1913 — March 23-27, Ohio Valley Flooding and Dam/levee failures, esp. OH & IN –593-670

—       5,000  Philadelphia Inquirer. “5000 Reported Drowned in Flood at Dayton, Ohio. 3-26-1913, 1.[1]

–300-1,000  Williams. Washed Away…the Great Flood of 1913… 2013, Author’s Note.[2]

—        >900  Bell. “Forgotten Waters: Indiana’s Great Easter Flood of 1913.” 2006.[3]

—          732  Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. EM DAT Database.[4]

—          732  Estherville Democrat, IA. “Storms and Floods Since 1421,” Oct 6, 1926, p. 12.

—          732  New York Times. “Former Floods Have Cost Many Lives.” June 5, 1921.[5]

—          730  New York Times. “Former Floods Have Cost Many Lives.” June 5, 1921.

—          700  Epic Disasters. “The Deadliest US Floods.”

—   593-670  Blanchard tally from State and locality breakouts (where noted).

—          650  Denning. “Blast From Piqua’s Past: The Great 1913 Flood.” 3-24-2017.[6]

—        >500  IN & OH. Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. “Indiana and Ohio Dead…” 3-30-1913, 1.

—          481  IN & OH. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Latest Investigation…the Dead.” 3-30-1913, 28.

 

Summary of State Breakouts Below

 

Alabama        (           ?)

Arkansas        (           ?)

Illinois            (           ?)

Indiana           (102-105) 

Kentucky       (           1)

Louisiana       (         11)

Maryland       (           ?)

Michigan        (           ?)

Mississippi     (         >2)

Missouri         (           3)

New York       (           3)

Ohio                (467-541) 

Pennsylvania (           2)

Tennessee       (           ?)

West Virginia (         >2)

Wisconsin      (           ?)          Total:              591-668

 

Breakout of Flood Fatalities by State and Locality (where noted):

 

Alabama        (       ?)

–?  Northern AL. Horton/Jackson (USGS) map of geographic extent of rainfall, plate III, after p. 20.

 

Arkansas        (           ?)

–?  Wikipedia notes flood deaths in 13 States, including Arkansas.[7]

 

Illinois            (           ?)

–?  State. Wikipedia (“Great Flood of 1913”) writes that IL was one of 13 states with flood deaths.[8]

–?  Cairo. Horton and Jackson (1913, p. 19) note destructive flooding on Ohio down to Cairo.

–?  Mount Carmel. “People at Carmel and Mt. Carmel leave homes for high lands.”[9]

 

Indiana           (102-105)[10]  (especially Peru and Howesville)

—  >1,000  UP, Indianapolis. “The First Report To-day.” Fayetteville Daily, AR, 3-26-1913, p.1.[11]

—       200  Clendenon. “Flooding and Flood Control.” P. 582 in Bodenhamer.[12]

—       200  Ksander, Yael. “100 Year Flood.” Moment of Indiana History:  8-4-2008.[13]

–100-200  Mitchell. “Washed away: How the Great Flood of 1913 devastated Indiana.” 3-22-2019.[14]

–102-105 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

—       100  Fort Wayne News, IN. “Order Coming Out of Chaos…Flood…” 3-29-1913, p. 1.[15]

—     <100  Penner. “Indiana flood of 1913 remembered.” Indianapolis Star, IN. 3-24-2013.[16]

—         63  Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

—         60  Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.

Breakout of Indiana Flood Fatalities by Locality (where noted):

—       2  Bartholomew Co. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Results of…Floods…[IN].” 3-28-1913, 4.[17]

–15-16  Brookville.

–16  Franklin County Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of…Dead.” 3-30-1913, 23.

–16  Named known dead. Freeburg Tribune, IL. “List of known dead…” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

–15  Midwestern Regional Climate Center. The Great Flood of 1913. “…Brookville…”

—     9  Brown County. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Results of Wind and Floods in Indiana.” 3-28-1913, 4.[18]

—     5  Cedar Grove. Franklin Co. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Results…Floods in [IN].” 3-28-1913, 4.

—     2  Columbus. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Fatality Lists Grow as Wires Bring….” 3-28-1913, 4.[19]

—     1  East Mt. Carmel.  Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p23.

— 6-7  Fort Wayne. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.

—  7  Indianapolis Star, IN. “Results of Wind and Floods in Indiana.” 3-28-1913, 4.

—  6  Fort Wayne News, IN. “Six Known Fatalities.” 3-27-1913, p. 1.

—  6  Midwestern Regional Climate Center. The Great Flood of 1913. “…Fort Wayne…”[20]

—  5  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Fort Wayne Begins Work…” 3-30-1913, p. 1-2.

–1  Alice Madden, 14, orphan. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Fort Wayne…” 3-30-1913, 1.[21]

–1  Willie Singer, 4.                           “

–1  Herbert Snow, a laborer on rescue mission when his boat capsized.             “

–1  Kitty Wise, 7, orphan                   “

–1  Ardah Woods, 15, orphan girl.    “

—  1          Indianapolis Star, IN.  “Four Lost Life in State Flood…” 3-26-1913, p. 4.

—    3  Frankfort.     Blanchard tally from below:

–2  Ray & Roscoe Rothenberger. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, 23.[22]

–1  Wallace Garrison; at washed out Wildcat Creek bridge.[23]

—  16  Howesville.      Indianapolis Star, IN. “Sixteen Are Drowned…Howesville.” 3-28-1913, 4

–3-5  Indianapolis.

—<25 (“as many as”)  Clendenon. “Flooding and Flood Control.” P. 582 in Bodenhamer.[24]

—    5  Known fatalities. Midwestern Regional Climate Center. The Great Flood of 1913.[25]

—    3  March 24. Journal-Tribune, Logansport. “Whole State is Griped…” 3-25-1913, 2.[26]

–1-3  Lafayette.          Range from sources cited below.

–3  Lafayette. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Lafayette, [IN].”[27]

–1  Lafayette.  Indianapolis Star, IN.  “Four Lost Life in State Flood…” 3-26-1913, 4.

–1  Lafayette. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.

—      1  Lawrenceville. History of Dearborn County, Indiana: Her People… 1915, pp. 498-504.

—   0-2  Logansport.    Range shown from two sources.

–2  Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

–1  Logansport. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.

–0       “          MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community…Logansport, Indiana”

—   0-1  Muncie.          Range from sources below

–1  Muncie.    Indianapolis Star, IN.  “Four Lost Life in State Flood…” 3-26-1913, 4.

–1  Muncie.    Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.

–0  Muncie.    MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Muncie, [IN].”

—       1  Newcastle.     Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.[28]

–11-20  Peru               Range show from three sources, not including the United Press.

–500  Peru.     UP. “The First Report To-day.” Fayetteville Daily, AR, 3-26-1913, p. 1.

—  20  Peru.                 Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.

—  20  Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p9.

—  17  Named Peru fatalities. Freeburg Tribune, IL. “List of Known Dead…” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

—  11  Peru.     Indianapolis Star, IN. “Fatality Lists Grow as Wires Bring…” 3-28-1913, 4.

—  11  Peru.     MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Peru, Indiana.”[29]

–2  Roma May, 26; boat was capsized by woman (drowned) after 122 rescues.[30]

—    1  Rushville.         Indianapolis Star, IN.  “Four Lost Life in State Flood…” 3-26-1913, 4.

–1  Rushville. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.

—    1  Shelburn. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Latest Investigation Indicates the Dead.” 3-30-1913, 28.

—    1  Skelton. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Fatality Lists Grow as Wires Bring Details.” 3-28-1913, 4

–1  Skelton.    Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.

–0-4  Terre Haute.      Range from sources below.

–4  Terre Haute. Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p.23.

–4  Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

–0  Terre Haute. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community…Terre Haute [IN].”[31]

—   4  Washington.      Indianapolis Star, IN. “Revised List of Indiana Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 23.

—   2  West Indianapolis. Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p.9.

 

Kentucky       (   1)

–?  KY. State of Indiana, Dept. of Natural Resources. Indiana Underwater: The Flood of 1913.[32]

–?  Catlettsburg.[33]

–?  Covington. “…badly flooded.” According to March 31 newspaper article.[34]

–?  Maysville. “…destructively high stages during this flood on…main stream…to Maysville, Ky.”[35]

–?  Newport. “…badly flooded.” According to March 31 newspaper article.[36]

–1  Paducah, April 8. Gus Gott of Pittsburgh, employee of IL Central RR; boat capsized.[37]

 

Louisiana       (11)

–11  UP. “Nine Parishes Made an In-Land Sea.” Fayetteville Daily, AR. 4-29-1913, p. 1.[38]

—  ?  Wikipedia notes flood deaths in 13 States, including Louisiana.

 

Maryland       (   ?)

–?  Wikipedia notes flood deaths in 13 States, including Maryland.[39]

 

Michigan        (  ?)

–?  Wikipedia notes flood deaths in 13 States, including Michigan. We have not located such deaths.[40]

 

Mississippi     ( >2)   

–2  Woodlawn levee breaks, April 21. Elderly man and a boy living near embankment drown.[41]

 

Missouri         (   3)

—  3  State.  Fort Wayne News, IN. “The First Deaths.” 4-3-1913, p. 19.

 

New York       (   3)

–2  Glens Falls, March 27. “…bridge…swept away…two persons are said to have…drowned.”[42]

–1  Hornell. Russell. Story of the Great Flood and Cyclone Disasters in New York State. 1913.

