1924 — Dec 24-29, Coldwaves/Winter Weather-related deaths, esp. IL/12 and OH/9 –51
–51 Blanchard tally based on State breakouts below.[1]
–21 Greencastle Herald, IN. “More Zero Weather Is Promised.” 12-27-1924, p. 1.
–18 Hamilton Evening Journal, OH. “Eighteen Deaths in Wake of Cold Weather,” 12-27-1924, 1.
–17 Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “Death Toll Is Seventeen.” 12-27-1924, p. 1.
–16 Associated Press. “Cold Weather Kills 16.” Anaconda Standard, MT, 12-27-1924, p. 1.
–11 AP. “60 Toll of Christmas Mishaps; Many Freeze.” Salt Lake Telegram, 12-26-1924, p. 1.
Summary of State Breakouts Below
California ( 1)
Illinois (12)
Indiana ( 3)
Iowa ( 3)
Massachusetts ( 1)
Michigan ( 5)
Nevada ( 1)
New Hampshire ( 1)
New Jersey ( 1)
New York ( 2)
Ohio ( 9)
Oregon ( 5)
Pennsylvania ( 4)
South Dakota ( 1)
Utah ( 1)
Washington ( 1)
Breakout of Coldwave and Related Fatalities by State and Locality (where noted):
California ( 1)
–1 Locality not noted, Dec 25. Electric train operator, vision obscured by smudge smoke.[2]
Colorado ( ?)
–3 Associated Press. “Cold Weather Kills 16.” Anaconda Standard, MT, 12-27-1924, p. 1.[3]
Illinois (12)
–12 Blanchard tally based on breakouts by date below.
— 4 Chicago. Dec 25-26? AP. “Cold Weather Kills 16.” Anaconda Standard, MT, 12-27-1924, 1.
— 3 Chicago, Dec 25. Exposure (“froze to death”). AP. “60 Toll of Christmas Mishaps.” Dec 26.
— 1 Chicago, Dec 25. Fall on ice. AP. “60 Toll of Christmas Mishaps.” 12-26-1924.
— 6 Chicago, Dec 26-28. UP. “Much Suffering…Sub-Zero…” Freeport Journal-Standard, 12-29-1924, 1.[4]
— 3 Chicago, Dec 27. Daily Illini, Urbana-Champaign, IL. “Zero Weather Prevails…” 12-28-1924, 1.[5]
— 4 East St. Louis area, Dec 25-26. Fires “started by overheated stoves.”[6]
— 1 Kaneville area. Dec 27 report. Air mail pilot lost in snowstorm jumps; parachute fails.[7]
— 1 Streator, Dec 28. Froze to death in baggage car, train out of Chicago; unidentified male.[8]
Indiana ( 3)
–1 Indianapolis, Dec 28. AP. “12 Deaths Added to Winter’s Toll,” Alton…Telegraph, 1-29-1924, 1.
–1 Lafayette, Dec 24. Slips on icy sidewalk, fracturing skull; John Sullivan, 48.[9]
–1 Straughn area, Dec 24. Automobile skids on icy road into ditch; Richard Esky, 40.[10]
Iowa ( 3)
–1 Clinton area, Dec 27. Farmer “found frozen to death this morning in his car…” John T. McDonald.[11]
–1 Mahaska County, Dec 28? Exposure; elderly “inmate” at “the poor farm…” Elizabeth Hurt.[12]
–1 Walcott, Dec 27 reporting. “…frozen rigid in his bed.” John Frauen, elderly hermit.[13]
Massachusetts (1)
–1 North Hanover, Dec 29. “Frozen to death…” Found next to auto with flat tire; Frank H. Illsley, 52.[14]
Michigan ( 5)
–1 Allegan area, Dec 25. Hypothermia; recluse found dead in his shack; Wilbur Clark, 84.[15]
–1 Calumet area, Dec 25. Exposure; found frozen 50-ft from cabin after snow storm; Matt Loyza, 60.[16]
–1 Carney, Dec 25 a.m. Exposure; too much to drink, could not finish walk home; Mrs. John Kachinsky.[17]
–1 Detroit, Dec 28. Froze to death within a few meet of his home; unnamed man.[18]
–1 Painesdale, Dec 25. Exposure; miner lost his way home in snow storm; Andrew Harnaia, 35.[19]
Montana ( ?)
–1 Hamilton Evening Journal, OH. “Eighteen Deaths in Wake of Cold Weather,” 12-27-1924, p. 1.[20]
Nevada ( 1)
–1 Reno. Dec 28. AP. “12 Deaths Added to Winter’s Toll,” Alton Evening Telegraph, 1-29-1924, 1.
New Hampshire ( 1)
–1 Hanover, Dec 28. UP. “Cold Wave About Done.” De Kalb Chronicle, IL, 12-29-1924, 1.[21]
New Jersey ( 1)
–1 Scotch Plains, Dec 26 (body found). Froze to death; unidentified man.[22]
New York ( 2)[23]
–1 East Olean, Dec 24. Pedestrian hit by train “in the height of a snow storm…” Nelson Jimerson, 52.[24]
–1 NYC, Dec 29. Man found frozen to death “huddled under a stairway in a tenement house…”.[25]
Ohio ( 9)
–9 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts of reported weather related fatalities.[26]
–5 Canton Daily News, OH. “Wintry Blasts Sweep State, Mercury Falls…Five Are Dead.” 12-28-1024, 1.
