prostrations By Score.” 6-28-1901, p. 2. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/bloomington/bloomington-weekly-pantagraph/1901/06-28/page-2?tag
Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “Swept the South. Hot Blasts Put Previous Temperature Records into the Clear.” 7-12-1901, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/bloomington/bloomington-weekly-pantagraph/1901/07-12?tag
Williamsport Daily Gazette and Bulletin, PA. [Engleside, PA heat death.] 7-2-1901, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com
Wyoming Post-Herald. “Hot Wave Scorches.” 7-10-1901, p. 4. Accessed 1-11-2011 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/wyoming/wyoming-post-herald/1901/07-10/page-4?tag
[1] We do not use this or ~9,500 deaths figures noted in AP reports below in that the figures are not close to those we have compiled from many sources, nor the 1906 Bureau of the Census heat mortality figure for 1901. Also no source citations provided, thus we do not know where figures came from nor how compiled. We can speculate a misreading of the line for “Heat and sunstroke” for 1901 (p. clxiv) in the Bureau of Census Mortality Statistics report for 1900-1904. The line, reading left to right, clearly notes that the number of deaths for heat and sunstroke for the “registration area” was 4,012. The next column, following double horizontal lines, has a breakout of 3,643 such deaths for “Registration cites.” The next three columns are under the heading of “Registration states. The first is titled “Total” showing 2,462 deaths. The next is “Cities” and shows 2,093 deaths. The next is “Rural districts” showing 369 deaths. The final column is “Registration cities in other states” [those outside the registration states], noting 1,550 deaths. The figure of 2,462 as the total of registration states is derived by adding 2093 for cities in registration states and 369 for rural districts in registration states. If one adds to this the 1,550 deaths for registration cities in other states, one gets 4012 — or the total shown for “registration area.” If however, one misreads this breakout and adds all the columns to the right of “registration area” one derives 10,117. This, though, would be an incorrect manner of reading the Heat and sunstroke line. Sent email to CDC 1-15-2017 seeking to confirm 4,012.
[2] Number applies to “registration area” comprising 11 registration States (CT, DC, IN, ME, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VE, plus approximately 360 registration cities.
[3] We in no way bring into question Census data showing 4,012 deaths. We just note the tally we have been able to reproduce from reporting at the time, and we put those into State and local breakouts by date. We have no doubt that the Census total is the minimum. As news reports of the time note, it was known that frail elderly, many with pre-existing health conditions, were dying at increased rates and thus there was little doubt that heat was a contributing factor. It was also known that babies were dying at alarmingly increased rates, and that many of these deaths could be attributed to high day and night temperatures, combined with high humidity, and low ventilation or air movement. Much of the reporting in the press, was of adults who passed out, were “prostrated,” on the street or at work or farming, and died on the spot or soon afterwards.
[4] “The records of the district health office show that for the first three days of July there were thirty deaths in Washington from sunstroke or other heat causes. The highest number of deaths for one day was recorded last Tuesday, the victims numbering eighteen. More deaths have been reported so far this month from heat than for any month during last year.”
[5] Noted, as well, “a score of heat prostrations.” Also noted that as of 9 pm, the temperature had only dropped to 79°.
[6] “…Ambrose Rice, a farmer, demented by the heat, hanged himself.” Notes temperatures in the shade of 100°.
[7] Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “Succumb to the Heat.” 6-14-1901, p. 1.
[8] Sunday Review, Decatur, IL. “Death from Heat.” 6-23-1901, p. 1. The fall victim was identified as John Hall.
[9] Trenton Times notes three deaths. A Nebraska State Journal article datelined Chicago, June 24, noted two: George Wiley, after being prostrated at work in a foundry, and Fritz Bramen, a prison inmate at Dunning. Also notes eleven non-fatal prostrations. (Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. “Heat Wave Is Widespread.” 6-25-1901.)
[10] Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “More Victims From the Intense Warm Wave in Chicago.” 6-26-1901, p. 1.
[11] Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “More Victims of the Heat. Four Deaths…in Chicago.” 6-27-1901, p. 2.
[12] “This was the eighth day of the hot wave. The temperature reached 93 degrees and there were two deaths and two prostrations.”
[13] Another source notes 4 deaths and 23 prostrations. (Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL. “600 Dead in Six Days.” 7-5-1901, p. 1.)
[14] Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington IL. “Around Home.” 8-2-1901, p. 7.
[15] Goshen Democrat, IN. “Heat Caused Death.” 7-6-1901, p. 3.
[16] Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “More Victims of the Heat.” 6-27-1901, p. 2.
