1908 — April 23-25, Tornadoes, AL/37-38, AR/6, GA/30, LA/85, MS/<139, NE, TX/8 –324
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-3-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 500 Mobile Sunday Item, AL. “Appalling Grows List: Five States Swept.” 4-26-1908, p.1.[1]
— 324 Grazulis. The Tornado. 2001, p. 230.
— 324 Heidorn, Keith. “Deadly Tornadoes of April 1908.” Weather Almanac (webpage), 2008.
— 320 Enzler. Top 10 of Anthropogenic and Natural Environmental Disasters. 2006.
— 310 Agee. and Asai. Cloud Dynamics: Proceedings of a Symposium Aug, 1981. 1982, p. 202.
— 310 NWS WFO Milwaukee/Sullivan 2005. Famous Large Tornado Outbreaks in…U.S.
— 143 LA to MS Tornado, Apr 24 (Amite, Pine, Purvis). NWS WFO, Milwaukee.
— 143 “ Storm Prediction Center, NOAA. The 25 Deadliest U.S. Tornadoes.
— 143 “ NWS WFO, Paducah KY. NOAA/NWS 1925 Tri-State Tornado. “Gen. Info.”
Summary of Tornado Fatalities by State
Alabama: (37-38) April 24
Arkansas ( 6) April 23
Georgia ( 30) April 24-25
Louisiana: ( 85) April 24
Mississippi: ( 139) April 24
Nebraska ( 4) April 23-24
Tennessee ( 1) April 24
Texas ( 8) April 23
310-311 April 23-25
Unfortunately, our attempt to breakout fatalities by State does not match the description of fatalities by induvial tornado, some of which crossed State lines. We were not able to successfully dissect all tornadoes into individual states.
Breakout of Fatalities by State and Counties following Grazulis
State Day Time Dead Inj. Miles F Counties
AL Apr 24 1440 35 188 105 F4 Walker/Jefferson/Blount/Marshall/Dekalb
AL-GA Apr 24 1910 11 50 16 F4 Cherokee, AL/Polk/Floyd, GA p. 227
AL Apr 24 2100 2 0 4 F4 Lowndes p. 227
AR Apr 23 3 20 F2 Pope p. 238
AR Apr 23 1630 3 F2 Little River/Sevier p. 238
AL-GA Apr 24 1910 11 50 16 F4 Cherokee, AL/Polk/Floyd, GA p. 263
The above line is highlighted in that it is the same line noted in Alabama above
GA Apr 25 0100 10 40 F3 Harris/Meriwether p. 263
GA Apr 25 0130 2 12 2 F2 Muscogee p. 263
GA Apr 25 0230 8 100 15 F2 Spalding/Henry p. 263
TN Apr 24 2200 1 40 10 F3 Bradley p. 317
LA-MS Apr 24 0500 91 400 105 F4 Rapides/Avoyelles/Catahoula/Concordia,
LA / Adams/Jefferson/Claiborne, MS p.324
LA-MS Apr 24 1145 143 155 F4 Livingston/ St. Helena/Tangipahoa/Washington,
LA, Marion/Lamar/Forest/Perry/Wayne, MS
MS:
LA-MS Apr 24 0500 91 400 105 F4 Rapides/Avoyelles/Catahoula/Concordia,
LA / Adams/Jefferson/Claiborne, MS p.346
LA-MS Apr 24 1145 143 155 F4 Livingston/ St. Helena/Tangipahoa/Washington,
LA, Marion/Lamar/Forest/Perry/Wayne, MS
The above line is highlighted in that it is the same line noted in Louisiana above
MS Apr 24 1145 3 10 10 F2 Kemper/Noxubee
MS Apr 24 1445 5 20 25 F2 Forest/Perry Greene
NE Apr 23 1800 3 10 15 F5 Cuming/Thurston p. 370
TX Apr 23 1800 1 6 10 F4 Lamar/Red River p. 434
TX Apr 23 1830 3 6 7 F3 Navarro p. 434
The total of the deaths noted above, by tornado, comes to 324.