–4 Hamilton Evening Journal, OH. “Eighteen Deaths in Wake of Cold Weather,” 12-27-1924, p. 1.
–3 AP. “60 Toll of Christmas Mishaps; Many Freeze.” Salt Lake Telegram, 12-26-1924, p. 1.
–1 Bellaire, Dec 25, Carbon monoxide poisoning; Fred Mascioviechi.[27]
–1 Cleveland. Burns from clothes fire; woman “when she stood too close to an open grate.”[28]
–1 Cleveland. Smoke inhalation; woman when “overheated stove set fire to her home…”[29]
–1 Justus area, Dec 28. “…frozen body…found in a chicken coop on his farm…” Ulysses Vioblet, 72.[30]
–2 Lima. Carbon monoxide poisoning; two men “closed up every crevice of their rooms…”[31]
–1 New Straitsville. Coal miner “found frozen to death on the bank of a creek.” Edward Lynch.[32]
–1 Pomeroy, Dec 25. Burned to death “trying to keep warm” — Edward Pomeroy.[33]
–1 Sharon, Dec 25. Burned to death “trying to keep warm” — Mrs. Hannah Ramsey.[34]
Oregon ( 5)
–2 Eugene, Dec 25. Drownings; brothers playing on thin ice; Clark and Stacey Swanson, 10 & 12.[35]
–3 Portland, Dec 28. AP. “12 Deaths Added to Winter’s Toll,” Alton Evening Telegraph, 1-29-1924, 1.
Pennsylvania ( 4)
–1 Philadelphia, Dec 28. UP. “Cold Wave About Done.” De Kalb Chronicle, IL, 12-29-1924, 1.
–1 Pittsburgh, Dec 26. Clothing caught fire from open grate; Helen Bradley, 16.[36]
–1 Pittsburgh, Dec 26. Carbon monoxide poisoning; fell asleep/gas fire burning; Albert Mousiainew.[37]
–1 Santiago, near Pittsburgh, Dec. 26. Slipped on icy steps; Joseph Andrient.[38]
South Dakota ( 1)
–1 Chalk Butte area, Dec 26 report. Rancher “found frozen to death in his home…” John Dempsey.[39]
Texas ( ?)
–1 AP. “60 Toll of Christmas Mishaps; Many Freeze.” Salt Lake Telegram, 12-26-1924, p. 1.[40]
Utah ( 1)
–1 Delta, Dec 25. Slipped and fell on icy sidewalk; froze to death; James Wilchen, 72.[41]
Washington ( 1)
–1 Tacoma. Dec 28. AP. “12 Deaths Added to Winter’s Toll,” Alton Evening Telegraph, 1-29-1924, 1.
Narrative Information
Dec 26: “Chicago, Dec. 26. (By A.P.)–More than sixty persons were killed, upward of half a hundred were injured and fifteen others are missing as the result of an unusual number of accidents Christmas eve and Christmas day. In addition to the loss of life, fires, many of them resulting from over heating due to the zero Christmas weather in some sections of the country, caused a heavy property loss….Two men were frozen to death in Chicago’s five below zero Christmas weather, a policeman was killed as the result of a fall [on ice]….
“Chicago, Dec. 26.–Partial relief from sub-zero temperatures that brought the coldest Christmas in years, was promised today to the middlewest, while lowered temperatures were forecast for the east, and the far west, gripped by cold that necessitated the use of smudges to protect the citrus crop, already seriously damaged.
“Eleven deaths, four of them in Chicago, three in Ohio, two in Oregon, and one each in Texas and California, were the result of the cold. Three of the Chicagoans were frozen, and the fourth, a policeman, was fatally injured in a fall on the ice.
“Christmas frost resulted in the estimated destruction of ten percent of the citrus crop in the Los Angeles district. Ice in the Columbia river interrupted navigation. Nevada and Utah had a close race for Christmas’ lowest mercury. Elko, Nev., thermometers registered 48 and Huntsville, near Ogden, Utah, 49 below zero. Elsewhere in the Rockies, temperatures ranged upwards to 30 above at Phoenix, Ariz.
“Moderating weather was predicted today for the plains states and the northwest, which saw a below zero Yuletide, but cloudiness and snow flurries were expected to continue for several days west of the Mississippi.
“Chicago’s Christmas was the coldest in 52 years, and in Indianapolis it upset records back to 1878. Rock Island, Ill., had the coldest Christmas since 1914, and the Mississippi there was reported frozen to a depth of nine inches, enabling persons to walk across.
“Winds from the west today were bringing a chilling breath to the east today, with forecasts indicating lowered temperatures for the Atlantic coast, the Appalachian region and the east gulf states.” (AP. “60 Toll of Christmas Mishaps; Many Freeze.” Salt Lake Telegram, 12-26-1924, 1.)
Dec 27: Chicago, Dec. 27.–(AP)–The middlewest and northwest shivered tonight in the third severe cold wave of th season while the sub-zero front moved rapidly eastward with indications it would reach the Atlantic seaboard by tomorrow night. Neatly the entire country tonight was experiencing a post-Christmas cold spell or expected the mercury to go into a nose dive shortly although the Pacific coast reported some moderation of temperatures accompanied by rain and snow and it reported that any threatened damage to crops was past.