 

Ohio                (467-541) [43]   (especially Dayton, Columbus, Hamilton)

–486-541  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

–494-519  Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

—     >500  Red Cross report, April 11, 1913.[44]

–472-500  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, 2.[45]

–466-500  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.[46]

–422-470  Denning. “Blast From Piqua’s Past: The Great 1913 Flood.” 3-24-2017.

—       467  Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book, 2004, p. 127.

—       467  Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 57.

—       467  National Climatic Center. “Losses in Individual Severe Floods…Since…1902, p. 122.

—       467  NWS Weather Forecast Office Dodge City, KS. Today’s Weather Trivia.  11-1-2005.

—       467  Ohio Historical Society. “March 23-27. 1913, Statewide Flood.”

—       467  Perry (USGS). Significant Floods in the United State…the 20^th Century 2000.

—       467  Powell. “The Great Dayton Flood of 1913.” Dayton Daily News, OH, 3-25-2019.

—       467  Schmidlin and Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland. 1996, p. 172.

—       460  The Survey, “In the Wake of the Flood,” Vol. XXX, No. 2, April 12, 1913, p. 53.

—       421  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN. “Latest Investigation…Dead in Ohio…” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

Breakout of Ohio Flood Fatalities by Locality (where noted):

—    0-5  Akron.        Range from sources below.

–5  Akron.   Francis and Francis. Images of America: Akron. 2004, p. 73.

–0  Akron. “None known.” MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community…Akron…”

—       3  Brinkhaven. Harry, telegraph operator, wife and child.[47]

—       1  Canton. Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

–18-22  Chillicothe

–22  Columbus Dispatch, OH. “Photos: 1913 Flood.” 7-10-2018.

–18  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN. “Latest Investigation…Dead in Ohio…” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

–18  MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Chillicothe, Ohio.”

–15  Chillicothe, as of March 29.[48]

–15  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.

—       1  Cincinnati. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Cincinnati, Ohio.”

—    0-2  Cleveland.  Range from sources below.

–2  Cleveland, as of March 29.[49]

–0  Cleveland. “None known.” MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “…Cleveland, Ohio.”

–92-101  Columbus.  Range from sources below.[50]

–138  List of named fatalities. Freeburg Tribune, IL. “List of Known Dead in Flood Districts.” 4-4-1913, 9.

–101  Columbus. Bodies recovered as of March 30 newspaper report.[51]

–100  Ohio Historical Society, “March 23-27, 1913, Statewide Flood.”

–100  UP, Columbus. “The Conditions are Worse at Columbus.” Fayetteville Daily, AR, 3-27-1913, 1.

—  93  Columbus Dispatch, OH. “Photos: 1913 Flood.” 7-10-2018.

—  93  Known dead. ThisWeekNews.com. “1913 flood changed Columbus.” 3-26-2013.

—  92  Columbus. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Columbus…”

—  87  Columbus. Red Cross report.[52]

—  64  Bodies recovered as of March 29.[53]

—  64  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.

—  56  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN. “Latest Investigation…Dead in Ohio…” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

—         5  Coshocton, as of March 29.[54]

—   ~123  Dayton (Using Ohio Historical Society and MRCC numbers.)

–150  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, 1.

–150  Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p9.

–150  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.

–123 (“roughly”). Dayton. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community…Dayton…”

–123  Dayton. Ohio Historical Society, “March 23-27, 1913, Statewide Flood.”

—  92  Coroner’s report, “but some bodies were never recovered.[55]

—  90  Bodies recovered as of March 30 report.[56]

—      18  Delaware. Relying on Midwestern Regional Climate Center number.

–20  Logansport Pharos, IN. “1,600 Drowned in Dayton, O., Report.” 3-25-1913, 1.[57]

–18  Columbus Dispatch, OH. “Photos: 1913 Flood.” 7-10-2018.

–18  MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Delaware, Ohio.”

–14  Bodies recovered as of March 29.[58]

–14  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.

—     1-2  Findlay.

–2  Findlay. Frank McGowan, policeman; Frank Henderson.[59]

–1  Findlay. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Findlay, Ohio.”[60]

—         4  Franklin, as of March 29.[61]

—   3-14  Fremont.  Range from sources below.

–14  Fremont, as of March 29.[62]

—  5  Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

—  3  Fremont. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Fremont, Ohio.”

—         1  Globe Center, as of March 29.[63]

—     100  Hamilton. (Relying on Ohio Historical Society and the Midwestern Climate Center.

–1,000  Philadelphia Inquirer. “5000 Reported Drowned in Flood at Dayton, Ohio.” 3-26-1913, 1.[64]

— >100  MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Hamilton, Ohio.”[65]

— ~100  Hamilton. Ohio Historical Society, “March 23-27, 1913, Statewide Flood.”[66]

—     91  Bodies recovered as of March 29.[67]

—     91  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.

—     73  Named fatalities from Hamilton in “List of Known Dead in Flood Districts.”[68]

—     50  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN. “Latest Investigation…Dead in Ohio…” 3-30-1913, 1.

—     12  Harrison, as of March 29.[69]

—       1  Loudonville, as of March 29.[70]

—     >4  Loveland. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Loveland…Ohio.”

—       1  Mansfield, as of March 29.[71]

—    0-5  Massillon. Range from sources below.

–5  Massillon. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN. “Latest…Dead in Ohio…” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

–0  Massillon (none listed under “Know Fatalities”). MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913.

—     15  Miamisburg, as of March 29.[72]

–15  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.

— ~6-9  Middletown area.

–9  Middletown, as of March 29.[73]

–6  Middletown. “Known Fatalities: None within the city; possibly 6 in surrounding area.”[74]

—     14  Milltown. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN. “Latest…Dead in Ohio…” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

—     10  Mount Vernon, as of March 29.[75]

–10  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.

—       2  New Bethlehem, as of March 29.[76]

—       1  Newark. Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

—     44  Piqua. Relying on Denning and Midwestern Regional Climate Center numbers.

–540  Philadelphia Inquirer. “5000 Reported Drowned in Flood at Dayton, Ohio. 3-26-1913, 1.[77]

—  44  Denning. “Blast From Piqua’s Past: The Great 1913 Flood.” 3-24-2017.[78]

—  44  MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Piqua, Ohio.”

—  32  Named known dead at Piqua. Freeburg Tribune, IL. “List of…” 4-13-1913, p. 9.

–<25  As of March 30 newspaper.[79]

—  13  As of March 29.[80]

—  13  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.

—  12  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Latest Investigation…Dead in Ohio…” 3-30-1913, 1.

–19-20 Tiffin. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Tiffin, Ohio.”[81]

–19  Tiffin. Ohio Historical Society, “March 23-27, 1913, Statewide Flood.”

–18  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN. “Latest Investigation…Dead in Ohio…” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

–15 as of March 29.[82]

— 9-12  Troy.

–12  Named Troy fatalities. Freeburg Tribune, IL. “List of Known Dead…” 4-4-1913, 9.

—  9  Troy, as of March 29.[83]

—      6  Valley Junction, as of March 29.[84]

—      3  Van Wert, as of March 29.[85]

—      3  Venice, as of March 29.[86]

—      3  Webster, as of March 29.[87]

—      1  West Liberty, south of, March 25. Penn Passenger train #3 goes through bridge.[88]

—      3  Wooster. Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.

—  2-5  Zanesville.

— 10  Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2.[89]

—   5  Zanesville, known dead as of March 29.[90]

–2-3  Zanesville. MRCC. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Zanesville…”

 

Pennsylvania (   2)

–2  New Castle, Mar 25. Lawrencecountymemoirs.com. “Great Flood of March 1913 – New Castle PA.”[91]

–?  Pittsburgh. Horton and Jackson (USGS). The Ohio Valley Flood of March-April, 1913. 1913, p. 14.

 

Tennessee       (   ?)

–?  See Horton and Jackson (USGS) map of geographic extent of rainfall, plate III, after p. 20.

 

West Virginia ( >2)

–?  Huntington. Flooding noted. Evening Telegraph, Dixon, IL. “Flood Conditions in Middle West,” 3-31-1913, 4

–2  Parkersburg, by March 31. Evening Telegraph, Dixon, IL. “Flood Conditions in Middle West,” 3-31-1913, 4.[92]

–?  Parkersburg (Plate 1). Horton and Jackson (USGS), note flooding.

–?  Wheeling. Horton and Jackson (USGS), note flooding, p. 14.

 

Wisconsin      (    ?)

