1901 — March 25, Tornado, Jefferson County (Birmingham/Avondale/Irondale), AL –16-25

—  16-25  Blanchard estimate.[1]

—       25  Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Slain by Tornado. Twenty-Five…Dead…” 3-25-1901, p. 1.

—       25  National Weather Svc. Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama Tornadoes 1901. (website)

—       25  Times-Democrat, Lima, OH. “Many Were Killed in the Cyclone…” 3-26-1901, p. 2.

–17->20  Kazek. A History of Alabama’s Deadliest Tornadoes: Disaster in Dixie. 2010.[2]

—     >20  National Weather Svc., NOAA. This Day in Weather History: March 25th. (Website).

—       20  Spencer. “Alabama Tornadoes: Deadly tornadoes…” Birmingham News, 5-22-2011.

—       18  The News, Frederick, MD. “Birmingham’s Tornado…Eighteen… 3-27-1901, p. 1.

—       17  Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. p. 693.

—       17  National Weather Service WFO Birmingham AL. Alabama Tornado Database.

—       16  Murphy/Collins. Illustrated Souvenir of The Birmingham Storm…March 25, 1901. p. 3

—       14  Pratt City Herald, AL. “Two Cyclones….Fourteen Lives…Lost.” 3-30-1901, pp. 1, 8.

—       11  Stevens, W. R.. “Tornadoes in Alabama,” Monthly Weather Review, Oct 1925, p. 439.

 

Birmingham   (12-~25)

–18-~25  Times-Democrat, Lima, OH. “Many Were Killed in the Cyclone…” 3-26-1901, p. 2.[3]

—     ~15  Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Slain by Tornado. Twenty-Five…Dead…” 3-25-1901, p. 1.

—       14  The World, NY. “Twenty Dead in Birmingham in Tornado’s Swath.” 3-26-1901, p1.[4]

—       13  Murphy. Illustrated Souvenir of The Birmingham Storm…March 25, 1901. p. 3.[5]

—       12  The News, Frederick, MD. “Birmingham’s Tornado. 3-27-1901, p. 1.

Irondale          (3-7)

— 7  Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Slain by Tornado. Twenty-Five Persons Dead…” 3-25-1901, 1.

— 5  City of Irondale. City of Irondale Comprehensive Plan Existing Conditions Report. July 2015, p.9.[6]

— 3  Blanchard estimate.[7]

— 3  Murphy/Collins. Illustrated Souvenir of The Birmingham Storm…March 25, 1901. p. 3.[8]

— 3  The World, NYC. “Twenty Dead in Birmingham in Tornado’s Swath.” 3-26-1901, p. 1.

  1. W. Gardner, carpenter.

Two black children.

Pratt City       (0-4)

— 4  Spencer. “Alabama Tornadoes: Deadly tornadoes…” Birmingham News, 5-22-2011.

— 0  Blanchard estimate.[9]

— 0  Murphy and Collins. Illustrated Souvenir of The Birmingham Storm…March 25, 1901. p. 12

 

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “ AL  Mar 25, 1901  0945  17k [killed] 100inj  50y  15m  Fe. Jefferson [County] — Moved ENE across the southern part of Birmingham, to Avondale and Irondale. The tornado ‘bounced like a ball of rubber’ and cut a snake-like path through 200 homes. Prominent citizens were killed, but most of the dead were poor people living in shacks. The 17 deaths were counted while others were still critically injured. The final toll may have been over 20.” (p. 693.)

Murphy and Collins: “Loss of Life and Property. Birmingham. Property, loss, estimated $125,000. Building demolished or damaged, estimated 500. Number of persons made homeless, estimated 2,000. Number killed — White, 5; colored, 8. Irondale. Property loss, estimated $18,000. Buildings destroyed or damaged 31. Number killed — White, 1; colored 2. Many other suburban towns felt the fury of the winds which entailed more or less property losses, but fortunately no lives were sacrificed…. Most Truly, J. D. Collins.” (Murphy. Illustrated Souvenir of The Birmingham Storm…March 25, 1901. p. 3.)

National Weather Service, Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama Tornadoes 1901. (Website): March 25, 1901, 09:45, Jefferson County, F3, 15 miles in length, 50 yards wide, 25 fatalities, 100 injured. “Birmingham-Avondale-Irondale. At least 200 homes were damaged or destroyed. The storm moved from at least Green Spring through Irondale. Article from the Pratt City Herald 1910.”[10]

 National Weather Service, NOAA. This Day in Weather History: March 25th. (Website): “1901: More than 20 people were killed by an estimated F4 tornado that moved across parts of Birmingham, Alabama. The twister cut a 15-mile path from the south side of the city to Avondale and Irondale.”

 National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office Birmingham AL: “An F3 strikes at about 9:45 a.m. (CST), traveling about 15 miles, killing 17 people, injuring about 100, and damaging or destroying at least 200 homes.”  (Alabama Tornado Database.)

Spencer: “….History of killers….One of the most famous in Jefferson County was the March 15, 1901 outbreak which killed 20 people. While much of the local attention focused on the destruction wrought on Birmingham’s Southside, Lakeview and Avondale areas, Pratt City was also hit that day, killing four in that area and destroying Pratt City High School and Southern Methodist Church.” (Spencer, Thomas. “Alabama Tornadoes: Deadly tornadoes follow similar path in Jefferson County.” The Birmingham News, 5-22-2011.)

 

Newspapers at the Time

March 25: “Birmingham, Ala., March 25. — In a tornado which today swept over Jones Valley, in which Birmingham is located, twenty-five lives are estimated to have been lost. Immense damage was done to property. Between 9 and 10 a.m. the storm raged with great violence. Such havoc was created that up to 12:30 o’clock this p.m. the number of casualties had not been definitely fixed. Twenty-five dead was, however, the general estimate. Of these seven were killed at Irondale, about fifteen in the city of Birmingham and the others in suburban towns.

The Dead.

“Among the known dead are the following;  [12 according to Sentinel, 14 according to World.[11]]

Dr. G. Chapman [or Hapman],[12] prominent physician of this city, killed by falling debris

in Menthor’s [Minter’s] store on South Twentieth street.

Mrs. Robert J. Lowe, wife of the chairman of the state democratic committee.

Infant son of Mrs. Lowe, both killed at their residence on South Highland street.

  1. Alexander, merchant, killed in his store at Avenue J and Twenty-fourth street.
  2. H. Dickerson, bookkeeper, killed in Menthor’s store on South Twentieth street.

Daughter of E. E. Hudson, merchant. [The World notes her name as Carrie Hudson.][13]

Lizzie Glenn, colored.

Carrie Henry, colored.

Lizzie Goodloe, colored.

Carrie Hudson, colored.

Maggie Blevins, colored. J. Myro, colored.

Fannie Steadmire, negro cook for B. D. Hudson.

[unidentified black. The World, NYC. “Twenty Dead in Birmingham…” 3-26-1901, p.1.]

[unidentified black. The World, NYC. “Twenty Dead in Birmingham…” 3-26-1901, p.1.]

Fatally Injured.

“Among the fatally injured are: [2]

Mrs. E. H. Thomas and

Mrs. W. H. Thomas, wife and mother of a prominent real estate agent.

“The storm did its worst damage in the neighborhood of avenues I and J, from Tenth to Thirtieth streets, wrecking scores of buildings and creating terrible havoc. The entire fire and police departments turned out to render aid and are still engaged in taking the dead and injured from the debris and sending them to undertaking shops and hospitals.

“At Pratt City, the roof of the brick high school was blown away and the First Methodist church was wrecked.

“Dozens of negros’ cabins were demolished. The commissary of the Tennessee Coal and Iron company was blown down. Reports of great damage to growing crops and farm houses in the vicinity are reported.

“Brighton and North Birmingham were considerably damaged. At Irondale the extent of the damage is not yet known but it is stated that five stores were demolished in the business district and seven people were killed.” (Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Slain by Tornado. Twenty-Five Persons Dead in Alabama. Storm Sweeps Birmingham…” 3-25-1901, p. 1.)

March 25: “Birmingham, Ala., March 25.–A tornado swept over this city and the whole Jones Valley to-day. Twenty lives were lost, forty persons were severely injured, five fatally, and fully 400 others were hurt…The known dead in Birmingham number fourteen and in Irondale three, and the list will be increased when communication is fully reopened with the twenty towns and villages known to have suffered….

The Fatally Injured.

“Among the fatally injured cared for at the hospital are:

Mrs. W. H. Thomas, wife and mother of prominent real-estate agent.

Mrs. D. D. M’Laughlin.

Mrs. Mylum.

George S. Alexander. [Misidentified — actually a customer, J. C. Chlumpe.] [14]

George Minter.

  1. P. Dixon.

The children of Mrs. Folker and Mrs. Stufder, of Brighton.

Thirty-six colored persons….”

(The World, NYC. “Twenty Dead in Birmingham in Tornado’s Swath.” 3-26-1901, p. 1.)

March 26: “Birmingham, Ala., March 26. — As a result of the fearful tornado that swept over the southern part of this city, the number of killed is estimated at 25, of whom five are white. The destruction of property is placed at $225,000. Eighteen bodies have been recovered and scores of injured have been removed to the hospitals….

“The storm struck the city in the extreme southwestern corner and plowed its way eastward, leaving a path 150 feet wide, through the entire southern section, extending from Green Springs on the west to Avondale on the east, and continued its course until its fury was spent in the mountains beyond Irondale, a small town six miles east of the city.

“The day dawned cloudy and sultry and grew more threatening as the day advanced. The clouds began to gather and shortly after 9 o’clock sharp lightning flashed in the southwest. The air became heavy and stifling. The velocity of the wind suddenly began to increase, and from out of the overcast sky the dreaded funnel-shaped cloud made its appearance. Hugging close to the earth, it passed through the city in leaps and bounds. The altitude of the cyclone was not more than 75 feet. The negro shanties and cottages in the lowlands in the path of the storm were the principal sufferers. The larger residences on the higher ground suffered but slightly. Among the structures demolished was the Second Presbyterian church.

“Bessemer, Pratt City, Ensley, North Birmingham and other suburban towns were visited by the storm, and in each much destruction was wrought but no loss of life is reported. Many houses were demolished at Pratt City, including a number of churches. At Powderly there was also much damage and destruction, and at Cleveland, Mrs. George Hatt was struck by lightning and will probably die.” (Times-Democrat, Lima, OH. “Many Were Killed…Cyclone. Terrific Storm Passed Through Alabama Yesterday. Most…Who Were Killed are Negroes.” 3-26-1901, p. 2.)

March 27: “Birmingham, Ala., March 27. — Under the harmonious working of the state militia and local police force much order has come out of Tuesday’s chaos incident to the fatal storm which swept portions of this city. A careful revision of the death list places the total number of dead in the city at 12, several persons who were missing and had been reported dead having shown up. Two women reported missing at Irondale are believed to be dead under wrecked buildings. If they are dead this will increase the total to 18.

“Following is a full list of the white victims of the tornado in this city:

Dr. Chapman,

Mrs. Robert G. Lowe,

Infant son of Robert G. Lowe,

3-year-old daughter of B. B. Hudson, and

  1. C. Chlumpe, a German. [Not noted in earlier reports.]

 

“The colored victims are:

John Myro,

8-year-old Carrie Henry,

Carrie E. Hudson,

Maggie F. Stedmeyer (schoolgirl),

Lizzie Goodlow,

Lizzie Glenn and

  1. B. Hudson’s cook.

 

“Dead at Irondale:

John Gardner, white;

Mamie and Clarence Hunter, colored, and

Two negro women missing.

“Thirty-five persons were more or less seriously hurt in Birmingham….

“J. Alexander, the merchant reported killed, was only severely injured. He crawled out of the ruins immediately after the storm and managed to reach home. In the ruins a body very much disfigured was found and it was thought to be his, but yesterday it was discovered that the dead man is J. C. Chlumpe, a German, who was in the store making a purchase when the cyclone wrecked it….

“The relief fund raised by the people of Birmingham is growing and has already reached $4,000.[15] Mayor F. Drennen authorizes that statement that the sufferers are not in need of outside contributions. The property loss is placed at $300,000….” (The News, Frederick, MD. “Birmingham’s Tornado. Death List Not So Large as First Reports Indicated. Probably Eighteen Are Dead. 3-27-1901, p. 1.)

 

Sources

City of Irondale. City of Irondale Comprehensive Plan Existing Conditions Report. July 2015. Accessed 3-23-2017 at: http://www.irondaleonthemove.com/uploads/1/4/4/7/14479416/irondale_draftexistingconditionsdocument_20150720_emailsize.pdf

Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Slain by Tornado. Twenty-Five Persons Dead in Alabama. Storm Sweeps Birmingham….Jones Valley Devastated. All Wires Down…” 3-25-1901, p. 1. Accessed 3-23-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-wayne-sentinel-mar-25-1901-p-9/?tag

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

Kazek, Kelly. A History of Alabama’s Deadliest Tornadoes: Disaster in Dixie. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2010. Google digital preview accessed 3-24-2017 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=vXh0CQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Murphy, Robert E. and Collins’ Shoe Store (Birmingham, AL). Illustrated Souvenir of The Birmingham Storm, Monday Morning, March 25, 1901. Birmingham, AL, 1901, 27 pages. Accessed 3-24-2017 at: http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p4017coll6/id/1245

National Weather Service, NOAA. This Day in Weather History: March 25th. (Website). Assessed 3-23-2017 at: http://www.weather.gov/abr/This_Day_in_Weather_History_Mar_25

National Weather Service Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama Tornadoes 1901. (Website) Accessed 3-23-2017 at: https://www.weather.gov/bmx/tornadodb_1901

National Weather Service Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL. Alabama Tornado Database.   NWS/NOAA. Accessed 1-4-2009 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/tornadoes/mainlist2.php

Pratt City Herald, AL. “Two Cyclones…. Birmingham District Swept by Destructive Storms….Fourteen Lives Are Lost.” 3-30-1901, pp. 1 & 8. Accessed 3-23-2017 at: http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/cdm/compoundobject/collection/BrmnghmNP01/id/7619/rec/68

Spencer, Thomas. “Alabama Tornadoes: Deadly tornadoes follow similar path in Jefferson County.” The Birmingham News, 5-22-2011. Accessed 3-23-2017 at: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/05/alabama_tornadoes_deadly_torna.html

Stevens, Welby R. “Tornadoes in Alabama,” Monthly Weather Review, October 1925, pp. 437-443. Accessed at:  http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/053/mwr-053-10-0437.pdf

The News, Frederick, MD. “Birmingham’s Tornado. Death List Not So Large as First Reports Indicated. Probably Eighteen Are Dead. 3-27-1901, p. 1. Accessed 3-23-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/news-mar-27-1901/?tag

The World, NYC. “Twenty Dead in Birmingham in Tornado’s Swath.” 3-26-1901, p. 1. Accessed 3-23-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/world-mar-26-1901/?tag

Times-Democrat, Lima, OH. “Many Were Killed in the Cyclone. Terrific Storm Passed Through Alabama Yesterday. Most of Those Who Were Killed are Negroes. Several Bodies Lost.” 3-26-1901, p. 2. Accessed 3-23-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-times-democrat-mar-26-1901/?tag

 

 

[1] First, on Birmingham: Our own tally relies on Murphy and Collins and their report of 13 Birmingham deaths in their memorial booklet. The names of twelve fatalities can be found in the press. In addition, at least one paper notes two unidentified blacks, and several papers note several to many critically injured. If one or more of these people died, it would seem that Murphy and Collins would have included these deaths in their memorial booklet. Next on Irondale: See our footnote on Irondale below, explaining why we tally three Irondale deaths. Finally, see our footnote on Pratt City to see why we count no fatalities there. Thus the low-end of our range is sixteen. However, in that Grazulis (a reliable source in our opinion), notes 17 total fatalities, the National Weather Service in its “This Day in History” website, notes 20 (as does Spenser in his 2011 “look-back”.) Finally, we cannot ignore the 25 deaths noted by the Birmingham, AL Weather Forecast Office of the National Weather Service. Thus, we rely on this Birmingham NWS WFO figure for the high-end of our tally, even though it is at odds with the total of 17 deaths noted by the same Birmingham NWS WFO at another website address location.

[2] “March 25, 1901. Seventeen deaths, F3, Jefferson County. The final death toll may have been more than twenty people from this tornado that cut through southern Birmingham to Avondale and Irondale.” [Sites the Tornado Project (Tom Grazulis) as the source.]

[3] Notes “Eighteen bodies have been recovered and scores of injured have been removed to the hospitals.”

[4] “The number of known dead in Birmingham numbers fourteen…”

[5] “Number killed — White, 5; colored 8.”

[6] “On the morning of March 25, 1901, Irondale and the Birmingham area were hit by what was reported than as a ‘cyclone,’ but what we now know to be a tornado. According to reports, five people died, in Irondale, many were wounded, and approximately 40 houses and businesses were totally destroyed or badly damaged. Although destruction within Birmingham was extensive, by comparison Irondale saw more devastation to its little community.”

[7] Sources note either 3, 5 or 7 deaths. The World (and other papers we have seen) identifies three deaths. In addition, Murphy and Collins, in their memorial booklet identify three Irondale deaths. While the City of Irondale Comprehensive Plan notes five deaths, it notes that this was “According to reports.” Early newspaper reports from outside the state noting twenty-five deaths, should not be taken as fact without corroboration and detail.

[8] “Irondale…Number killed — White, 1; colored 2.”

[9] Though Spencer writes of four deaths “in the area,” no names are provided, and it is not clear to what extent :the area” extends. The Pratt City newspaper story about the tornado published on March 30 mentions no Pratt City deaths; neither does the Murphy and Collins memorial booklet on the tornado published later that year — instead it specifically notes no deaths in Pratt City. Thus in an effort to be conservative we tally no Pratt City deaths.

[10] There is, under “Newspaper Information,” a link to the Pratt City Herald article referenced. The article notes 14 deaths.

[11] The World notes deaths of “Eight colored persons” in Birmingham, while the Ft. Wayne Sentinel names six.

[12] The text accompanying an image of property destruction is: “Minter’s Store where Dr. G. C. Hapman was Killed.” (Murphy and Collins. Illustrated Souvenir of The Birmingham Storm…March 25, 1901. p. 5.)

[13] Another report notes the death of “3-year-old daughter of B. B. Hudson…” (The News, Frederick, MD. “Birmingham’s Tornado.” 3-27-1901, p. 1.)

[14] Highlighted in yellow to denote that he was later noted as “only seriously injured” not dead. The News, Frederick, MD. “Birmingham’s Tornado.” 3-27-1901, p. 1.)

[15] The Murphy and Collins memorial booklet notes that “Birmingham was equal to the occasion, and during the week just past has secured nearly $10,000 in cash within her own gates.” (Murphy and Collins. Illustrated Souvenir of The Birmingham Storm…March 25, 1901. p. 10.)