“Cold in middle western states and the southwest was unaccompanied by snow for the most part but a thirty mile wind added rigors of zero temperatures. Kansas City and the vicinity expected the coldest weather of the winter tonight with temperatures five to ten below….” (Decatur Sunday Review, IL. “Sub-Zero Cold Has Mid-West in Grip.” 12-28-1924, p. 1.)
Dec 29: “Chicago, Ill., Dec. 29.–After the coldest weekend in many years for some sections of the east and middle west, temperatures were rising everywhere today. The latest cold wave was broken in Atlantic coast states before it was fairly under way. Chicago and Kansas City reported warmer weather. Sunday’s [Dec 28] cold took a toll of dead, however. Six in Chicago, one in New York, one in Detroit, one in Philadelphia and one at Hanover, N.H. New records for cold were set in the Mohawk Valley in western New York. Ice floes jammed the Niagara river from the cataract to Lake Ontario. In spots the ice was 16 feet thick….” (United Press. “Cold Wave About Done.” De Kalb Daily Chronicle, IL, 12-29-1924, 1.)
California
Dec 26: “San Francisco, Dec. 26.–The Pacific northwest continued today to experience near subzero temperatures, and in California the weather bureau reported the thermometers ranged from 18 to 45 degrees above zero. Santa Rosa, Cal., reported 18 degrees above and Los Angeles 45. In San Francisco the temperature was 36….Smudge pots were worked overtime in the citrus groves of southern California to ward off the frost. Damage in the citrus belt so far has ‘not been serious’ according to the California Fruit Growers exchange announcement. The weather bureau late today issued a special bulletin that indications pointed to higher temperatures and storms along the Pacific coast within the next 36 hours.” (Associated Press. “Far Western States Again Hit By Cold.” Sioux City Journal, IA. 12-27-1924, p. 1.)
Colorado
Dec 22-25: “The first real snow storm of the winter dropped down upon the upper Arkansas valley Monday night [Dec 22] and continued all day Tuesday night the weather cleared and the thermometers began to drop rapidly, at an early hour Wednesday the reports from over the city gave varying reports of 12 to 15 degrees below, with many water pipes frozen. Thursday morning [25th] the mercury dropped to 20 degrees below, and is said to have been the coldest weather experienced in ten years, and as a result of the extreme cold, water pipes about the city are causing a great deal of trouble.” (Chaffee County Republican, Buena Vista, CO. “Cold Wave Hits Buena.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
Dec 25: “Pueblo.–Their cars frozen by a temperature of 24 degrees below zero, dozens of Colorado motorists were forced to seek protection at nearby farm houses from the bitter cold wave which swept southern Colorado, according to reports reaching here from surrounding towns.” (Colorado Transcript, Golden. “Crisp Colorado News.” 12-25-1924, p. 4.)
Illinois
Dec 28: “Vandalia, Ill., Dec. 28–The thermometer early today registered 18 degrees below zero here, the coldest this season.” (AP. “18 Below at Vandalia, Ill.” Carbondale Free Press, IL, 12-29-1924, 1.)
Dec 28-29: “After a day of sub-zero temperature, Alton forgot its shivers long enough today to be cheered by the prediction that today and tomorrow would be warmer…Yesterday temperature readings…as low as ten below zero were reported….Today’s forecast was for gradual relaxation from the cold, with snow in prospect. A cloudy Monday and Tuesday was forecast, with ‘not so cold’ for both days….” (Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. “City Shivers With Mercury at 10 Below; Rise Forecast,” 1-29-1924, p. 1.)
Dec 29: “Chicago, Dec. 29 [Monday].–With six deaths and huge property damage as its toll, the latest sub-zero wave was dispelled today. Six persons, including an 89-year-old woman, died here over the weekend [Dec 26 PM-Dec 28?] as direct results of the frigid blasts. Scores were taken to hospitals suffering injuries. Chicago’s fire department answered 358 fire alarms in less than 24 hours, most of the blazes being caused by overheated stoves and furnaces. Several firemen were killed in their work and the property loss by fire alone mounted into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Two men were shot and slightly wounded by an enraged janitor when they demanded more heat in their apartment….” (United Press. “Much Suffering Attends Sub-Zero Wave in Chicago.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 12-29-1924, p. 1.)
Indiana
Dec 24, Logansport: “A cold spell that puts to shame the first of the winter, experienced only a few days ago, arrived yesterday [Dec 24] and planted both feet firmly on the community as a Christmas present from the weather man. Zero or below was it the first time? Well, last night at Midnight, the Longcliff thermometer was showing 6 below with all the prospects in the world that the mercury might fall clear back into the bottom of the tube before daylight. Incidentally, the Longcliff thermometer showed only 11 above during the last cold snap….
“The drop in temperature came very suddenly yesterday afternoon. After a nice start with the red inks showing 23 above at noon, the air became crisp and a wind spring up that penetrated the heaviest clothing. The temperature…was still going down at last reports. It was 8 above at 6 o’clock, zero at 9 o’clock….” (Logansport Morning Press, IN. “Mercury Heads For Bottom In New Cold Snap.” 12-25-1924, p. 13.)
Dec 25, Indianapolis: “Yesterday [Dec 25], with a minimum temperature of 4 degrees below zero, was the coldest Christmas day since 1878 and the only Christmas except that of 1878 since a United States Weather Bureau was established here in 1871, with temperature lower than 2 below zero. The mercury was hovering about zero last night. A bitter northwest wind driving the frigid air in gusts up streets and avenues forced those who ventured out of doors to seek shelter. Yesterday was the first white Christmas in Indianapolis since 1916. The snow, frozen and hard, crunched under the feet of pedestrians and the wheels of milk, ice, coal and plumbers’ wagons and automobiles. Throughout the day traction and steam railroads labored under difficulty….
“Relief from the intense cold is forecast for today, however. It is expected that the mercury will start its rise at about the middle of the forenoon, dropping but little tonight….Christmas day, 1878, the mercury went to 5 below after reading at 12 below the day before….” (Indianapolis Star, IN. “Mercury Rise Is Predicted.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
Dec 26: “Greencastle was thawing out slowly yesterday [Dec 26] from the coldest Christmas day experienced here since 1878. Beginning with a temperature of 4 degrees above zero at 5:30 o’clock yesterday morning, the mercury mounted slowly until it reached 27 degrees, its highest point at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when it began to fall again.” (Greencastle Herald, IN. “More Zero Weather Is Promised.” 12-27-1924, p. 1.)
Iowa
Dec 27: “Des Moines, Dec. 27.–Another cold wave warning was broadcast by the local weather bureau today. Zero temperatures, and probably lower, was the forecast for the entire state. The maximum temperature yesterday in Des Moines was 30 degrees above while at 7 o’clock today the mercury had dropped to 4 below. Snow flurries accompanied the cold wave here.” (United Press. “Mercury Goes On Toboggan Slide.” Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. 12-27-1924, p. 1.)
Dec 28: “This morning bids fair to bring to Burlington the lowest temperature on record of the local weather observer, covering a period of nearly twenty years. At 1 o’clock the government thermometer registered 15 degrees below zero and the mercury was still falling, with indications of going several degrees lower before daybreak. If a mark lower than 20 below zero is reached, it will exceed a cold weather record established on January 5, 1924. On that day a minimum of 20 below was reached, which was the coldest that had been recorded since the local observer started functioning. The temperature yesterday and last night fell on an average of a degree an hour. The maximum of the day was reached at 11 o’clock in the morning when the mercury stood at 1 below. From that point it dropped consistently and was still going downward as the HawkEye went to press. Some thermometers registered a temperature of 18 and 20 below early this morning.” (Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Below Zero Weather Thruout Iowa.” 12-28-1924, p. 1.)
Michigan
Dec 28: “Humboldt, Mich., reported the lowest temperature in the United States yesterday [Dec 28], 50 below….In Lake Michigan, the steamer Wisconsin, carrying 60 passengers, was caught in the ice off Holland, Mich. The ferry, Pere Marquette, No. 19, was fast aground off Grand Haven, Mich., with 42 passengers.” (Associated Press. “12 Deaths Added to Winter’s Toll,” Alton Evening Telegraph, 1-29-1924, p. 1.)
Minnesota
Dec 27: “St. Paul, Minn., Dec. 27.–Temperatures in the Twin Cities this morning show a drop of fifty degrees from yesterday’s high. The reading at 7 a.m. was 20 below zero. Yesterday at 1 p.m. thermometers showed 30 above zero.” (United Press. “Mercury Goes On Toboggan Slide.” Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. 12-27-1924, p. 1.)
Missouri
Dec 29: “St. Louis, Dec. 29–An official temperature reading of 8 degrees below zero recorded the coldest weather of the winter here yesterday. The absence of wind emphasized the bitter, stinging cold…” (AP. “Mercury San to 10 Below [Carbondale] on Saturday Night.” Carbondale Free Press, IL, 12-29-1924, 1.)
Montana
Dec 26: “Great Falls, Dec. 26.–The main line of the Great Northern railway was again blocked in the Glacier park region today by the drifting of snow into the cuts through which trains were released last week. Eastbound trains were turned around west of the blockade and sent back to Spokane and the Pacific coast and westbound trains were returned east from Havre and Shelby. The blockade was simultaneous with a sharp drop in temperature and a heavy snowstorm, which continued intermittently during the day. In Great Falls the thermometer had dropped 30 degrees, to about zero at 6 o’clock in the evening, but reports from the north were that much lower temperatures were being experienced there.” (Associated Press. “Cold Weather Kills 16.” Anaconda Standard, MT, 12-27-1924, p. 1.)
Nebraska
Dec 27: “Omaha, Neb., Dec 27.–The third cold wave within two weeks struck Nebraska this morning, sending the thermometers down thirty to forty degrees from high readings of yesterday. The mercury here this morning was 4 degrees below.” (United Press. “Cold Wave Hits Nebraska.” Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. 12-27-1924, p. 1.)
Nevada
Dec 26: “Reno, Dec. 26.–With Halleck reporting 60 degrees below zero and with its neighbor, Deeth, reporting 59, Nevada continued to lay claim to the cold record of the West today. At Elko the temperature was 40 below, and at Reno the mercury registered one above for the day’s lowest.” (Associated Press. “Cold Weather Kills 16.” Anaconda Standard, MT, 12-27-1924, p1.)