[17] “Frank Dunham, a veteran in the railway mail service, was killed by sunstroke.”
[18] Cedar Rapids Daily Republican, IA. “Crazed by Intense Heat Mrs. Wiggins Jumped into Cistern.” 6-28-1901, p.7.
[19] Des Moines Daily Capital, IA. “A Death From the Heat.” 6-29-1901, p. 1.
[20] Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Another Day of Hot Wave.” 7-15-1901, p. 3.
[21] Galveston Daily News, TX. “Hot Weather Record.” 7-14-1901, p. 2.
[22] Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “A Death at Bangor.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.
[23] Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “One Degree Higher. Portland Thermometers Go Up — A Death from Recent Extreme Heat.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.
[24] Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “Maine Having Touch of Torrid Zone Weather.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.
[25] “Baltimore, July 6. — The number of deaths in this city for the week ended today was 452, the highest number for a week of which the Health Department has any record. Of these deaths 236 were of children under five years of age. At least 50 per cent of the mortality is said by the Health Department officials to be due, either directly or indirectly, to the intense heat.” [Thus our approximately 50% number of 226.]
[26] “Seven deaths which occurred yesterday [July 6] were not reported until today. This makes the total number of fatalities on Saturday [July 6] 12.”
[27] Boston Sunday Globe. “Andover, Mass.” 7-7-1901, p. 1.
[28] Identifies victims as Fred Busher, 53; Michael Mulrey, 25; and an unknown man, thought to be a longshoreman. Notes “more than a score were prostrated.” We note “at least” three died based on statement “Doubtless there were many deaths of people who were ill, and might otherwise have recovered, to be attributed to the torrid wave which swept down on the city as early as sunrise and which stayed…upon the people until long after the sun had gone…”
[29] Victims identified as Michael P. Ryan, a Dorchester laborer who was prostrated June 27 and died on June 28; Lorenzo Losco, after being taken to hospital day before; and James Francis, at the City Hospital.
[30] This morning addition provides the names of five males, aged 8, 30, 31, 38 and 38. In addition, notes 11 heat deaths outside Boston, but in New England. Noted as well are 10 New England drowning deaths (not in our tally).
[31] Boston Globe. “Death by Heat and Storm.” 7-2-1901, 1.
[32] Lowell Sun, MA. “Report of Deaths.” 7-6-1901, p. 1.
[33] Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims its Victims. Three Heat Deaths in Boston and 12 in New England. 7-4-1901, 1.
[34] New York Times. “Prof. John Fiske Dead. Historian, Lecturer, and Philosopher Stricken by Heat.” 7-5-1901.
[35] Boston Daily Globe. “Temperatures in Boston for Six Days — 21 Deaths in Boston — 66 in [NE].” 7-3-1901, 1.
[36] Boston Daily Globe. “Heat Adds to Victims.” 7-1-1901, p. 1.
[37] Lowell Sun, MA. “Report of Deaths.” 7-6-1901, p. 1.
[38] “Undertaker Albert Had 15 Deaths of Children Victims of Heat.” This was over previous four day period.
[39] Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims its Victims. Three Heat Deaths in Boston…12 in New England.” 7-4-1901, 1.
[40] Boston Daily Globe. “Death by Heat and Storm.” 7-2-1901, 1.
[41] Boston Daily Globe. “Victim of Heat.” 7-6-1901, p. 3.
[42] Boston Daily Globe. “Deaths From Heat Today.” 7-2-1901, 1.
[43] Boston Daily Globe (“Still Claims its Victims.” 7-4-1901, 1) noted “Up to noon today [July 4] there have been five deaths in this city [Detroit] from the heat.”
[44] New North, Rhinelander, WI. “Dropped Dead.” 8-1-1901, p. 2.
[45] Manitowoc Daily Herald, WI. “Chicago Woman Killed by the Heat at a Michigan Resort.” 7-23-1901, p. 2.
[46] Times Democrat, Lima, OH. “Drouth Unbroken.” 7-15-1901, p. 4.
[47] New York Times. “Insane by Heat, Farmer Kills Two.” 7-6-1901.
[48] Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “Deaths Follow Intense Heat.” 6-30-1901, p. 1.
[49] These and the five deaths noted for the 22nd were reported for Kansas City, MO, and Kansas City, KS.
[50] This is our figure, in that the July 23, Kansas City article notes 16 deaths for the last two days. We have previously noted 14. These deaths are noted for Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO. Notes most of the 16 “victims were elderly people.”
[51] Centralia Daily Sentinel, IL. “Death from Excessive Heat.” 6-25-1901, p. 1.