Breakout of April 23-25, 1908 Tornado Fatalities by State and Locality
Alabama: (37-38) April 24
— 38 Alabama Tornadoes (3 on Apr 24). NWS WFO Birmingham, AL. AL Tornado Database.
–35 Walker-Jefferson-Blount-Marshall-Dekalb counties F4, 14:40
— 1 Cherokee County F4, 19:20
— 2 Lowndes County F2, 21:00
— 38 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, pp. 713-714.
–35 14:40. Apr 24. Walker, Jefferson, Blount, Marshall, DeKalb counties, p. 713.
— 1 19:10. Apr 24. Bluffton, Cherokee County. Grazulis 1993, p. 714. One man killed.[2]
— 2 21:00 Apr 24. Montgomery, Lowndes County, Grazulis 1993, p. 714.
— 38 National Weather Service, Birmingham, Alabama WFO. Alabama Tornadoes 1908 (web).
–35 Apr 24. Walker-DeKalb counties, NWS, Birmingham, AL Weather Forecast Office.
— 1 Apr 24. Cherokee County. NWS Birmingham, AL Weather Forecast Office
— 2 Apr 24. Lowndes County.
— 37 Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 74.
— 37 Stevens. “Tornadoes in Alabama,” Monthly Weather Review, October 1925, p. 439.
–35 Apr 24. Walker, Jefferson, Blount, Marshall, DeKalb counties. Stevens 1925, p.439.
— 2 Apr 24. Lowndes County. Stevens 1925, p. 439.
–Does not note any Bluffton, Cherokee County deaths. Nor does Coosa River News.
Arkansas ( 6)
— 3 Apr 23. Little River Co., near Forman; 16:30 F2. Farmer, wife, child. Grazulis 1993, p. 713.
— 3 Apr 23. Pope County, Hector, 19:08 F2 Grazulis 1993, p. 713.
Georgia ( 30) April 24-25
–10 Apr 24, Polk and Floyd Counties. (Grazulis 1993, 714)
–10 Bluffton [AL]-Cave Springs [Floyd Co., GA] NWS. Birmingham, AL WFO. Database
–7 Cave Springs
–3 Hematie
–10 Apr 25, Harris and Meriwether Counties. (Grazulis 1993, 714)
–10 Chipley-Greenville tornado. Chipley Historical Center. “Tornado Hits Chipley…”
–9 Chipley, Harris and Meriwether counties
–1 Between Chipley and Greenville (Meriwether County).
–02 Apr 25, Muscogee County, Columbus area; mother and child (Grazulis 1993, 714)
–08 Apr 25, Spalding and Henry Counties. (Grazulis 1993, 714)
–7 Griffin, area west of; mill hands in “poorly constructed homes.
–1 Locust Grove, south of McDonough.
Louisiana: ( 85) April 24
— 39 Rapides, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia Parishes, 05:00 Apr 24. Grazulis 1993, 713.
— 2 Catahoula Parish, New Era (north of), 05:00 event, Apr 24. Grazulis 1993, 713.
–30 Concordia Parish, 05:00 event, Apr 24. Grazulis 1993, 713.
— 3 Rapides Parish, Lamourie (1m N of), 05:00 even Apr 24. Grazulis 1993, 713.
— 4 Rapides Parish (presumably), Ruby, 05:00 even, Apr 24. Grazulis 1993, 713.
— 46 Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington Par., 11:45 Apr 24, Grazulis 1993, 713.
“ Grazulis. Descriptions of…Top 10 US Killer Tornadoes #7: Amite/ Pine/ Purvis Tornado
— 2 Livingston Parish (presumably), Dennis Springs, 11:45 event. Grazulis 1993, 713.
— 2 St. Helena Parish, ~Montpelier, 11:45 event, Apr 24. Grazulis 1993, 713.
–29 Tangipahoa Parish, Amite, 11:45 even, Apr 24. Grazulis 1993, 713.
— 4 “ ~Wilmer. 11:45 even, Apr 24. Grazulis 1993, 713.
— 9 Washington Parish, ~Pine. 11:45 even, Apr 24. Grazulis 1993, 713.
Mississippi: (139) April 24
–155 Statewide. Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 74.[3]
–139 Statewide, April 24. Grazulis 1993, 712-714.
–51 05:00 F4. Adams, Jefferson, Claiborne Counties Grazulis 1993, 713.
–30 Adams County, Pine Ridge (near), 05:00 event. Grazulis 1993, 713.
–21 Jefferson Co., Church Hill Area, south of Lorman Grazulis 1993, 713.
— 3 11:45 F2. Kemper (Wahalak) and Noxubee Counties. Grazulis 1993, 713.
–80 11:45 Marion, Lamar, Forest, Perry, Wayne Counties Grazulis 1993, 713.
— 4 Forest County, 8 miles south of Hattiesburg Grazulis 1993, p. 713.
–60 Lamar County, 11:45 F4 Grazulis 1993, p. 713.
–55 Purvis, Lamar County Grazulis 1993, p. 713.
— 2 Marion County Grazulis 1993, p. 713.
–14 Perry County, SW of Richton, 7 each in two families. Grazulis 1993, p. 713.
— 5 14:45 F2. Forest, Perry, Greene Counties. Grazulis 1993, p. 714.
— 80 Grazulis. Descriptions…Top 10 US Killer Tornadoes #7: Amite/ Pine/ Purvis Tornado
–~48 Purvis, Lamar Co.. NWS Birmingham, AL Weather Forecast Office. The Dixie…
Nebraska ( 4) April 23-24
–1 Cuming Co. (Mangleson baby). Daily Chronicle. Marshall. “Homes Demolished” 4-24-1908
–3 Thurston Co., Pender, Apr 23, 18:00. Grazulis 1903, 713.
Tennessee ( 1) April 24
–1 Bradley County. Elderly man killed. Grazulis 1903, 714.
Texas ( 8) April 23
–1 Lamar/Red River Co’s., Deport. Daily Chronicle. Marshall. “Homes Demolished” 4-24-1908
–1 “ Apr 23, 18:00 event. Grazulis 1993, 713.
–3 Navarro Co., Rice. Daily Chronicle. Marshall. “Homes Demolished” 4-24-1908.
–3 “ “ Apr 23, 18:30 event. Grazulis 1993, 713.
–4 Wood County.[4] Apr 23, 18:30 event Grazulis 1993, 713.
Narrative Information General
Grazulis, 2001: “The year 1908 marked the beginning of a twenty-nine period of what might be called a tornadic reign of terror in the United States. The era began on April 24 with an outbreak that took 324 lives across Louisiana and Mississippi. The period ended abruptly in 1936, after more than 200 people died in each of two tornadoes on consecutive days.” (Grazulis 2001, 230)
National Weather Service, Birmingham, Alabama Weather Forecast Office. The Dixie…:
“At least 34 tornadoes touched down generally east of the Mississippi River from April 23 through April 26, 1908. These tornadoes generally occurred from Texas to Georgia, then northward from Oklahoma to Tennessee. The violent storms killed at least 320 people and injured over a thousand citizens. One of the hardest hit communities was Purvis, Mississippi, where the town was completely leveled and 55 citizens lost their lives.
“At least four tornadoes touched down in Alabama during this outbreak of severe weather. These tornadoes were responsible for approximately 48 fatalities and at least 260 injuries.” (National Weather Service, Birmingham, Alabama Weather Forecast Office. The Dixie Tornado Outbreak – April 24, 1908 (webpage).)