–?  Wikipedia notes flood deaths in 13 States, including Wisconsin.[93]

 

Named Columbus Ohio Fatalities[94]

 

Columbus

1. Bell, Mrs.
2. Becker, Walter.
3. Becker, Mrs. Walter.
4. Briggs, Mert. Briggsdale suburb of Columbus.
5. Carrager, Miss Cornelia C.
6. Clouser, Mrs. Marie.
7. Coglin, M., State Hospital attendant.
8. Contenest, Antonio.
9. Cooper, Mrs. James.
10. Cooper, Emma, 5, child of Mr. and Mrs. James Cooper.
11. Cooper, 2^nd child of James.
12. Cooper. 1083 Sullivan Street.
13. Damsell, Edwin D.
14. Danezl, Edwin D., 811 ½ South High Street.
15. Deiss, John Andrew, 12.
16. Desk, Miss Alma, 16. State Hospital.
17. Diss, Alma, 9.
18. Diss, Hilda, 10.
19. Doty, Mr. W. A., 1908 Bellevue Avenue.
20. Doty, Mrs. W. A.
21. Eckert, George.[95]
22. Eckert, Mrs. George
23. Eckert, child 1 of Mr. and Mrs. George.
24. Eckert, child 2 of Mr. and Mrs. George.
25. Eckert, child 3 of Mr. and Mrs. George.
26. Eckert, child 4 of Mr. and Mrs. George.
27. Eckert, child 5 of Mr. and Mrs. George.
28. Eckert, child 6 of Mr. and Mrs. George.
29. Eckert, child 7 of Mr. and Mrs. George.
30. Evans, William. State Hospital attendant.
31. Fody, Frank.
32. Fody, Mrs. Frank.
33. Fody, child 1 of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fody. (Article notes “several children” died.)
34. Fody, child 2 of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fody.
35. Fody, child 3 of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fody.
36. Ford, Charles.
37. Ford, Mrs. Charles Ford.
38. Ford, child 1 of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford.
39. Ford, child 2 of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford.
40. Ford, child 3 of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford.
41. Ford, child 4 of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford.
42. Ford, Sam, 337 South Glenwood Avenue.
43. Ford, Frankie, 12 years old.
44. French, William, or William Griffin.
45. Garfield, Mrs. Sadie.
46. Gaven, Gus.
47. Gore, Albert C., 286 West State street.
48. Graver, Gus.
49. Greenlee, Mrs.
50. Griffin, Mr., Maple Street
51. Griffin, Mrs.
52. Griffin, child 1 of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, Maple Street.
53. Griffin, child 2 of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, Maple Street.
54. Griffin, child 3 of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, Maple Street.
55. Griffin, child 4 of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, Maple Street.
56. Griffin, child 5 of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, Maple Street.
57. Griffin, child 6 of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, Maple Street.
58. Griffin, child 7 of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, Maple Street.
59. Guy, William.
60. Hammerstein, Mrs. Henry.
61. Hartley, Mrs. O. S.
62. Hazlett, Claude.
63. Hollobough, Mrs. Anna F.
64. Howard, Mrs. Anna.
65. Howard, Walter G.
66. Hughes, David. 282 West State Street.
67. Huston, C. H.
68. Ketcham, Mr. John.
69. Ketcham, Mrs. John.
70. Keyes, Mrs. Mary.[96]
71. Kinney, Samuel.
72. Lynch, Ira L., 8 months old. Greenlawn.[97]
73. Lynch, Kenneth, 10. Greenlawn.
74. Lynch, Marion, 8 years old. Greenlawn.
75. Mack, Norman.
76. Mack, mother of Norman.
77. Mack, sister of Norman.
78. Mack, sister of Norman.
79. Mashen, Mr. H. L. [could be double listing for H. O. Mashon or Mashion]
80. Mashen, Mrs. H. L.
81. Mashon [Mashion?], H. O.
82. Mashion [Mashon?], Mrs. H. O.
83. McDonough, Mrs. Wm.
84. McDonough, child 1 of Mrs. Wm.
85. McDonough, child 2 of Mrs. Wm.
86. McDonough, child 3 of Mrs. Wm.
87. McDonough, child 4 of Mrs. Wm.
88. McNerney, Mrs. Della.
89. Miller, Mrs. Mary.
90. Mix, Wm.
91. Mix, Mrs. Wm.
92. Mix, child 1 of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mix.
93. Mix, child 2 of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mix.
94. Mix, child 3 of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mix.
95. Mix, child 4 of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mix.
96. Nicholson, child 1 of Mrs. Arthur Nicholson, 437 Glenwood Avenue.
97. Nicholson, child 2 of Mrs. Arthur Nicholson, 437 Glenwood Avenue.
98. Nicholson, child 3 of Mrs. Arthur Nicholson, 437 Glenwood Avenue.
99. Preston, Howard.
100. Randall, Jacob. State Hospital attendant.
101. Rice, Mrs.
102. Rice, daughter of Mrs.
103. Rice, baby girl of Mrs.
104. Ricosen, Kenneth
105. Ricosen, Mrs. Kenneth.
106. Sacrella, Sarah.
107. Sappler, Mr. John. 38 May Street.
108. Sappler, Mrs. John.
109. Scoville, Mrs. Sarah.
110. Sexton, W. A. Probation officer.
111. Shipley, Mrs.
112. Shipling, John. 35 West Main.
113. Shipling, wife of John, 35 West Main Street.
114. Shoup, infant son of C. M. Shoup.
115. Sorella, Sadie.
116. Stattler, John.
117. Strickler, Mrs.
118. Tanner, Mrs. Mary.
119. Toy, Mrs. O. C,
120. Troubly, Miss.
121. Tucker, Mr.
122. Tucker, Mrs.
123. Underwood, Albert, 11.
124. Underwood, Chas. W.
125. Underwood, Mrs.
126. Underwood, Josephine, 13, daughter of C. W. Underwood.
127. Underwood, child 3 of 4 (we make assumption Albert and Josephine were 1 & 2)
128. Ways, Mr. John. Cable Avenue.
129. Ways, Mrs. John.
130. Ways, child 1 of Mr. and Mrs. John Ways.
131. Ways, child 2 of Mr. and Mrs. John Ways.
132. Ways, child 3 of Mr. and Mrs. John Ways.
133. Ways, child 4 of Mr. and Mrs. John Ways.
134. Ways, child 5 of Mr. and Mrs. John Ways.
135. Weethe, Hannah.
136. Weisenganger, Arnold.
137. Wright, Mrs. Rhoda K.
138. Wright, Mrs. Thomas.

 

 

Narrative Information

 

Horton and Jackson (USGS): “The flood of March-April, 1913, beginning on March 23 (Easter Sunday), was caused solely by excessive precipitation over a comparatively large area, as a result of which great volumes of water were literally dumped into the rivers of northern Indiana and Ohio, especially the Miami, Scioto, and Muskingum, which attained such overwhelming proportions and spread such sudden and far-reaching disaster and ruin….Only a small share of the damage can be ascribed to the failure of dams, for no large dams failed. These northern tributaries, hitherto comparatively impotent in creating extreme floods on the Ohio itself, were the chief and direct sources of the water which caused the destructively high stages during this flood on the main stream from Marietta, Ohio, to Maysville, Ky., and probably on down to Cairo, 111. It is probable that the stages on the lower Ohio were increased by the effects of the levees constructed on the Mississippi at and below Cairo….

 

“On the Ohio the rise was extremely rapid from March 25 to 29 at all points above Louisville. Crest stages were reached from Pitts- burgh to Wheeling on March 28, and followed very quickly at other points from Marietta to Louisville, the crest passing the latter city on April 1. From Evansville to Cairo the rise was much less rapid, the crest not passing into the Mississippi until April 8.

 

“The almost inconceivable damage wrought by the flood was un- questionably increased in a very great measure by the works of man in the channels, along the banks, and across the river valleys. Al- though the presence of the enormous volume of water may be considered nothing more nor less than “an act of God,” still a large share of the blame for the resulting damage must be laid to man, not only for the positive harm done, by the works of municipal and rural improvement, but also because of the entire absence of any comprehensive engineering works built for the prevention of such damage by floods.

 

“In considering the cause of the flood the condition of the ground just prior to the flood and the amount of water already in the river channels should be noted. The ground was not frozen but was practically saturated by previous rains and so did not offer means of storing any considerable amount of the water and thereby tending to prevent its rapid discharge into the streams. It is extremely doubtful, however, if ground storage, even under the most favorable conditions, would have had any material effect in reducing this flood because of the intensity of the precipitation. No time was available in which the ground, even if it had not been saturated, might absorb the rain. In addition to these conditions, so favorable to rapid run- off, the river channels were fairly well filled, none of the tributaries being low, the main Ohio being at ordinary stage above Parkersburg and at comparatively high stage below Parkersburg….” [pp. 19-20]

 

“The first of the two storms of March 23-27 developed on the morning of the 22d over the far West, with a center over Nevada. During the succeeding 24 hours this disturbance moved slowly eastward, gathering energy, and at 8 a. m. on the 23d was central over Colorado. By this time it was well developed and was attended by rains over Indiana, Illinois, and portions of Iowa and Wisconsin.

 

“During the day of the 23d the storm moved east-northeastward, and at 8 p. m., seventy-fifth meridian time, was central slightly to the northeast of Omaha, Nebr. The rain area had advanced to the region of the lower Lakes, western New York, and western Pennsylvania, so that at this hour precipitation was taking place over practically the entire drainage basin of Ohio River….

 

“During the night of March 23-24 the precipitation area of the main storm extended eastward, and on the morning of Monday, the 24th, had reached the Atlantic Ocean. The rain was becoming excessive in many places, especially over the height of land separating the basins of Ohio River and southern Lake Erie… [p. 21]

 

Progress Of The Flood.