[52] Colorado Springs Gazette. “Still Near a Hundred.” 7-3-1901, p. 3.
[53] “St. Louis, July 27….The following heat statistics of this city have been given out: Duration to date, 23 days; deaths, 215; prostrations, estimated, 1000; last day of rain (covering the entire city of St. Louis, July 3; highest temperature recorded in St. Louis, 107.1.”
[54] Boston Daily Globe (“Still Claims its Victims.” 7-4-1901, 1), noted “There have been 34 deaths and 170 prostrations [in St. Louis] since June 22.”
[55] Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, IA. “St. Louis Disappointed.” 7-17-1901, p. 1.
[56] “St. Louis, July 24.–Reports received at the mortuary office up to noon showed forty deaths from heat during the past twenty-four hours….Twenty-ne deaths due directly to the heat reported n St. Louis yesterday.”
[57] LeMars Post, IA. “Laborer Dies From Heat.” 7-2-1901, p. 2.
[58] LeMars Post, IA. “Heat Fatal in the Field.” 7-2-1901, p. 2.
[59] Weekly Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “High Temperature.” 7-26-1901, p. 1.
[60] “Omaha, July 23. — With a record nine deaths and thirteen prostrations for Omaha and vicinity for the last 36 hours, today opened with a cloudy sky and the mercury registered 82 at 7 a.m.”
[61] LeMars Post, IA. “Succumbs to Heat Prostration.” 7-2-1901, p. 2.
[62] “The torrid wave of the past few days broke the casualty record in this city. There were six deaths resulting from the excessive heat and a much larger number of prostrations.”
[63] Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims its Victims. Three Heat Deaths in Boston and 12 in New England. 7-4-1901, 1.
[64] We have noted 109 heat-related deaths on July 2 by location or date below.
[65] Trenton Times, NJ. “Death of Farm Hand in Barn.” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
[66] NYT wrote “In Hoboken and North Hudson eight deaths were reported and fifty-two prostrations.” (New York Times. “Over 100 Deaths in New Jersey.” 7-3-1901.)
[67] Identifies victims as Frederick Rommell, 58; Walter Brandt, 35; Philip Caynor, and John Eagan.
[68] Noted additionally there had been 12 heat prostrations.
[69] NYT. “Ex-Head of Paterson Locomotive Works, Suffering from the Heat, Expired…” 7-3-1901.
[70] After noting 59 heat deaths by locality, writes: “Various other places in the State ran the deaths up to more than one hundred.” Thus we arrive at > (over) 41.
[71] Not included in count in that these would be included in one week heat death toll of 989 for NYC noted below.
[72] Number comes from counting the list of decedents arranged by name, age, and address.
[73] New York Times. “Heat Brings Death to over 200 Persons,” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
[74] Beck baby, 4 months, Elsie Gaur, 7 months, Raymond Raynor, 5 months, Lizzie Veily, 3 months.
[75] Identifies victims as George Oesmen, 50, and Charles Kitmiller, 67, and notes another 6 heat prostrations.
[76] New York Times. “Heat Victim Strangles Himself.” 7-2-1901.
[77] Victim identified as William Gildersleeve. (Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims its Victims.” 7-4-1901, p. 1.)
[78] Do not include in total, preferring to rely on New York Times daily totals.
[79] Number comes from counting the list of decedents arranged by name, age, and address.
[80] Given New York Times report below of “Over 200 deaths in all the boroughs and over 300 cases of prostration in Manhattan alone,” we do not use this number. Perhaps the fatalities and prostrations were conflated.
[81] New York Times. “Heat Brings Death to over 200 Persons,” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
[82] Daniel Carroll; Grace Conaghan, 65; Catherine Lawney, 50; Harry F. Hull; Joseph Stevens, 63; Mary Tynan, 45; unidentified male.
[83] The World, NYC. “Still Hotter Today; No Relief in Sight.” 6-28-1901, p. 7.
[84] “New York, July 6 — With a record of over a thousand deaths due directly to the heat and three times that number of prostrations, the week just passed has been anything but a happy or comfortable one for New Yorkers.”
[85] “For the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx the number was 689; for Brooklyn, 264; for Richmond, 12, and for Queens, 24. The records cover a period from 12 o’clock noon on June 29 to July 6 at noon, when the heat was most intense. Last year for the same period the total number of deaths from heat was but 8.”
[86] The World noted 245 deaths. (The World, NY. “245 Deaths…Hotter; No Relief in Sight,” 7-3-1901.) The headline of NYT article noted over 200. However, the number of deaths in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Richmond noted by name by the NYT totaled 229.