Newspapers – General — Chronological
Apr 24, Las Vegas Daily Optic: “Memphis, April 24. – A tornado swept over Walls, Miss., at 2 o’clock this morning and it is reported the town was destroyed. Three people are reported killed. Telegraph and telephone wires are down. A relief train has been sent from Memphis.
“At the Memphis office of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley road it is reported several persons were killed at Walls.
“At Mason, Tenn., the Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal churches and several residences were blown down. In Memphis the wind reached a velocity of sixty miles, uprooting trees, blowing down telegraph and telephone wires and blowing in plate glass windows.
“Omaha, April 24. – Reports from the scene of last night’s tornado in northern Nebraska show thirty-two buildings destroyed and over a hundred head of livestock killed. At least fourteen persons are injured. Some seriously.
“New Orleans, April 24. – Railroad officials have received reports of a tornado which swept across Rapids parish in the neighborhood of the Louisiana Railroad & Navigation company’s line today…” (Las Vegas Daily Optic, East Las Vegas, NM. “Tow is Wiped Out by Terrible Night Storm.” 4-24-1908, 1.)
Apr 25, Fort Wayne News: “New Orleans, April 25. A ripping; death-dealing tornado tore its way through Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee yesterday, and when reports began coming into New Orleans today it was learned that 250 persons are dead and more than 500 are injured….
“The tornado started in central Louisiana and swept everything to the Georgia line. Another disturbance followed, leaving death and ruin in its wake. Homes and other buildings were tossed about in the air like so many feathers in a gust of wind….Amite, a small town in Louisiana, was the first town in the path of the tornado. Fifty persons are dead and the town completely wiped out. Physicians from other towns are caring for the wounded, many of whom will die.
“Arcadia and Independence, in Louisiana, are partially wrecked. Belle Grove, Melton, Logan, Pine Ridge, Quitman Landing, Fairchild Creek and Purvis are badly damaged and many are dead in those towns. Bergen, Ala. Suffered great loss, many were killed and fifty person injured. Two trains were blown from the tracks at Bergen and considerable property damage was done in the heart of the town.” (Fort Wayne News. April 25, 1908, p. 1)
Apr 25, Hearst News Service: “Atlanta, Ga., April 25. – A tornado sweeping over the southeaster states, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee Friday and Saturday morning left in it’s wake greater destruction of life and property than has ever been experienced in this territory in the same cause before. It is estimated from the latest reports that nearly 500 people lost their lives and over 2,000 were injured. Reports continue to come in of loss of life and devastation of property as wire communication is being re-established. Telegraph and telephone wires have been prostrated in every direction, many washouts have occurred, and it will be many days before traffic resumes its normal volume and speed.
“The scene of the worst disaster that has yet come to light was at Purvis, Miss., where eighty are reported dead and practically the entire town wiped out.
“At Chipley, Ga., eight are dead and scores are injured, and half the business section, including the depot and two large warehouses were swept away.
“At Cave Springs, Ga., near Cedartown, nine are dead and it is believed the list of injured will number more than fifty. There was no great destruction of property here.
“Columbus, Ga., reports twelve dead in that vicinity with scores of injured. In Georgia the storm also touched McDonough, Harris City and Locust Grove, each place reporting deaths and injuries. Many other Georgia towns suffered severe property loss, and people were injured, but no lives are reported lost.
“In Alabama the storm struck late in the afternoon at Albertville, leaving in that vicinity one dead and fifty injured. At High Mound, Ala, five are dead, four at Harton; four at Leesburg, and three dead and 21 injured in about thirty miles from Albertville.
“At Amite City, La., 15 are dead and many injured, while 75 are reported killed and many injured in the surrounding county [90]. [Grazulis notes 85 deaths in all of Louisiana.]
“At Cleveland, Tenn., one is dead and eight injured.
“Reports from Fort Deposit, Ala., report the town practically wiped out. The fatalities here are as yet unknown.
“At McCallum, Miss., twelve are dead, with scores injured. The list of dead in and around Natchez, Miss., will reach 71, and the number of injured over two hundred. Near McLaurin three are reported dead and several injured.
“Dallas, Tex., reports a second cyclone swept over that state, demolishing houses and leaving four dead and many injured already reported. When communication is re-established it is almost certain that more fatalities will come to light. Mineola, Daingerfield and Oak Grove, Rex., suffered severely.
“Locally, while the storm was more severe than has been experience in many years, there was no loss of life nor any serious injury. The damage in this city will aggregate $50,000.” (Hearst News Service. “Appalling Grows List: Five States Swept. Conservative Estimate of Deaths Placed at 500…” Mobile Sunday Item, 4-26-1908, p. 1.)
Alabama
May 1, Coosa River News: “Bluffton, Ala., April 27. – On Friday night [Apr 24] our town was visited by an awful cyclone, blowing down trees and destroying many homes. The cyclone struck Bluffton just a few minutes past seven o’clock. It blew down the homes of six families, leaving them homeless and at the mercy of the storm. Mr. Ben Garmon’s home was completely destroyed and he was seriously injured and every member of his family was slightly injured, also the homes of Messrs. Oliver Chandler, Jim Chandler, Henry Donaldson and Ike Tanner. Their homes were completely blown to pieces. Mr. Donaldson was the only one of the 5 families that any of the household goods were saved.
“The cyclone struck Mr. Ben Garmon’s home first and destroyed everything he had and leaving them without clothes, and almost taking the life of Mr. Garmon. Then the cyclone came sweeping down the valley taking everything as it went. The barn of Robt. Garmon was blown to pieces, but all the stock escaped and only one horse was injured. Also his store was blown to the ground, but he saved a small part of the large stock of goods he carried.
“The depot was completely destroyed. The cyclone passed just a few feet above Robt. Garmon’s home. The only damage done to his home was a large tree blown down across the front veranda.
“The people that are left without homes are in a bad condition.
“The storm made a clear sweep of the business portion of our little town, leaving nothing but pieces of boards to remind the people of places they once called homes.
“The people at the hotel knew they were having a hard storm, but they had no idea a cyclone was passing through and taking the homes of their friends and almost taking the life of some, until some of the wounded came to some of them to be cared for. It was the saddest sight the reporter ever experienced, seeing gloom and sadness cast over the little town of Bluffton today.
“Sunday our town was full of people from all parts of the County, coming to view the ruins of the cyclone…” (Coosa River News, Centre, AL. “Storm at Bluffton.” 5-1-1908, p. 1.”
Arkansas
Grazulis: “AR APR 23, 1908 1630 3k…11mi F2 LITTLE RIVER/SEVIER–Moved NNE from 3m W of Foreman to 11M S of DeQueen. A farmer, his wife and a child were killed as their home was “blown away” near the start of the path. There was a shower of leaves and twigs at DeQueen….
“AR APR 23, 1908 3k 20inj…F2 POPE — Three people were killed and 20 more were injured at Hector. The entire town was damaged or destroyed.” (Grazulis 1993 713.)
Georgia
Chipley Historical Center, Pine Mountain, GA. “Tornado Hits Chipley – April 25, 1908.”:
“When the tornado hit, it destroyed most of the town and killed at least 10 people between Chipley and Greenville – 9 in Chipley. A few structures remained intact, but not many. Still the town rebuilt. The tornado was part of a series of at least 29 tornados over 3 days (April 23,24,25) in 13 states. The tornado that hit Chipley was the most destructive of the 7 that hit Georgia on this date. 40 homes, 4 churches and a hotel were destroyed in Chipley. It was ranked as an F3 tornado.
“The 1908 Dixie Outbreak is tied with the April, 2011 Super Outbreak for the 4th deadliest continuous tornado outbreak in American history.”
Louisiana
Grazulis: “LA-MS APR 24, 1908 0500 91k 400inj 700y f105m F4 Rapides/Avoyelles/Catahoula/ Concordia, LA….This devastating tornado touched down lm N of Lamourie, killed three people in one family at “Richland,” and killed four more at Ruby. Moving ENE across the NW edge of Avoyelles Parish, it injured 25 people between Effie and Center Point. In extreme southern Catahoula Parish, two people were killed north of New Era. Complete destruction of plantations began in Concordia Parish, and 30 more people were killed, mostly in tenant homes. At least 39 people died in Louisiana….
“LA-MS APR 24, 1908 1145 143k 770inj 1000y f155m F4 LIVINGSTON / ST.HELENA / TANGIPAHOA / WASHINGTON, LA /MARION /LAMAR /FOREST /PERRY/ WAYNE, MS — This major tomadic event touched down near “Weiss,” in NW Livingston Parish, and moved ENE. Two people were killed at “Dennis Springs.” In St. Helena Parish, two were killed near Montpelier. The worst damage in Louisiana took place at Amite, Tangipahoa Parish, where the path was said to have been over two miles wide. At least 29 people were killed in the town of Amite, and four others died south of Wilmer. Eleven people were injured in the Aurora-Franklinton area of Washington Parish, and nine people were killed near Pine.” (Grazulis 1993, 713.)
Mississippi
Grazulis: “….The funnel crossed the Mississippi River into Mississippi at Giles Bend, north of Vidalia. It passed north of Natchez, killing 30 people and injuring 200 others on plantations near Pine Ridge. This area along the Mississippi River resembled a “deserted battlefield,” with several antebellum mansions literally “dismantled.” Twenty-one people were killed, mostly in frail plantation tenant homes, in the Church Hill area, south of Lorman, Jefferson County. Eighty-two others were injured. Four injuries were recorded as the tornado dissipated near Tillman, Claiborne County. The injury total may only be those who were seriously hurt….
“MS APR 24, 1908 1145 3k 10inj…10m F2 KEMPER/NOXUBEE — Moved NE, passing north of Wahalak and 5m S of Shuqualak. A woman and a child were killed in
one of three small homes that were swept away near Wahalak.” (Grazulis 1993, 713.)
2008: “Excerpt from “The Tornado Project” (credit to Thomas Grazulis) — “This major tornadic event touched down near “Weiss” in NW Livingston Parish, and moved ENE. Two people were killed at “Dennis Springs”. In St. Helena Parish, two were killed near Montpelier. The worst damage in Louisiana took place in Amite, Tangipahoa Parish, where the path was said to have been over two miles wide. At least 29 people were killed in the town of Amite, and four others died south of Wilmer. Eleven people were injured in the Aurora-Franklinton area of Washington Parish, and nine people were killed near Pine. Crossing into Mississippi near Balltown, the tornado killed two people in Marion County…continuing onward into Forest County 8 miles south of Hattiesburg.” Fifty-five people were killed in the town of Purvis as most of the town was leveled to the ground. In all 143 people were killed and 770 injured making this the seventh deadliest tornado event in United States history.” (NWS, Top Weather Events…20th Cent…NWSFO New Orleans/Baton Rouge…Area, 2008.)
Nebraska
Grazulis: “NE APR 23, 1908 1800 3k 10inj 400y 15m F5 CUMING/THURSTON–Moved NNE from 6m SW of Pender, passing west of that town, to 3m N of Thurston. Several farms were devastated. The three deaths occurred as all buildings, including a well-built two-story home, were swept away at a “prosperous” farm near Pender. A photograph from one farm fell to the ground in a “shower of shingles” at Goodwin, 35 miles away.” (Grazulis 1993, 713.)
Apr 24, Daily Chronicle: “Bancroft, Neb., April 24. – A tornado has passed over the country twenty miles north and nine miles west of here, causing the death of a baby girl, aged one year, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mangleson, residing in Cuming county. Mr. Mangleson was dangerously injured. Not a board of their dwelling was left and every building on the place was swept away. The residence of Richard Waacker, a mile from the Mangleson home, and the Glover place were also demolished. About a mile further north, the storm struck the houses of Henry Grissman and Henry Schaffer, entirely destroying them. Chickens, hogs and cattle and horses were killed and maimed throughout the entire path of the storm. (Daily Chronicle, Marshall, MI. “Homes Demolished. People…Killed….” 4-24-1908, 1.)
South Dakota
Apr 24, Daily Chronicle: “Sioux Falls, S.D., April 24. – Information received in this city is to the effect that a tornado had struck Valley Springs, about twenty-five miles east of Sioux Falls and demolished about thirty buildings. Nothing further has been heard, as communication has been cut off with Valley Springs.” (Daily Chronicle, Marshall, MI. “Homes Demolished. People… Killed….” 4-24-1908, 1.)
Texas
Grazulis: “TX APR 23, 1908 1800 lk 6inj 300y 10m F4 LAMAR/RED RIVER–The businesses in the center of Deport, and 25 homes on the east side of town were devastated. The approaching funnel was seen by almost everyone in town, as it moved NE. One man, the town druggist, died as his home was destroyed. The rest of his family made it to shelter. House debris was scattered for two miles. Four people were injured lm W of Fulbright. Damage totaled about $125,000.
“TX APR 23, 1908 1830 3k 6inj 150y 7m F3 NAVARRO — The funnel, moving NE, passed 2m S of Rice and was reported to be a half-mile wide. The manager’s home on the Thompson farm, 6m SW of Rice, was destroyed along with 14 tenant houses, and all of the barns. Three people were killed in one of the tenant homes. Along the path, a half- dozen other farm homes were damaged or destroyed. Four additional deaths in Wood County could not be confirmed as tornadic, although they may well have been.” (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 713.)
Apr 24, Daily Chronicle: “Paris, Tex., April 24. – About 6 o’clock in the evening a tornado destroyed the eastern portion of Deport, a town twenty miles southeast of Paris, killing W.R. Isbell, a druggist, and injuring several others. The Isbell family was at supper when the storm came, and Mr. Isbell and the children ran to the storm-house and were unhurt. Mr. Isbell remained in the house and was crushed to death when it fell. Practically all the residences on the east side of town were destroyed, at least twenty-five or thirty being scattered over the country in fragments. The Baptist and Presbyterian churches were destroyed. The cotton oil mill, including the boiler house, seed and sheds were blown away, the entire building being a wreck.”
Apr 24, Daily Chronicle: “Ennis, Tex., April 24. – According to meagre reports received here, a storm in the neighborhood of Rice, ten miles south of this place, killed three negroes and injured three white persons names Reeves. Several houses were blown away. The telephone connections south of here are lost, and no communication can be had.” (Daily Chronicle, Marshall, MI. “Homes Demolished. People…Killed….” 4-24-1908, p. 1.)
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[1] Not using in out tally. Death toll was not known at this time. Thus there is some speculation in this article.
[2] The Coosa River News, AL. article on the “Storm at Bluffton,” of 5-1-1908 does not note any deaths but does note that Mr. Ben Garmon was “seriously injured” when his home was destroyed. Perhaps he died afterwards.
[3] We do not use this number in our tally. There was no breakout by state or tornado, nor explanation. And, this number is not in keeping with death-tolls put forth by Grazulis and the National Weather Service.
[4] Grazulis notes these deaths in his Navarro County listing but does not count them in his listing of tornado deaths in that they “could not be confirmed as tornadic, although they many well have been.” We are not as fastidious in that tornadoes are spawned by storm systems which also spawn other death-dealing phenomena such as strong straight-line winds and downbursts. Our primary concern is disaster fatalities.