New York
Dec 25-26: “Buffalo, Dec. 26. Western New York, for the most part under clear skies, today was swept by a gale which churned a heavy fall of snow already on the ground into the semblance of a blizzard. The Christmas cold and storm conditions reached a climax this morning when the thermometer registered the lowest temperature for the season. A temperature of six degrees above zero was registered in Buffalo during the night, rising slightly after daybreak. Western New York generally experienced the coldest Christmas in 50 years. Twenty-six inches of snow and a temperature of four below zero were reported from Somerdale, 10 miles from Mayville.
“Motor traffic on highways out of Buffalo was seriously handicapped today. The snow fall of the past several days, ranging from one to two feet, dry and powdery in the near zero temperature, was piled in huge drifts in many of the roads. The Lake Shore road was dotted with stalled cars. Genesee county roads were blocked. Drifts four feet deep were reported on the Oakfield-Medina highway. Trolley and railroad service outside the city was interfered with. The Pennsylvania railroad reported heavy snow in the vicinity of Chaffee, which blocked trains. New York Central trains averaged 15 minutes behind time. Lackawanna tracks were blocked by drifts 25 miles out of Buffalo, but snow plows were forced through before serious delays had occurred. Trolley service to Lake Erie was practically suspended, and service to Lancaster and Depew was far behind schedule.
“Nelson Jamerson, of Salamanca, died in the Olean general hospital after having been struck by a Pennsylvania railroad train while crossing a railroad bridge in a snow storm at East Olean.
“Mrs. May Legelin is in a serious condition in Niagara Falls with frozen hands and feet. he said she had been struck down by thugs and left lying in the snow.” (Assoc. Press. “Four die as Fierce Blizzard sweeps Western New York.” Republican Press, Salamanca, NY, 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
Dec 26: “New York, Dec. 26.–The cold wave which inflicted the most frigid Christmas in many years upon the Middle and far West reached New York today. The rise in temperature to 23 degrees this afternoon, following a drop to 11 above zero this morning, the lowest point to which the mercury had sunk on Dec. 26 since 1872, will be only temporary, the weather bureau announced. Tonight the thermometer again to drop gradually and the weather bureau predicted that this morning’s cold breezes would probably be duplicated by tomorrow morning.” (Associated Press. “Cold Weather Kills 16.” Anaconda Standard, MT, 12-27-1924, p. 1.)
Dec 28-29: “New York, Dec. 29.–One man was found frozen to death, scores were suffering from exposure and institutions of refuge were crowded with homeless persons as the city shivered on one of the coldest December mornings [Dec 29] on record here today. Yesterday was the third coldest December New York City has experienced in half a century. Threatened Zero weather did not develop but the thermometer dropped as low as 12 above and stood at 15 above at 7 a.m. today. Temperatures as low as 26 below were registered in the Adirondacks. Rising temperatures were forecast for today and it was expected to be still warmer tomorrow.
“The man frozen to death was found huddled under a stairway in a tenement house where he had gone in search of shelter….” (United Press. “Much Suffering Attends Sub-Zero Wave in Chicago.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 12-29-1924, p. 1.)
Ohio
Dec 25-26: “Cleveland, Dec. 26 — Zero weather continued to hold Cleveland in its grip today. The weather bureau reports the last 24 hours to be the coldest in the story of weather bureau records for this time of the year…” (Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Four Dead of Cold in Ohio; Relief in 48.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
“Columbus, Dec. 26.–Below-zero temperatures which hung over Ohio Christmas Day were lifting slightly today but not enough to melt the blanket of snow which has covered the state since early in the week. At 7 a.m. the temperature in Columbus stood at one above zero and at 9 a.m. it has climbed to three above….” (Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Four Dead of Cold in Ohio; Relief in 48.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
“All records for cold weather on Christmas in Sandusky were broken Thursday when the temperature dropped to 8 degrees below zero at 9 o’clock Thursday morning, according to tabulations compiled by Weather Forecaster Cooper. The local weather bureau was established in 1877 and the coldest Christmas since that time was 3 above zero…” (Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Coldest Dec. 25 Of Record Here, Forecaster Says.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
“Toledo, Dec. 26–The temperature dropped to 9 degrees below zero here Christmas day, climbed to a high mark of 9 above when the sun came out during the afternoon and then dropped back to 5 below during the night. At 8 a.m. today the temperature was one below.” (Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Four Dead of Cold in Ohio; Relief in 48.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
Dec 28-29: “Columbus, Dec 29.–Zero temperatures, which have clutched Ohioans in their grasp for over a week, temporarily are at an end in the state, United States Weather Forecaster Alexander said today. Verification of the forecaster’s statement was borne out today as the mercury left sub-zero depths and climbed once more into the two figure column. Cold weather will continue for a few days, the report said, but it will not be of the extreme zero variety. Clouded skies will bring increasing higher temperatures and but little snow.
“Few communities in the state reported a temperature of zero or below this morning. Yesterday, however, was one of the coldest days of the winter in Ohio. Reports of temperatures ranging around 6, 8 and 10 degrees below zero were not uncommon, while Lancaster reported its low at 16. Unofficial reports from rural communities around Lima and Kenton told of temperatures even more extreme.
“The frozen body of Ulysses Vioblet, 72, was found in a chicken coop on his farm near Justus yesterday.
“Sunday morning [Dec 28] was the coldest since the memorable blizzard and extreme cold wave of 1919, and the mercury tumbled down to 14 degrees below zero at about 7:30 o’clock Sunday morning, according to U.. Weather Observer Elmer Bales…this being only two degrees above that of the coldest spot in Ohio, Lancaster — where the mercury stood at 16 below….” (Associated Press. “Forecast Materializes. Coldest Weather Felt. 14 Below in Fayette.” Washington C.H. Herald, Washington Court House, OH. 12-29-1924, p. 1.)
Pennsylvania
Dec 25-26, Kittanning: “Speedy relief from the below zero Christmas weather which gripped this section was promised shortly before noon Friday [Dec 26] by the Weather Man. According to his deduction it will be generally fair and warmer tonight with some prospect of snow. He added though that it may be colder again Saturday night. It was not only a ‘White Christmas’ but it was about the coldest within the recollection of the present generation.
“According to advices from the United States Weather Bureau at Washington never before has the weather bureau recorded such cold Christmas Day weather over such a wide area. Nine-tenths of the country was similarly affected and the holiday freeze extended as far south as Florida.
“Locally the temperature averaged close around the zero mark mostly all day Christmas. In town it was around four and five above in the morning, while in nearby rural communities it fell below zero. Early risers Christmas morning said it only began to get intensely cold about daybreak. Although the sun was out brightly for several hours it failed to warm things up much. At five o’clock in the afternoon Market street thermometers stood at five above, and strange to say they showed remarkably little change over night, standing at one above early Friday morning. On the other hand, the country districts reported a decided drop on the part of the mercury. People in the nearby rural sections who kept a close tab on the temperate say that it was 8 below zero Christmas morning at eight o’clock and 14 below at the same hour Friday morning. At ten o’clock Thursday night they state it was 8 below and for time the mercury averaged a fall of three degrees an hour.
“The Stone House district in Valley township along the Kittanning-Rural Valley road, reported 14 below Friday morning; the Slate Lick section on the Kittanning-Freeport road 10 below. The coldest point heard from was the Buffalo Camp along Buffalo Creek a short distance west of Worthington where the thermometer is said to have recorded 18 below….” (Simpsons’ Daily Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. “18 Below Zero Near Here.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
Dec 25-26: “Pittsburgh, Pa., Dec. 26.–The tri-state section–western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia–was the coldest spot of the country today, according to the local weather bureau. While other parts of the United States enjoyed temperatures only slightly lower than freezing this section shivered in a cold blast that shattered, for the second successive day, all records for the past fifty years. Suburbs in and around Pittsburgh had 7 below zero weather this morning, while in Pittsburgh it was not so cold, the thermometer registering 3 above, but the dampness and a stiff wind made the cold more penetrating. The frigid wave is due to pass tomorrow in the face of warmer breezes blowing in from the north-west.” (Altoona Mirror, PA. “Tri-State Section Is Now Country’s Coldest.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
Utah
Dec 26: “Salt Lake City, Dec. 26.–Between eight and one half and nine degrees below zero was recorded officially in Salt Lake City this morning–the lowest since February 6, 1899, when it was 10 below. James Wilchen, 72, of Delta, was frozen to death there yesterday after he slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk….
Nevada and Utah had a close race for Christmas’ lowest mercury. Elko, Nevada, thermometers registered 48 and Huntsville, near Ogden, Utah, 49 below zero. Elsewhere in the Rockies, temperatures ranged upwards to 30 above at Phoenix, Ariz….” (Burlington Gazette, IA. “New Cold Wave To Follow Slight Temperature Rise,” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
Washington
Dec 26: San Francisco, Dec 26….In Washington the minimum was 4.5 degrees below at Yakima, and in the western part of the state, Olympia, the temperature ws 24 degrees above. Residents along the Columbia river are experiencing the novelty of crossing the river on the ice for the first time in many years. The lowest temperature reported in Oregon was 10 below at Baker.” (AP. “Far Western States Again Hit By Cold.” Sioux City Journal, IA. 12-27-1924, p. 1.)