[87] “The total number of deaths reported for Manhattan and the Bronx to the Board of Health from noon Wednesday to noon yesterday [July 4] was a record breaker, being 406.”
[88] Died in Bellevue Hospital after having been prostrated by the heat on July 5.
[89] New York Times. “Heat Brings Death to over 200 Persons,” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
[90] New York Times. “Heat Brings Death to over 200 Persons,” 7-3-1901, p. 1.
[91] Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “Deaths Follow Intense Heat.” 6-30-1901, p. 1.
[92] Another source has 16 deaths in 5 days. (Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “Thousands Die from…Heat.” 7-3-1901, 1.), and the Atlanta Constitution (“Two Dead…”, July 3rd, p. 1) notes 17 deaths by July 2.
[93] Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “Deaths Follow Intense Heat.” 6-30-1901, p. 1.
[94] Indianapolis Sun, IN. “Three Women Killed by Heat.” 7-13-1901, p. 3.
[95] 25 heat prostrations also noted in another source. (Cayuga Herald, IN. “Hot Wave Scorches.” 6-30-1901, p. 14.)
[96] The Atlanta Constitution of July 3, p. 1., noted 50 heat deaths, many in “the store, in the factory, in the mill,” also noting “Innumerable children throughout the city are heat victims and the mortality among them is unprecedented.”
[97] Seems somewhat suspicious in that 47 is also the number of deaths reported for July 3. The article, though, is clearly date-lined Philadelphia, July 5, and clearly states “The number of deaths accounted to excessive heat reported for the day was 47, with prostrations of 300.”
[98] The Fort Wayne Evening Sentinel of July 3 (“Weather Shows Little Mercy, p. 8) notes 86 deaths, June 27-July 3.
[99] Weekly Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “Pittsburgh Weather.” 7-26-1901, p. 1.
[100] Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Extreme Heat.” 6-29-1901, p. 1.
[101] “Between the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight tonight 18 deaths from heat in Pittsburgh and Allegheny…reported.”
[102] Daily Republican News, Hamilton, OH. “Pittsburg’s Roaster.” 7-2-1901, p1. Not in total; 50 already noted for 2nd.
[103] Daily Republican News, Hamilton, OH. “Pittsburg’s Roaster.” 7-2-1901, p. 1.
[104] Boston Daily Globe reported 16 deaths by 1 pm alone. (Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims…” 7-4-1901, p. 1.)
[105] “At Pittsburg eleven deaths between Saturday night and midnight Sunday are directly traceable to the heat. Within eighteen hours fifty-nine burial permits were issued, the mortality being greatest among children. The normal death rate for the same period would be sixteen.”
[106] Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims its Victims. Three Heat Deaths in Boston and 12 in New England. 7-4-1901, 1.
[107] Boston Daily Globe. “Still Claims its Victims. Three Heat Deaths in Boston and 12 in New England. 7-4-1901, 1.
[108] Boston Daily Globe. “Temperatures in Boston for Six Days…” 7-3-1901, 1.
[109] Identified victim as Ned Lovett, a black, who died from a sunstroke at his work.
[110] Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “More Victims of the Heat.” 6-27-1901, p. 2.
[111] Bureau County Tribune, Princeton, IL. “Death of Wisconsin Fat Girl.” 6-28-1901, p. 5.
[112] “Eaton White committed suicide Thursday…by jumping into the Chippewa River, about six miles below Durand. It is supposed that the heat rendered him temporarily insane.
[113] Grand Rapids Tribune, WI. “Causes Death of Twins.” 7-27-1901, p. 2.
[114] Grand Rapids Tribune, WI. “Johanna F. Brockman.” 7-27-1901, p. 1.
[115] Davenport Daily Republican, IA. “Overcome by the Heat.” 6-15-1901, p. 1.
[116] Grand Rapids Tribune, WI. “Death at Madison.” 7-27-1901, p. 2. Noted as first heat victim in Madison.
[117] Identifies victim as Paul Mareneau, noting he had been in a healthy condition despite his age, until onset of hear.
[118] Grand Rapids Tribune. “Heat Kills Priest.” 7-27-1901, p. 2.
[119] “A farmer named Anderson, residing [near] this city, experienced a sunstroke in his hayfield and died.”
[120] Provides names, ages, and addresses for three fatal and seventeen non-fatal heat prostration victims.
[121] At the end of the article are listed the names, ages and addresses of 13 heat death victims in Manhattan and another four in Brooklyn, with another 32 non-fatal heat prostrations in Manhattan and another nine in Brooklyn.
[122] Part of today’s greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area — to the southeast of downtown Pittsburgh — at confluence of Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers.