1927 — April 19, Tornadoes, central IL, esp. Greene, Logan, Sangamon counties, IL  —   24

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-26-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–24  Blanchard. Tally from listing of named fatalities, including later deaths from injuries.

–23  United Press. “Bury Storm Dead Today.” Dekalb Daily Chronicle, IL. 4-21-1927, p. 1.

–22  AP. “22 Killed, 100 Injured in Central Illinois Tornado.” Decatur Daily Review, IL. 4-20-1927, p1.

–22  Decatur Daily Review, IL. “Central Illinois Tornado Toll.” 4-20-1927, p. 1. (all named)

–21  Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 272 and 808.

–11  Calhoun, Green, Macoupin, Morgan, Sangamon Counties, IL. (Grazulis 1993, 808.)

–10  Sangamon, Logan, Dewitt, McLean, Ford Counties, IL.  (Grazulis 1993, 272.)

Narrative Information

April 20, AP: “Springfield, Ill., April 20 – (A.P.) – Line squalls Tuesday that extended from Green county, one striking southeastward, the other northeastward, left 22 known dead, nine probably fatally injured and about 100 less seriously hurt. Property damage in the five counties where deaths occurred and in half a dozen others which felt its force in diminished violence, was roughly estimated at $1,000,000, Many buildings, large in farming communities, were destroyed, and considerable crop damage was done.

“In Greene county, almost directly north of St. Louis, nine were killed. Another death resulted a few miles west in Calhoun county. One arm of the wind reached into Bond county where one life was lost.

“The main squalls, however, bounded northeastward, taking four lives in Sangamon county and four more in Logan.

“Most of central and northern Illinois, as well as a part of Indiana, felt the wrath of the high wind. Damage was reported nearly as far north as Milwaukee, Wis.

In Greene County.

“The Greene county toll was distributed in four small communities. Ann Keller, teacher of the Centerville school near Carrollton, lost her life when caught under debris, although none of her pupils was killed. At Wright, four died, including a mother and her baby, while three others met death at Woodyville and another death occurred at Athensville.

Sangamon County.

“Sangamon county had three deaths, at Buffalo Hart – two men and an infant. One was killed at Loami, where five persons also were reported seriously injured.

“Two school children were killed at Chestnut, Logan county, while a father and son lost their lives at Mt. Pulaski.

“Clarence Gallagher, principal of the Chestnut school, marched his 80 pupils from the second floor to the first where they huddled while the wind tore away the upper floor. The two pupils killed were struck by flying bricks as they dashed from the building.

….

“Cornland and Buffalo Hart virtually were leveled. At Cornland two grain elevators were all that remained. Starr Center in Calhoun county was flattened. Roads in many places were impassible because of fallen trees.” (Associated Press. “22 Killed, 100 Injured in Central Illinois Tornado.” Decatur Daily Review, IL. 4-20-1927, p.1.)

April 20, Decatur Daily Review: “Central Illinois Tornado Toll…Dead.” [We arrange by county.]

Adams County            (3)

            –3  Woodyville. Eldon Rothegger, 40; Freed Thorpe; Lingus Bushneil.

Calhoun County          (2)

            –1  Hardin. Edward Wilkinson.

            [–1  Hardin. Miss Louise Walters died of injuries in hospital April 21.][1]

[Dewitt County           (1)

            –1  Clinton area. Fred Thorpe, farmer, in hospital from injuries.][2]

Greene County            (6)

–1  Athensville. E. M. Piper, 60. [AP reported alive April 21, Moline Daily Dispatch.]

–1  Dayton Hollow. Cyrus Bushnell.

–5  Wrights.

–2  Mrs. Elmer Flowers, 22, and her 3-year-old baby;

–1  W. L. Nettles, 50;

–1  Mrs. W. L. Nettles, 50;

–1  Anna Keller, 24.

Logan County             (7)

            –2  Chestnut. Robert Bakre and Murray Goodin.

–3  Cornland. Frank McCue, 50, and Mildred McIntyre, 16 months. Clark Gaffney.

            –2  Mounty Pulaski. Henry Mattingly, 70, and Henry Mattingly, Jr., 35.

Sangamon County      (5)

            –3  Buffalo Hart.

–1  Charles Crabtree, 50;

–1  Harold Hardy, 5.

–1  [Everett Eugene Hardy, 6 weeks old; son of Lewis Hardy of Buffalo Hart.][3]

–1  Brandon (infant).

–1  Laomi. Effie Moore.

Sources

Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. “Second Victim of Tornado at Hardin is Dead.” 4-22-1927, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-evening-telegraph-apr-22-1927-p-1/

Associated Press. “22 Killed, 100 Injured in Central Illinois Tornado.” Decatur Daily Review, IL. 4-20-1927, p1. Accessed 2-26-2025: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-review-apr-20-1927-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cyclone Causes More Deaths in Illinois Towns.” Moline Daily Dispatch, IL. 4-21-1927, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moline-daily-dispatch-apr-21-1927-p-1/

Associated Press. “Two Names Added Storm Death List.” Centralia Evening Sentinel, IL. 4-21-1927, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2025: https://newspaperarchive.com/centralia-evening-sentinel-apr-21-1927-p-1/

Decatur Daily Review, IL. “Central Illinois Tornado Toll.” 4-20-1927, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-review-apr-20-1927-p-1/

Decatur Daily Review, IL. “One Fatality Follows Tornado Through Dewitt.” 4-21-1927, p. 11. Accessed 2-26-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-review-apr-21-1927-p-11/

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.

United Press. “Bury Storm Dead Today.” Dekalb Daily Chronicle, IL. 4-21-1927, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dekalb-daily-chronicle-apr-21-1927-p-1/

[1] Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. “Second Victim of Tornado at Hardin is Dead.” 4-22-1927, p. 1.

[2] Decatur Daily Review, IL. “One Fatality Follows Tornado Through Dewitt.” 4-21-1927, p. 11.

[3] Associated Press. “Two Names Added Storm Death List.” Centralia Evening Sentinel, IL. 4-21-1927, p. 1.