 

“….The Miami, the most westerly of the tributaries from the State of Ohio, was the first large stream to reach alarming proportions. A large measure of the attention drawn to this river, and more particularly to Dayton, the principal city along its banks, is due to this fact….At Dayton a crest stage of 29.0 feet about 8.0 feet higher than the crest of any other known flood at that place (21.3 feet in 1866) was reached about 1 a. m. March 26. The crest reached Hamilton about 3 a. m. on the same day, the maximum stage being 34.6 feet, about 13.5 feet higher than the previously recorded maximum (21.2 feet March 24, 1898). On Scioto River, whose headwaters adjoin those of Miami River, crest stages occurred practically simultaneously with those on the Miami. At Columbus (drainage area less than two- thirds of that above Dayton) the crest of 22.9 feet, only 1.6 feet greater than the previous maximum (21.3 feet March 23, 1898), occurred at noon on March 25, and at Chillicothe the crest of 37.8 feet, 9.5 feet higher than the previous maximum (28.3 feet March 24, 1898), was reached at 11 a. m., March 26. The flood followed quickly on Muskingum River, the largest and most easterly of the three principal streams in the State of Ohio. At Zanesville a maxi- mum of 51.8 feet occurred in the early morning of March 27, just 15 feet higher than the highest stage previously on record (36.8 feet March 24, 1898). At Beverly, only 20 miles from the mouth of the Muskingum, the crest of 46.5 feet, about 11 feet above the maximum (35 feet March, 1898), was reached on March 27…. [p. 23]

 

By the night of March 27 and the morning of the 28th crests from all tributaries of the Ohio above the Kanawha had reached the main stream. Flow from portions of the Monongahela system came in later than most of the others, which accounts for the lagging of the crest at Pittsburgh. Crest stages occurred at Pittsburgh, Beaver Dam, and Wheeling on March 28 but were below previously recorded maxima. Crests from the remaining tributaries reached the Ohio on March 28, with the exception of those from the Wabash, Cumberland, and Tennessee rivers. (The crest of April 5 on Green River was due to backwater.) Crest stages on Ohio River from Marietta to Louisville were reached successively March 29 to April 1… [p. 24]

“It should be noted that at Cairo the flood of March-April, 1913, was 0.8 foot higher than the previous maximum (54.0 feet April 6-7, 1912), and 3.0 feet higher than the 1884 flood, whereas at Paducah the 1913 flood surpassed the previous maximum, the 1884″ flood, by only 0.1 foot…. [p. 30]

 

(Horton, A. H. and H. J. Jackson. The Ohio Valley Flood of March-April, 1913. USGS, 1913.)

 

Williams: “Historian Trudy E. Bell, who wrote The Great Dayton Flood of 1913 (Arcadia Publishing) and has written extensively on the topic, has placed the death toll at over 1,000, which sounds right to this author, but the number bandied about throughout the 20^th century often focuses on only the deaths in Ohio and Indiana, when a considerable number of people in other states lost their lives. Four hundred and sixty-seven deaths is the most quoted number for Ohio…and the number of deaths for Indiana quoted is usually 200. A June 5, 1921 New York Times article placed the figure of deaths in Ohio and Indiana as 730, which may or may not have included victims from other states like Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the hundreds of others who died in the tornadoes[98] that came with the storm that initially brought the flood.” (Author’s Note.)

 

Arkansas

 

March 28: “Little Rock, Mar. 28.–In open violation of the law, backed by the Acting Governor and Attorney General, the Arkansas Board of Penitentiary Commissioners will send 200 or as many convicts as can be spared from the State farm, to the aid of the St. Francis levee board in saving the levees on the Mississippi River. The convicts will be ready to leave the farm today, and will go to Varner, thence to McGhee or Pine Bluff, to be taken to the point designated by the President, O. H. Killough of the levee board. President Killough sent urgent messages to Acting Governor Futrell [unclear] and members of the Penitentiary Commission Thursday afternoon asking for convicts to help protect the weak places in the levees. As the law requires all convicts to be worked on the State Farms, and prohibits leasing of convicts in any way, the Commissioners appealed to Attorney General W. L. Moose for advice. He informed the commissioners the law is very plain, but as this is an emergency, he thought the people of the state would commend, instead of condemn, the action of the Commissioners if the convicts were made use of in fighting the rising [unclear] water….” (Fayetteville Daily, AR. “Arkansas Preparing For Flood.” 3-29-1913, p. 1.)

 

April 22: “Memphis, April 22.–Reports from the flooded sections in Poinsett county, Ark., are that many people are actually starving for want of food and thousands of acres and many homes are under water.” (National News Association. “Flood Refugees Are Dying From Starvation.” Centralia Evening Sentinel, IL. 4-22-1913, p. 1.)

 

Indiana

 

March 24, Fort Wayne: “Two and seventy-six hundredths inches of rain fell in this city yesterday and last night, with the result that the local rivers this morning showed a flood state of over twenty feet — forty-two houses on Balles avenue, Prospect avenue and Wagner street were surrounded by the river, which rose twelve feet in the past twenty-four hours and the approach to the Tennessee avenue bridge was cut off.

 

“The county commissioners early today became worried over the condition of the Coombs street bridge. All of them went to the bridge on an inspection trip this morning. At that time the dike near the bridge was rather quaky.

 

“Although Weatherwiseman Palmer predicted clearing and colder weather for tonight, it was feared that the residents on the city’s lowlands would suffer further as it was not expected that the crest of the flood would be reached until late this afternoon. During the day the river rose rapidly, gobbling up fresh territory in its rise.

 

“The extremely sudden rise of the river caught the Balles avenue residents unprepared. When they retired last night their homes were high and dry. But during the night they were awakened by the gurgling of water over the carpets in their parlors and the morning sun revealed a state of high water that was the equal of anything which has visited the city for the past seven years. Many of the Balles avenue people moved to terra firma via rowboats early today. Others stoically remained in their domiciles…However, all the boats in that part of the city were put into immediate and repeated service this morning….” (Fort Wayne News, IN. “Omaha and Terre Haute Storm Stricken. Rivers Jump to Flood Over Night.” 3-24-1913, p. 1.)

 

March 24, Kokomo: “Following torrential rains which began early Sunday morning [23^rd] and lasted twenty-four hours, Kokomo is face to face with the worst flood situation in its history. Wildcat [creek] went over the levee that protects the river district of South Kokomo at 8 o’clock this morning, invading scores of homes, the Apperson automobile factory and J. M. Leach ice plant and barns.

 

“The flood threatens to enter the power plant of the Indiana Railways and Light company. If the waters take possession there, the result will be paralysis of the local electric light, street railway and central heating plants and the K., M. & W and K. F. & W. interurban lines.

 

“At dawn it was apparent that the river was rising at a rate of three inches an hour. Persons familiar with the stream  predicted that the flood’s crest would not be reached, even if no more rain fell, before night. At 7 o’clock the waters were within three inches of the top of the levee at the bend above Union street bridge. All who saw realized that within an hour there would be a torrent pouring into the backyards and that Carter street would be converted into a canal.

 

“Loath to leave their properties, but seeing that they faced the inevitable, residents of the threatened district began moving out shortly before 8 o’clock. Some took up their first floor carpets and moved furniture to the second floor. Others got their effects together for a complete move. A few grimly watched the flood and made no effort to protect their property. These were the poor tho living in one-story shacks and had nowhere to move.

 

“One or two abortive attempts were made by volunteers to reinforce the levee at the bend, but the giant current brushed away their petty earthworks as fast as they were erected….” (Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Easter storms put Kokomo in Grip of the Greatest Flood in History–Water, Light and Power Plants Down.” 3-24-1913, p. 1.)

 

March 25: “Indianapolis, March 25 – Five hundred families near White river were rescued in boats today. The water supply of the city was shut off at 2 o’clock this afternoon and street car service was stalled. The pumping station and power house was flooded.

 

“Ft. Wayne, March 25 – The most disastrous flood in Ft. Wayne’s history was spreading its force here today.  It is now believed that by midnight the waters will recede. In Laketon, a suburb, the beautiful residence district, the situation is critical, many homes being surrounded by water. A similar condition exists in the suburb, Nebraska….

 

“Indianapolis – Steam and interurban traffic over the state has practically come to a standstill, but few trains moving for only short distances. Many wires are down in all localities and the transmission of news is made difficult.

 

“Bluffton – The flood situation here is desperate. The streets are covered with several feet of water and citizens are being removed from their homes in boats.

 

“Muncie – The levee protecting the northern part of the city broke, creating a flood that rendered hundreds of people homeless.

 

“Anderson – Hundreds of people have been driven from their homes on account of the high waters.

 

“Kokomo – Water to a depth of eight feet is rushing through the city streets. Many people driven from their homes and the loss will be enormous.

 

“Marion – The levee of the Mississinewa river broke today, flooding many houses and driving people forth to seek shelter in other places.

 

“Peru – Two-thirds of the city is covered with water overflowed from the Wabash river and the loss is estimated at $400,000.  All factories are under water and three thousand men are thrown out of work. In South Peru all houses are surrounded by water and people were rescued from trees, where that had sought safety.” (Logansport Pharos, IN. “1,600 Drowned in Dayton, O., Report.” 3-25-1913, 1.)

 

March 26: “With four known fatalities and rumors of many more, the situation in Indiana outside of Marion County is worse than it has been in many years. One youth, an Indianapolis Purdue student, was drowned at Lafayette, one man was drowned at Fort Wayne and one life was lost at Rushville. At Muncie one man was drowned.  The former two met death while attempting to rescue others. James Hibbard, a horse trainer, was drowned at Rushville when a horse he was riding along the main street got into deep water and he tried to swim to safety.

 

“Washouts and bridges washed away have practically tied up steam and interurban traffic, telegraph and telephone wires are either down or working only at times and over small stretches, and in many cities light and water plants are out of commission.

 

“Thousands have been driven from their homes and the property loss will amount to many millions.  In nearly all sections of the state rain is still falling and shows no signs of letup…

 

“Heavy loss of life is reported at Brookville, but all rail and wire communication is cut off and no details can be obtained. The best information was contained in a meager dispatch sent Ed. Stinger, an attaché of the state auditor’s office by a friend who went from Brookvale to Connersville to send it.  It reads as follows: ‘Levee broken. Valley flooded. Heavy loss life. Paper mill destroyed and all bridges out.’ This message was sent about 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

 

“A cloudburst was reported from Princeton which rendered many families homeless. It was feared that the water plant would be flooded and the city left without fire protection.

 

“Traffic is tied up in Evansville and the Ohio was reported rising.

 

“At Fort Wayne the breaking of a levee has made more than 3,000 people homeless, put the municipal power plant out of business and left the city, in darkness. One man, Frank Neimeier, was drowned while assisting in the rescue of other unfortunates.

 

“In Whitley County Eel and Blue Rivers are out of banks and more than a score of bridges have been washed away. All traffic is stopped and hundreds of persons have been compelled to take to the high ground in boats, Vandalia trains and those of the Pennsylvania are tied up….

 

“In Pike County Price Creek rose twelve feet in five hours. Ten miles of the E. & I. tracks are under water. Many bridges are out, Hundreds are homeless and it is feared that many coal mines will be flooded. Firemen in a lime warehouse in Petersburg fought the flames while standing in water up to their waists.

 

“In Anderson the water and light plants are our of commission, the Big Four bridge is out and the water is up to the rails of the Pennsylvania bridge.  Five hundred people are already homeless.

 

“At Noblesville 300 families have left their homes and a large force of men is building levees to prevent the business district from being damaged.  All bridges are wavering and traffic on them has been prohibited….”  (Indianapolis Star, IN. “Four Lost Life in State Flood; Damage Heavy.” 3-26-1913, 4.)

 

March 27: “So far there have been six fatalities in Fort Worth as the result of the flood, as follows:

 

“Unknown Man, drowning while engaged in rescue work in Nebraska last night.

 

“Peter G. Miller, residing on a farm west of the city, dies as the result of exposure sustained while engaged in rescue work yesterday.

 

“Four Orphans, being taken from Allen county orphans’ home to the Broadway bridge, drowned by boat capsizing.”  (Fort Wayne News, IN. “Six Known Fatalities.” 3-27-1913, 1.)

 

March 28: “Terre Haute, Ind., March 27. Sixteen persons were drowned this afternoon when Eel River flooded Howesville, a small village about twenty-five miles southeast of Terre Haute, according to a report from Linton. Thirty others are marooned on housetops and six boats have been sent from Linton to rescue the survivors. All wire communication with the place was cut off this evening.” (Indianapolis Star, IN. “Sixteen Are Drowned When Eel River Floods Howesville.” 3-28-1913, 4.)

 

March 28: “With the partial restoration of communication with stricken cities and neighborhoods in different parts of the state more definite and accurate news of conditions is available.

 

“The number of dead at Peru is variously estimated at from eleven to thirty, while the number of missing runs into the hundreds, but it is thought the majority of these escaped to the hills south of  the city.

 

“The winter quarters of Wallace’s circus are reported destroyed and all the animals drowned except the elephants, which managed to get loose and reach high ground.

 

“Smallpox and diphtheria patients were found among the refugees in the Court House and were at once isolated in one of the rooms.

 

“In Franklin County the villages of Metamora, Cedar Grove and New Trenton are reported to have been practically wiped out and at Brookville it is said that two or three refugees have committed suicide. This report has not been verified….

 

“Lawrenceburg is reported partly flooded and one report says that two men have been drowned, as they have not been accounted for….

 

“Columbus – Guy Renner and Roscoe E. Hickey of Nineveh Township, were drowned while rescuing others….

 

“Princeton – The high water situation is growing worse.  The Wabash is six miles wide south of here.  It was reported from East Mt. Carmel that a man marooned by the water had hanged himself to a rafter in his barn.  One death from drowning is reported from Skelton, a little town on the Big Four road fifteen miles southwest of here, but the name of the victim could not be learned.”  (Indianapolis Star, IN.  “Fatality Lists Grow as Wires Bring Details.” 3-28-1913, 4.)

 

March 29: “Indianapolis, Ind., March 29. – Mud was Indiana’s greatest flood problem today. The thousands of homeless adapted themselves to hunger, cold and thirst; they adapted themselves to overcrowding; they faced death and saw death take its toll around them, 100 lives in the state—but they couldn’t adapt themselves to mud.

 

“Comparatively few houses and only the flimsiest kind were entirely wiped out by the flood waters, but the residences and buildings left standing will not be fit for habitation until inches of sediment and ooze in every crevice are made to disappear.

 

“The hopelessness and desolation of this mud campaign cannot be overestimated. Yet the situation in Indiana showed a vast improvement today.  The state is caring for its own and is even sending aid to Ohio.  Richmond has starved itself to rush help to Dayton and Ohio refugees by the thousands are being housed and fed along the eastern boundary of Indiana. The city of Indianapolis today shipped a trainload of supplies and provisions to Dayton.

 

“Martial law prevailed in several of the flooded cities as an aid to preventing looting and to wage

sanitary campaign. The state health board has determined to give the country an object lesson in sanitation and hopes to pass over the critical stage of polluted water supplies and disease-breeding refuse without a serious epidemic.

 

“Railroad traffic was slowly being resumed. Regular schedules have mostly been shot to pieces in washed out bridges and track in submerged and wrecked passenger and freight cars, the loss to the steam and interurban rail roads in Indiana is conservatively estimated at $10,000,000. Cities and counties have lost an equal amount by destroyed bridges and obliterated roads….” (Fort Wayne News, IN. “Order Coming Out of Chaos…Flood…” 3-29-1913, p. 1.)

 

Kentucky

 

April 9: “Paducah, Ky., April 9.–The first death since the beginning of the flood occurred here last night when Gus Gott, of Pittsburg, Pa., an employe of the Illinois Central railway here, was drowned when his boat capsized in eight feet of water in the street.

 

“This is the way the flood record for the Ohio river at Paducah will read hereafter, ‘State 54.3, April 4, 1913.’ The stage was reached last Monday on the Government gauge, and it is one-tenth foot above the previous record of 1884.

 

“All the rivers are falling above here and the decline has been going on since Monday night [April 7^th].

 

“A bargeload of refugees was brought here from the lower Ohio and taken to the camp on Colonial Heights. They were picked up by Federal soldiers.

 

“A general cleaning will be given the city when the water recedes. Disinfectants will be used liberally to prevent disease.” (Decaturs Daily, AL. “First Death at Paducah.” 4-9-1913, p. 2.)

 

Louisiana

 

April 26: “Melville, La., April 26.–A portion of the main levee forming the east bank of the Atchafalaya river, north of Krotz Springs, gave way. The crevasse will flood parts of Point Coupee and Iberville parishes. The Frisco railroad between Baton Rouge and Opelousas and the Southern Pacific branch between Baton Rouge and Lafayette will be cut by the flood waters, and the Texas & Pacific between Plaquemine and Melville will be abandoned. The towns of Latannia, Bowie, Livonia, Lottie and Fordoche probable will be inundated.” (Daily Free Press, Carbondale, IL. “Lower River Levee Breaks.” 4-26-1913, p. 1.)

 

April 28: “Natchez, Miss., April 28.–Lower Lake St. John levees Concordia Parish broke and the Mississippi river poured into Concordia Parish with a roar. No lives lost so far. The gap is a half mile wide and twenty-five feet deep. The crevasse will flood Concordia. The lower part of Tensas, which lines on the north and parts of Franklin and Catahoula Parishes on the west.” (Monmouth Daily Atlas, IL. “Another Break in Levee.” 4-28-1913, p. 9.)

 

April 29: “New Orleans, La., April 29.–Mississippi flood water pouring through a break in the dike near Gibson’s landing had formed a lake 15 miles in length and many miles wide in Tensas and Concordia parishes, Louisiana. Near the crevasse the dept of the lake reached a 20-foot stage. The water spread over the towns of Goldman, Gibson, Waterproof and Azucema.” (Centralia Evening Sentinel, IL. “Flood Forms a Big Lake.” 4-29-1913, p. 5.)

 

April 30: “New Orleans, La., April 30.–For the first time since the spring flood entered the Mississippi river all points from St. Louis to New Orleans recorded lower stages than for the previous 24 hours. This relief, however, is only temporary for points from Natchez south, because the return of the water now pouring through the several breaks in the levees will cause another climb of the gauges within the next few days.” (Centralia Evening Sentinel, IL. “River Flood State Lower.” 4-30-1913, p. 5.)

 

Mississippi

 

April 22: “Vicksburg, Miss., April 22.–At least two human lives were snuffed out when the Woodlawn levee broke yesterday afternoon, the known victims being an aged negro man and a boy who lived near the embankment and who were swept away without warning. Unconfirmed reports have reached here of the loss of other lives in the vicinity of the crevasse.

 

“Several hundred persons who rushed to the levees for safety immediately after the break occurred were rescued during the night by the Vicksburg and Greenville Packet Steamer Ben Hur. The government steamer Nakomis arrived at the scene early this morning and immediately sent out rescue crews with gasoline launches and skiffs.

 

“The crevasse had widened this morning to more than a thousand feet and at noon today the levee was crumbling away at both ends of the break rapidly.

 

“The flood water was several feet deep in the town of Mayersville. Duncansby was flooded from two to six feet and the crevasse water had reached the Greenville branch of the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad just above Rolling Fork. This branch, as well as the main line on the Yazoo and the Mississippi Valley Road, will be put out of commission before morning.

 

“The refugees from the section inundated by the Woodlawn crevasse will be brought to Vicksburg, where the United States army relief corps has arranged to open camp.

 

“The big river steamer Alice B. Miller, was dispatched from Vicksburg this morning for Mayersville by Cap. W. W. Baker, United States Army, in charge of the eighth District relief corps. The steamer was placed in charge of Lieutenant-General Blaine and carries a half dozen launches, a dozen skiffs and a large rescue crew. The river steamer Kate will reach the scene of the crevasse tonight with food supplies to those who cannot be promptly moved from their perilous positions.

 

“Adjutant General Fridge of Mississippi is here in conference with Captain Baker, and it is announced that the State and Federal authorities will co-operate in the organization of the relief work.

 

“Governor Hall of Louisiana and party left here this morning on the steamer May Stewart to continue the inspection of the levees on the Louisiana side of the river.” (Dothan Weekly Eagle, MS. “Woodlawn Break of Thousand Feet is Growing Wider.” 4-25-1913, p. 1.)

 

New York

 

State of Ohio Miami Conservancy District: “In New York state record floods occurred on the Mohawk and upper Hudson Rivers. The damage done by floods in some localities was extraordinary. The total monetary losses caused by the March 1913 storm aggregated in the neighborhood of $200,000,000.” (State of Ohio. “Storm 132, March 23-27, 1913,” p. 168.)

 

Ohio

 

Burt and Stroud: “The deadliest regional flood in U.S. history took place in Ohio the last week of March 1913. Four days of heavy rain soaked the entire state, with 11.16” falling in Bellefontaine. Extreme flooding began along all of the state’s rivers with record flood stages along the Miami River in Dayton cresting some 34 feet above flood level.

 

“Four hundred sixty-seven people lost their lives, including 123 in Dayton alone. A report described the situation:  ‘A brown wave of water, six feet high, rolled its foaming crest westward on the streets and meeting at each corner a similar wave from the north, piled the water into a raging torrent which filled the streets with foam and wreckage.’  The water reached a depth of 18 feet in Dayton’s Union Railway Station, and 600 people were trapped there for three days before the water receded.”  (Burt and Stroud.  Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book, 2004, 127.)

 

Estherville Democrat: “1913 – Spring floods caused 732 deaths and property losses of $181,000,000 in Ohio and Indiana; Dayton suffered greatest loss.” (Estherville Democrat (IA). “Storms and Floods Since 1421,” Oct 6, 1926, p. 12.)

 

Knowles: “It has long been an engineering principle that an earth embankment must not be overtopped.  Twenty-four years ago, the Johnston disaster, due to insufficient spillway capacity, impressed this upon the whole world.  And it is an interesting parallel, that this was caused by an old reservoir originally built by the state for canal purposes, and later abandoned and used for pleasure purposes.  Yet in Ohio there were four earth embankment reservoirs, one of which had no spillway and a far from sufficient discharge pipe: two of which filled up so that the banks were overflowed; and one which did not overflow, but which filled up sufficiently so that waves were driven over the embankments….The faults in these reservoirs, then, were not due to a lack of knowledge as to what to expect, but only to failure to apply knowledge already gained.  In this case, of course, state ownership put an extra responsibility on Ohio to see that its property was not a menace to its citizens.  But, in any case, the state is the only institution which can see that such structures are provided with the necessary facilities to make them safe.  Johnstown ought to have taught the necessity of examining reservoirs and dams, and of enforcing suitable standards of design and construction.  Yet if we examine the statute books of Ohio we find no legislative provision of this kind whatever.  Nor is there any provision for the study, mapping and gauging of the water resources. This is a necessary preliminary to a full understanding of the possible menace from uncontrolled waste.

 

“With only two or three exceptions, conditions are precisely the same throughout the country.  Even in Pennsylvania, which has probably suffered more grievously from dam failures than any other state, there is as yet no public knowledge of the design and condition of all dams, and no authority in any official or body to correct a dangerous condition.

 

“Must we wait for another Johnstown or an Austin to change these things.  Or will we learn from what might well have occurred in Ohio, and make a repetition of such disasters impossible?  The lesson is plain.  Will we profit by it?” (Knowles. “Lessons From Ohio…” 1913, p. 218.)

 

Ohio Historical Society: “The statewide extent of death and destruction in the Flood of 1913 exceeds all other weather events in Ohio history, justifying the title of “Ohio’s greatest weather disaster.” Rainfall over the state totaled 6-11 inches and no section was unaffected. The death toll was 467 and more than 40,000 homes were flooded.

 

“At Dayton, the Great Miami River flooded 14 square miles of the city and water ran in swift currents 10 feet deep through downtown streets. The flood killed 123 people in Dayton. Downstream on the Miami River, there were about 100 deaths in Hamilton where water was 10 to 18 feet deep in residential areas. Approximately 100 died in Columbus when the Scioto River reached record levels and poured 9 to 17 feet deep through neighborhoods. Many Columbus residents escaped to the safety of rooftops and trees. Thirteen people were rescued from a single tree. Downstream, most of Chillicothe was under water.

 

The Muskingum River at Zanesville crested 27 feet above flood stage and water was 20 feet deep at several downtown intersections. Only the lampposts were visible on the famous Y-bridge. The Maumee River crested 10 feet above flood stage at Defiance where 268 homes were under water. Many people were rescued from rooftops and trees in Tiffin but 19 died when homes collapsed into the Sandusky River. The Cuyahoga River washed away docks, lumberyards, trains, and rail yards in Cleveland. Seven locks were dynamited on the Ohio Canal at Akron, allowing the floodwaters to pour into the Cuyahoga. Levees along the Ohio River at Portsmouth were topped, flooding 4,500 homes. The Ohio River at Cincinnati rose 21 feet in 24 hours. A system of flood control reservoirs was established by the Miami Conservancy District after the flood of 1913.”

(Ohio Historical Society, “March 23-27, 1913, Statewide Flood”)

 

The Survey: “The New York office of the Red Cross received a dispatch at the end of the week from Ernest P. Bicknell, national director of the Red Cross at Columbus, which gives the most comprehensive summary of the situation thus far received.  He says:

 

The emergency relief situation in each flooded district in Ohio is well covered.  Dayton, Columbus, Cincinnati, Piqua, Troy, Ottawa, Sidney, Hamilton, Miamisburg, Middleton, Zanesville and Tiffin are covered by Red Cross representatives…. Am pushing men into other flooded towns as fast as water subsides and we can get the men.  It has been most difficult to get reliable information: wires are still down and transportation extremely difficult.  Further rains are impeding progress.

 

The best information we can get indicates the following conditions throughout state.  Four hundred sixty dead in Ohio, 4,200 homes destroyed, estimated 40,500 people temporarily homeless and 9,000 families, outside of Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati, will need rehabilitation….

 

Some Ohio towns are just being heard from.  At least 30 cities and towns are inundated in Ohio, twenty in Indiana and many in Illinois, Kentucky and West Virginia.  Boundary line surrounding flooded territory more than two thousand miles long.  Situation very serious in a number of Indiana cities.

 

Following report from Adjutant General F. S. Dickson of Illinois indicates gravity of situation in that state:  ‘We have flooded territory on the eastern side of the state along the Wabash River and its tributaries, and another through the heart of the middle western part of the state along the Illinois River and its tributaries, but the most serious situation confronting us is along the Ohio and Mississippi, particularly the Ohio.  The entire territory from above Mount Carmel on the Wabash down past Cairo is either submerged or in grave danger of being submerged.  Shawneetown has been abandoned and is now under water to the extent of approximately twenty-five or thirty feet.

 

‘On duty there are two companies of national guard and a division of naval militia.  People driven from their homes numbering approximately eight hundred to one thousand are in the hills back of the city and are appealing for shelter and food.  Mounds City is making a desperate fight and there are four companies of national guard working on the levees.  The saving of the people is in doubt because there is no high ground in their rear to which it is possible for them to go, they are entirely shut off in the rear by from fifteen to twenty-five feet of water.  Cairo is practically an island and the water from the Ohio has driven people along the territory I have indicated, away from their homes and back into the hills to distances of ten to fifteen miles.  This distance is entirely covered by water.  The state is furnishing all the tentage at its command and food supplies to every possible point within our power.  From the reliable reports from my officers who have personally visited these places, I would say that in the present flooded area in southern Illinois there are from eighteen to twenty thousand people homeless and in dire need of food’.”

 

(The Survey, “In the Wake of the Flood,” Vol. XXX, No. 2, April 12, 1913, p. 53)

 

Epic Disasters: “The disaster led to the nation’s first flood control board and programs.” (Epic Disasters, The Deadliest US Floods)

US Army Chief of Engineers:

“From:  The Chief of Engineers, United States Army.

“To: The Secretary of War.

“Subject: Flood protection and prevention.

 

“1.  The river and harbor act approved March 4, 1915, contained the following item:

 

….Scioto River and its tributaries, Miami River and its tributaries, all in the State of Ohio; Maumee River and its tributaries, Ohio and Indiana; Kankakee River and the Wabash River and its tributaries, Illinois and Indiana, with a view to devising plans for flood protection and determining the extent to which the United States should cooperate with the States and other communities and interests in carrying out such plans, its share being based upon the value of protection to navigation.

 

“There are submitted herewith for transmission to Congress reports by the Ohio Valley Flood Board on examinations authorized by the above-quoted item of law relative to Cheat, Tygarts, West Fork, and Kanawha Rivers, dated August 31, 1916; Muskingum and Wabash Rivers, dated September 1, 1916; Scioto River, dated September 12, 1916; Miami River, dated October 30, 1916; and Maumee River, dated June 3, 1916….

 

“On the Muskingum, Scioto, Miami, Maumee, and Wabash Rivers the property damage caused by overflow of the river valleys has been large and considerable loss of life has resulted, especially along the Scioto and Miami Rivers….The conservancy law of Ohio, passed February 6, 1914, authorized the organization of drainage and conservation districts, ‘to prevent floods, to protect cities, villages, farms, and highways from inundation.’ Under this law a number of conservancy districts have been formed.  In one of the Scioto districts alternative plans have been proposed, and in the Miami district a plan has been adopted by the conservancy court, under date of November 24, 1916, subsequent to the reports of the flood board and of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors.” (U.S. War Department, Chief of Engineers. Flood Protection and Prevention. Letter from the Secretary of War. Washington, 12-21-1916, six pages.)

 

Newspapers on Ohio:

 

March 25: “Columbus, O., March 25 – The big bridges at State street, Mound street and Rich street went out at noon today.  The State Capitol and court house were turned into places of refuge following the break in the levees of the Scioto river. Three men were drowned’ here.  Reports from along the river say that forty persons were drowned.

 

“Persistent reports from Dayton, Ohio, are that 1,600 persons were drowned, but confirmation of this report is impossible. The last word received from there was when the wires failed and the operator said, ‘Good bye, levee is broken.’  At that time the business section of the city was in from three to five feet in water….

 

“Delaware, Ohio – Twenty people, including the mayor, were drowned by the overflowing of the Miami river. Hundreds are rendered homeless.” (Logansport Pharos, IN. “1,600 Drowned in Dayton, O., Report.” 3-25-1913, 1.)

 

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Dothan Weekly Eagle, MS. “Woodlawn Break of Thousand Feet is Growing Wider.” 4-25-1913, p. 1. Accessed 7-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dothan-weekly-eagle-apr-25-1913-p-1/

 

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Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Fort Wayne Begins Work of Cleaning up Damage…Bodies of All Drowned Have Been Found.” 3-30-1913, p. 1. Accessed 7-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-wayne-journal-gazette-mar-30-1913-p-1/

 

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Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN. “Latest Investigation Indicates the Dead in Ohio and Indiana From Flood Will Number Less Than Five Hundred.” 3-30-1913, p. 1. Accessed 7-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-wayne-journal-gazette-mar-30-1913-p-1/

 

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Fort Wayne News, IN. “Omaha and Terre Haute Storm Stricken. Rivers Jump to Flood Over Night.” 3-24-1913, 1. Accessed 7-10-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-wayne-news-mar-24-1913-p-12/

 

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Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Toll in Ohio Flood is Between 494 and 519.” 4-4-1913, p. 9. Accessed 7-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/freeburg-tribune-apr-04-1913-p-9/

 

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Journal-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Duck Hunters Drown.” 3-25-1913, p. 2. Accessed 7-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-journal-tribune-mar-25-1913-p-2/

 

Journal-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Falls Through Open Bridge.” 3-25-1913, p. 2. Accessed 7-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-journal-tribune-mar-25-1913-p-2/

 

Journal-Tribune, Logansport. “Whole State is Griped by Record Floods; 26 Dead.” 3-25-1913, p. 2. Accessed 7-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-journal-tribune-mar-25-1913-p-2/

 

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State of Ohio, The Miami Conservancy District, Engineering Staff. Storm Rainfall of Eastern United States. Dayton, Ohio: Technical Reports, Part V, 1917. Google preview accessed 7-11-2019 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=buxEAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

The Survey (Weekly). “In the Wake of the Flood,” Vol. XXX, No. 2, April 12, 1913, p. 53.  Digitized by Google. Accessed 7-9-2019 at:

https://books.google.com/books?id=gCkKAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

ThisWeekNews.com. “1913 flood changed Columbus.” 3-26-2013. Accessed 7-10-2019 at: https://www.thisweeknews.com/article/20130326/NEWS/303269657

 

United Press, Columbus. “The Conditions are Worse at Columbus.” Fayetteville Daily, AR, 3-27-1913, p. 1. Accessed 7-11-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-daily-mar-27-1913-p-1/

 

United Press, Indianapolis. “The First Report To-day.” Fayetteville Daily, AR, 3-26-1913, p. 1. Accessed 7-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-daily-mar-26-1913-p-1/

 

United States War Department, Chief of Engineers. Flood Protection and Prevention. Letter from the Secretary of War. Washington, 12-21-1916, six pages. Accessed at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=wbMqAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Warren County Democrat, Monmouth, IL. “Ohio Death List Reduced to 472.” 4-10-1913, p. 2. Accessed 7-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monmouth-warren-county-democrat-apr-10-1913-p-2/

 

Williams, Geoff. Washed Away: How the Great Flood of 1913, America’s Most Widespread Natural Disaster, Terrorized a Nation and Changed It Forever. Early Bird Books. 2013. Google preview accessed 7-9-2019 at:  https://books.google.com/books?id=af3yFQIHMycC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

 

 

[1] Obviously an inaccurate, alarmist report. We show only to give an example of the kind of reporting one sees.

[2] “There were at least several hundred, and probably more like a thousand, deaths.” We [Blanchard] do not use this number in that (1) it appears to include tornado and flood fatalities, and (2) the upper range number of 1,000 is not supported by our tally of reported deaths by State.

[3] “One estimate of storm-related deaths is more than 900.” (Wikipedia. “Great Flood of 1913. 3-28-2019 last edit. Cites: Trudy E. Bell. “Forgotten Waters: Indiana’s Great Easter Flood of 1913.” Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History. Indiana Historical Society, Vol. 18, No. 2, Spring 2006, p. 15. [Storm deaths could include tornadoes.

[4] Given that our attempt to tally fatalities by State comes to 591-668, we choose not to use a number which was reported in the press soon after the flooding and seems to us to be the source of the CRED number, the New York Times number in 1921 and other sources which use the exact same number for fatalities.

[5] We do not know how this sum was tabulated or from what sources. There is no State breakout. We speculate that tornado deaths were included. In that this is the earliest account we have seen to use the number 732 deaths, we also speculate that this NYT report is the source of later reporting which just repeats the number.

[6] “The estimated death toll for flood-related deaths in Ohio, Indiana and eleven other deaths were estimated at 650.”

[7] We have conducted a newspaperarchive.com search for the time-period of March 23 to April 30, as well as an Internet search for 1913 Arkansas flood and find no deaths reported.

[8] We have researched Illinois newspapers in newspaperarchive.com for March 23 to April 30 and searched the Internet looking for mentions of Illinois deaths due to the flooding, which no doubt happened along the Ohio River, but have found no mention of Illinois flood deaths.

[9] Evening Telegraph, Dixon, IL. “Flood Conditions in Middle West,” 3-31-1913, p. 4.

[10] We use the result of our locality tally for the high-end of the range, and the report of the Fort Wayne News of March 29, 1913 for the low-end.

[11] “Indianapolis, March 26….The total [loss of life] over the state is given as a thousand dead in some estimates.”

[12] “Statewide the flood claimed 200 lives and left 200,000 homeless.” No breakout by locality, other than to note how many “were reported but unconfirmed” dead in Indianapolis. Several sources cited at end of article but none placed at the end of the “claimed 200 lives.”

[13] Not used – not in keeping with either the largest state fatality estimate or our own counting of deaths by locality.

[14] Not used — see previous footnote.

[15] “In addition to the 100 known dead in Indiana, scores of persons are missing.”

[16] “This month, on the 100^th anniversary of the flood that claimed as many as 100 lives and left 7% of Indiana’s population homeless…”

[17] We are assuming these fatalities are from non-incorporated locations within the county, and not from incorporated entities, such as Columbus.

[18] Our number based on report that “Several families drowned…”  We are assuming the deaths are from non-incorporated areas.

[19] Also: Midwestern Regional Climate Center. The Great Flood of 1913.100 Years Later. “…Columbus, Indiana.”

[20] “Six known fatalities occurred, four of whom were orphaned girls being transferred by boat from the flooded orphanage to safety when the boat capsized. Two more citizens were killed from failed rescue attempts.”

[21] It is written that the three orphan girls drowned Wednesday [March 26] when a rescue boat overturned.

[22] Below, in the same paper, the last name of the brothers is spelled “Rotherberger.” Notes that were out duck hunting  “in a small boat they had just completed today.” Notes Ray was 25 and Roscoe 18. Abraham Myers, 17, survived the capsize. (Journal-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Duck Hunters Drown.” 3-25-1913, p. 2.)

[23] Journal-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Falls Through Open Bridge.” 3-25-1913, p. 2.

[24] “In Indianapolis about 7,000 families lost their homes, and as many as 25 deaths were reported but unconfirmed.” We do not use this number in that it is so out-of-keeping with reporting at the time as well as the Midwestern Regional Climate Center reporting of “five known” deaths, while acknowledging rumors of more.

[25] “The recently-made suburb of West Indianapolis and valley of West Nee York Street were the hardest hit area; a region known for workers in the railroads and stockyards. The damage unveiled when the water receded was substantial and the worst flood the region ever saw. In all, a six-square mile area was inundated and 4,000 families saw their homes damaged or destroyed. The loss of life stands at five known, however stories from witnesses suggest th total may be higher.”

[26] “Indianapolis, March 24….Three persons were drown today in swollen streams…” Also: Germano, Nancy M. White River and the “Great Flood” of 1913…  2008.

[27] Cited for article: Cade, E. R. (US Weather Bureau Observer). Flood on the Wabash River in March 1913. Presumably this is the source for the note of three “Known Fatalities.”

[28] John Hagner, 42, of New Castle, washed off Blue River railroad trestle.

[29] The only mention of fatalist is in the subheading. Nothing said of fatalities in “Impact” section. No sources cited.