Sources
Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. “City Shivers With Mercury at 10 Below; Rise Forecast,” 1-29-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-evening-telegraph-dec-29-1924-p-1/
Altoona Mirror, PA. “Tri-State Section Is Now Country’s Coldest.” 12-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/altoona-mirror-dec-26-1924-p-1/
Anaconda Standard, MT. “Two Deaths in Iowa From Extreme Cold.” 1-28-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anaconda-standard-dec-28-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “12 Deaths Added to Winter’s Toll,” Alton Evening Telegraph, 1-29-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-evening-telegraph-dec-29-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “18 Below at Vandalia, Ill.” Carbondale Free Press, IL, 12-29-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/carbondale-free-press-dec-29-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “60 Toll of Christmas Mishaps; Many Freeze.” Salt Lake Telegram, 12-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-telegram-dec-26-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “Cold Weather Kills 16.” Anaconda Standard, MT, 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anaconda-standard-dec-27-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “Far Western States Again Hit By Cold.” Sioux City Journal, IA. 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sioux-city-journal-dec-27-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “Forecast Materializes. Coldest Weather Felt. 14 Below in Fayette.” Washington C.H. Herald, Washington Court House, OH. 12-29-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-c-h-herald-dec-29-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “Four die as Fierce Blizzard sweeps Western New York.” Republican Press, Salamanca, NY, 12-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salamanca-republican-press-dec-26-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “Glass Low in New England.” Portsmouth Herald, NH, 12-29-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-herald-dec-29-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “Mercury San to 10 Below on Saturday Night.” Carbondale Free Press, IL, 12-29-1924, 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/carbondale-free-press-dec-29-1924-p-1/
Associated Press. “Three Deaths From Cold Are Reported in Michigan State.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-dec-27-1924-p-1/
Bradford Era, PA. “Many Deaths Caused By Cold Weather Are Reported In Midwest.” 12-27-1924, p. 10. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bradford-era-dec-27-1924-p-10/
Burlington Gazette, IA. “Man Freezes to Death.” 12-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-burlington-gazette-dec-26-1924-p-1/
Burlington Gazette, IA. “New Cold Wave To Follow Slight Temperature Rise,” 12-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-burlington-gazette-dec-26-1924-p-1/
Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Below Zero Weather Thruout Iowa.” 12-28-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-dec-28-1924-p-1/
Canton Daily News, OH. “Wintry Blasts Sweep State, Mercury Falls…Five Are Dead.” 12-28-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/canton-daily-news-dec-28-1924-p-1/
Colorado Transcript, Golden. “Crisp Colorado News.” 12-25-1924, p. 4. Accessed 1-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/golden-colorado-transcript-dec-25-1924-p-4/
Daily Review Atlas, Monmouth, IL. “Death Rides on Fast Santa Fe Train Sunday Morning.” 12-29-1924, p.10. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monmouth-review-atlas-dec-29-1924-p-10/
Decatur Sunday Review, IL. “Sub-Zero Cold Has Mid-West in Grip.” 12-28-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-review-dec-28-1924-p-1/
Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Leaves Woman To Perish In Public Road.” 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-dec-27-1924-p-1/
Greencastle Herald, IN. “More Zero Weather Is Promised.” 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greencastle-herald-dec-27-1924-p-1/
Hamilton Evening Journal, OH. “Eighteen Deaths in Wake of Cold Weather,” 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hamilton-evening-journal-dec-27-1924-p-1/
Indianapolis Star, IN. “Mercury Rise Is Predicted.” 12-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indianapolis-star-dec-26-1924-p-1/
Logansport Morning Press, IN. “Another Victim.” 12-25-1924, p. 13. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-morning-press-dec-25-1924-p-13/
Logansport Morning Press, IN. “Falls On Ice: Fatally Hurt.” 12-25-1924, p. 13. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-morning-press-dec-25-1924-p-13/
Logansport Morning Press, IN. “Mercury Heads For Bottom In New Cold Snap.” 12-25-1924, p. 13. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-morning-press-dec-25-1924-p-13/
Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. “One Dead In Detroit.” 12-29-1924, p. 2. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oskaloosa-daily-herald-dec-29-1924-p-2/
Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. “Victim of Snow Storm.” 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oskaloosa-daily-herald-dec-27-1924-p-1/
Portsmouth Herald, NH. “Frozen While Changing Tire.” 12-29-1924, p. 2. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-herald-dec-29-1924-p-2/
Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “Death Toll Is Seventeen.” 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/reno-evening-gazette-dec-27-1924-p-1/
Simpsons’ Daily Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. “18 Below Zero Near Here.” 12-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kittanning-simpsons-daily-leader-times-dec-26-1924-p-1/
Sioux City Journal, IA. “S.D. Rancher Found Frozen to Death.” 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sioux-city-journal-dec-27-1924-p-1/
Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Coldest Dec. 25 Of Record Here, Forecaster Says.” 12-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-star-journal-dec-26-1924-p-1/
Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Four Dead of Cold in Ohio; Relief in 48.” 12-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-star-journal-dec-26-1924-p-1/
United Press. “Cold Wave About Done.” De Kalb Daily Chronicle, IL, 12-29-1924, 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dekalb-daily-chronicle-dec-29-1924-p-1/
United Press. “Cold Wave Hits Nebraska.” Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oskaloosa-daily-herald-dec-27-1924-p-1/
United Press. “Mercury Goes On Toboggan Slide.” Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. 12-27-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oskaloosa-daily-herald-dec-27-1924-p-1/
United Press. “Much Suffering Attends Sub-Zero Wave in Chicago.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 12-29-1924, p. 1. Accessed 1-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/freeport-journal-standard-dec-29-1924-p-1/
[1] A review of the listings might well raise questions about the appropriateness of some. Our view is that we doubt that the press of the time were aware of all winter weather related deaths, and thus could not report what they did not know. We also do not believe we have seen accounts of every reported death.
[2] Not clear if the car hit a pedestrian, though this seems likely. (Burlington Gazette, IA. “New Cold Wave To Follow Slight Temperature Rise,” 12-26-1924, p. 1.)
[3] Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not include in our tally. We have scanned through a number of Colorado newspapers for Dec 25-28 and did not locate a report of a cold-weather related death
[4] “Six persons, including an 89-year-old woman, died here over the week-end as direct results of the frigid blasts…. Several firemen were killed in their work…most of the blazes being caused by overheated stoves and furnaces.” [Blanchard: Paper published on Monday, Dec 29. We assume weekend would be Friday night through Sunday.]
[5] “Three deaths were attributed directly or indirectly to the cold in Chicago today.”
[6] These deaths are additional to four lives lost elsewhere in Illinois. (New Castle Herald, IN. “More Zero Weather is Promised.” 12-27-1924, p. 1.)
[7] Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. “Victim of Snow Storm.” 12-27-1924, p. 1. Victim identified as Charles Gilbert.
[8] Daily Review Atlas, Monmouth, IL. “Death Rides on Fast Santa Fe Train Sunday Morning.” 12-29-1924, p. 10. Notes that the 90-mile ride from Chicago to Streator was “through sub-zero weather…”
[9] Logansport Morning Press, IN. “Falls On Ice: Fatally Hurt.” 12-25-1924, p. 13.
[10] Logansport Morning Press, IN. “Another Victim.” 12-25-1924, p. 13.
[11] United Press. “Mercury Goes On Toboggan Slide.” Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. 12-27-1924, p. 1.
[12] Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. “Wandered From Home and Died of Exposure.” 12-29-1924, p. 1. Minus 30°.
[13] Anaconda Standard, MT. “Two Deaths in Iowa From Extreme Cold.” 1-28-1924, p. 1.
[14] Portsmouth Herald, NH. “Frozen While Changing Tire.” 12-29-1924, p. 2. [Blanchard note: while this is reported as a case of freezing to death, it might possibly be a case of a heart attack while changing a tire in very cold temp.
[15] AP. “Three Deaths From Cold Are Reported in Michigan State.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 12-27-1924, p. 1.
[16] AP. “Three Deaths From Cold Are Reported in Michigan State.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 12-27-1924, p. 1.
[17] Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Leaves Woman To Perish In Public Road.” 12-27-1924, p. 1. Notes the husband and wife had been to a Christmas Eve dinner with a neighbor and the wife had too much to drink to make it the one and a quarter miles back home. The husband “left her lying in the snow alongside the road in below zero temperature, while he went home after a horse and buggy.” By the time he was finally able to get to her with a sled, four to five hours later, she had frozen.
[18] Oskaloosa Daily Herald, IA. “One Dead In Detroit.” 12-29-1924, p. 2.
[19] AP. “Three Deaths From Cold Are Reported in Michigan State.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 12-27-1924, p. 1.
[20] Not including in tally because the only exposure or cold weather-related death we located in looking through a number of Montana papers was of a man who was thought to have frozen to death around Dec 20.
[21] Have not located details. It was cold. In Woodsville, NH, for example, it was reported that on the 28th the temperature was 18° below zero. (AP. “Glass Low in New England.” Portsmouth Herald, NH, 12-29-1924, 1.)
[22] Bradford Era, PA. “Many Deaths Caused By Cold Weather Are Reported In Midwest.” 12-27-1924, p. 10.
[23] We have a separate file of 15-20 carbon monoxide poisoning deaths which occurred in New York City Dec 27-29. Some of these were probably related to the steep drop in temperatures.
[24] AP. “Four die as Fierce Blizzard sweeps Western New York.” Republican Press, Salamanca, NY, 12-26-1924, p.1. [Blanchard note: article title notes four deaths; three, however, were result of Washington hotel fire in North Tonawanda, which appears unrelated to cold wave.]
[25] United Press. “Much Suffering Attends Sub-Zero Wave…” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 12-29-1924, p. 1.
[26] It is not clear from a reading of the Canton Daily News that all the deaths they report occurred on Dec 25.
[27] Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Four Dead of Cold in Ohio; Relief in 48.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.
[28] Canton Daily News, OH. “Wintry Blasts Sweep State, Mercury Falls…Five Are Dead.” 12-28-1924, p. 1.
[29] Canton Daily News, OH. “Wintry Blasts Sweep State, Mercury Falls…Five Are Dead.” 12-28-1924, p. 1.
[30] Associated Press. “Forecast Materializes. Coldest Weather Felt. 14 Below in Fayette.” Washington C.H. Herald, Washington Court House, OH. 12-29-1924, p. 1.
[31] “…in an effort to shut out cold.” Canton News, OH. “Wintry Blasts Sweep State…Five…Dead.” 12-28-1924, 1.
[32] Canton Daily News, OH. “Wintry Blasts Sweep State, Mercury Falls…Five Are Dead.” 12-28-1924, p. 1.
[33] Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Four Dead of Cold in Ohio; Relief in 48.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.
[34] Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Four Dead of Cold in Ohio; Relief in 48.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.
[35] Associated Press. “60 Toll of Christmas Mishaps; Many Freeze.” Salt Lake Telegram, 12-26-1924, p. 1.
[36] “Pittsburgh, Pa., Dec. 26–Three deaths in Pittsburgh today were attributed to the zero weather.” (Bradford Era, PA. “Many Deaths Caused By Cold Weather Are Reported In Midwest.” 12-27-1924, p. 10.)
[37] Bradford Era, PA. “Many Deaths Caused By Cold Weather Are Reported In Midwest.” 12-27-1924, p. 10.
[38] Bradford Era, PA. “Many Deaths Caused By Cold Weather Are Reported In Midwest.” 12-27-1924, p. 10.
[39] Sioux City Journal, IA. “S.D. Rancher Found Frozen to Death.” 12-27-1924, p. 1.
[40] Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not include in our tally. Have scanned through a number of Texas newspapers covering this time-frame and did not see reporting of a cond-wave or blizzard-related death.
[41] Burlington Gazette, IA. “Man Freezes to Death.” 12-26-1924, p. 1.