[30] Marshall Herald, IL. “Was Hero of Flood.” 4-16-1913, p. 1. Notes he was a railroad worker who had “secured a row boat and visited home after home, taking three or four people at a time to the higher portions of the town.”

[31] Under “Known Fatalities” notes “20-25 from tornado on 3/23.” Notes no flood fatalities.

[32] “This year [2013] marks the 100^th anniversary of the 1913 flood that struck the Midwest. In a period of just two days (March 24^th and March 25^th) Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York experienced tornadoes and the equivalent of two to three months worth of rain.”

[33] “Catlettsburg practically cut off by flood.” (Evening Telegraph, Dixon, IL. “Flood Conditions in Middle West,” 3-31-1913, p. 4.)

[34] Evening Telegraph, Dixon, IL. “Flood Conditions in Middle West,” 3-31-1913, p. 4.

[35] Horton and Jackson (USGS). 1913, p. 19.

[36] Evening Telegraph, Dixon, IL. “Flood Conditions in Middle West,” 3-31-1913, p. 4.

[37] “Paducah, Ky., April 9.–The first death since the beginning of the flood occurred her last night when Gus Gott, of Pittsburg, Pa., an employe of the Illinois Central railway here, was drowned when his boat capsized in eight feet of water in the street.”

[38] “Natchez, Miss., April 29.–Eleven lives were lost in the backwater flood, reported by two rescue boats returning today from the flooded interior. The rescuers said they were forced to look on while two families were carried away by waters from house tops, because their boat was too crowded to take them on. The St. John Crevasse is a mile wide and has made an inland sea of nine parishes. Louisiana is the only State to use “parish” rather than “county.”

[39] We have conducted a newspaperarchive.com search for the time-period of March 23 to April 30, as well as an Internet search for 1913 Maryland flood and find no deaths reported.

[40] Quite possibly there were flooding deaths, but our attempt to research Michigan newspaper via newspaperarchive.com from March 23 through early April, has not yielded a reported Michigan fatality. There are many stories concerning flood deaths elsewhere, especially Ohio and Indiana.

[41] “Vicksburg, Miss., April 22.–At least two human lives were snuffed out when the Woodlawn levee broke yesterday afternoon, the known victims being an aged negro man and a boy who lived near the embankment and who were swept away without warning. Unconfirmed reports have reached here of the loss of other lives in the vicinity of the crevasse.” (Dothan Weekly Eagle, MS. “Woodlawn Break of Thousand Feet is Growing Wider.” 4-25-1913, p. 1.)

[42] Russell, Thomas H. (editor). Story of the Great Flood and Cyclone Disasters in New York State. 1913. Transcribed and contributed to newyorkroots.org by Carol Dean.

[43] While our own low-end range number is 483, we use 467 as the low end of a range in that so many sources use it and because our number is based on reporting at the time which may reflect double counting (same death noted in more than one locality), or other inaccuracies. We use our locality high-end tally, with the aforementioned caveats, in that it is not very much higher than the 500 number noted on March 30, once all unrecovered bodies were located or by the Red Cross on April 11.

[44] “Columbus, O., April 14.–Revised statistics compiled by field agents of the Red Cross, reported Friday [Apr 11], declare that 500 or more persons were drowned in Ohio in the floods of March 25.” (Palatine Enterprise, IL. “Revised Flood Death Total is 500.” 4-18-1913, p. 3.)

[45] “From best information Ohio’s flood death list is placed at 472. As the flooded rivers recede the death list gradually grows, bodies being picked out of the debris and found in the lowlands. Ultra conservatives estimates place the number of dead in this state at not more than 500.”

[46] “Columbus, O., March 29. Best obtainable information to-night placed Ohio’s flood death list at 466. As the flooded rivers recede, the death list gradually grows, bodies being picked out of the debris and found in the low lands. Ultra-conservative estimates place the number of dead in this state at not more than 500.

[47] Freeburg Tribune, IL. “List of Known Dead in Flood Districts.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

[48] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[49] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[50] We do not use 138 from the “List of Known Dead” in Columbus from the Freeburg Tribune (4-4-1913), as well as other papers, primarily because this number is not used by the Ohio Historical Society. It is possible that the Ohio Historical Society number is an approximation and includes only those victims whose bodies were recovered. We know that the bodies of some victims, such as the elderly Mrs. Mary Keys, were never found. It is also possible that this list includes double-counted individuals (names reported differently) as well as named dead who later turned up alive. There are names of “drowning” victims reported to have been discovered alive, to be found in newspaper reporting of the time.

[51] Sandusky Register, OH. “Flood News At A Glance.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[52] “Columbus, O., April 9….Red Cross advices show 87…drowned, 345 houses totally destroyed and 4,474 families driven from home here.” (Decaturs Daily, AL. “Wealthy at Indianapolis to Keep Poorer Class.” 4-9-1913, p. 2.)

[53] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[54] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[55] Powell, Lisa. “The Great Dayton Flood of 1913.” Dayton Daily News, OH, 3-25-2019. Writes: “The National Weather Service estimates the true number at somewhere between 98 and 123.”

[56] Sandusky Register, OH. “Flood News At A Glance.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[57] Given the spectacular headline and the early date of this report, we choose not to use in our tally.

[58] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[59] Freeburg Tribune, IL. “List of Known Dead in Flood Districts.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

[60] “According to a local newspaper at the time, the only loss of life was Police Captain Albert McGown, who was rescuing a marooned family when he was swept away by the whirling waters.”

[61] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[62] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[63] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[64] Not used in that the number is not supported by subsequent reporting.

[65] “With the Great Miami River bisecting the city of Hamilton, the cumulative effects of 9″ to 11″ of rainfall over the river basin resulted in over 100 deaths. It has been estimated that indirect deaths due to diseases such as cholera and typhoid resulted in dozens more deaths in the week and months following the flood.”

[66] “Hamilton, Ohio, Saturday….there would be a funeral for forty-nine victims, the number of people who had been identified. There were thirty-four more victims still to be recognized, and there was anther reason the city had to wait until March 30. Its cemetery had been under water.” (Williams, 2013.)

[67] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[68] Freeburg Tribune, IL. 4-4-1913, p. 9. One of the victims, Joe West, 3014 Chestnut Street, “shot himself.”

[69] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[70] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[71] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[72] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[73] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[74] Midwestern Regional Climate Center. The Great Flood of 1913. “Community Profiles: Middletown, Ohio.”

[75] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[76] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[77] Not used in that the number is not supported by subsequent reporting.

[78] This number is not supported from reporting at the time. Speculate that either fatalities other than flood fatalities or a broader-than-Piqua area were counted.

[79] Sandusky Register, OH. “Flood News At A Glance.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[80] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[81] The 19-20 number comes from subheading. Within narrative it is written: “For a town with a population of only 12,000 at least 19 know lives were lost, though some estimates put the total closer to 30.”

[82] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[83] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[84] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[85] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[86] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[87] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1.

[88] Wenter, Tami. “1913 Flood causes train wreck in West Liberty.” Weekly Currents, 8-8-2016. Notes “the railroad bridge south of West Liberty was weakened by the flood waters and collapsed under the weight of a Penn Locomotive, as well as a Pullman sleeper, and fell into the raging waters at 1 a.m. “The only life lost because of the train accident was that of Elwood Howell of Columbus, the Brakeman. His body was found twenty four hours later lodged against a farm fence near Pimtown Road.

[89] Not using — not in keeping with other reports.

[90] Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “Revised Estimate of Ohio’s Dead.” 3-30-1913, p. 1

[91] “The city was paralyzed by the worst natural disaster it had ever faced. Electric service and light were out, most railroad service into the city was suspended, streetcar service was stopped, many homes and businesses suffered considerable damage to their basements and lower floors, and hundreds of people were left homeless in the chilly weather….Two people lost their lives, including policeman Tom Thomas who drowned while attempting to rescue stranded people near the Shenango Tin Mill. The other death involved a five-year-old boy who accidentally fall into the raging waters of the Neshannock Creek.”

[92] “Fifteen thousand persons at Huntington homeless from Ohio river flood. City in darkness. Two persons dead at Parkersburg. River higher than during 1884 flood.”

[93] We have conducted a newspaperarchive.com search for the time-period of March 23 to April 30, as well as an Internet search for 1913 Wisconsin flood and find no deaths reported.

[94] Unless otherwise noted, names are from: Freeburg Tribune, IL. “List of Known Dead in Flood Districts.” 4-4-1913, p. 9.

[95] The number of seven children is from The Columbus Dispatch. “In weather annals, 1913 flood stands out.” 2-9-2012. Cites Columbus Evening Dispatch of 1913 (no date).

[96] Doug Motz, past president Columbus Historical Society, in Columbusurnderground.com cites the Columbus Evening Dispatch (March 30) for a report concerning policeman Harry Keys. “He rushed home to take his 86-year old blind mother to safety. He reached her in time to het her out of her home, but stumbled in the flood damage near the swamped corner of Avondale and State streets and she was swept out his arms, never to be seen again.”

[97] Motz writes: “Green Lawn cemetery worker Floyd Lynch got his wife and three children into an improvised raft and headed to safety. On their way to dry land and refuge, the parents were suddenly thrown overboard and lost sight of the raft and their family. The parents were sadly reunited five days later at the morgue when they identified the bodies of their three children.”

[98] We have separate documents for tornadoes on March 21 and March 23. We show 48 deaths for the March 21 tornadoes in Alabama and Mississippi and 194-196 deaths for the Easter Sunday tornado outbreak in Louisiana, Missouri and especially Indiana, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska.