1933 — Dec 25-29, Snows/coldwave, Northern states down to WV, East down to NC — <150

lornajarrettblanchard December 20, 1933

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 12-21-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–150 United Press. “East Gripped in Cold Wave; Storm Kills 150.” Daily Independent, 12-29-1933, 1.[1]

–145 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p1.

–142 Syracuse Herald, NY. “Another Cold Wave Moving Toward East,” Dec 28, 1933, p. 5.

–125 Moorhead Daily News, MN. “Mercury Hits 29 Below Again…” 12-28-1933, p. 1.

–115 Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Cold Wave Loosens Icy Grip…” 12-27-1933, p. 1.[2]

–107 Blanchard tally (high end of range) based upon State and DC breakouts below.

–100 AP. “Storm Causes 100 Fatalities,” Centralia Daily Chronicle, WA. 28 Dec 1933, 1.[3]

— 89 Blanchard tally (low end of range) based upon State and DC breakouts below.

Blanchard note: Though our own range is from 89-107 deaths based on attempts to locate individual deaths, we nonetheless show <150 (up to 150) based on the United Press account of December 29 which notes: “Deaths from exposure and accidents directly attributed to the weather totaled more than 150 since the storm began Christmas Day.” This sounds fairly definitive, though none of the reports of 100 to 150 deaths above provide state or cause of death breakouts.

We have seen reporting that appeared to include vehicular accident which were not identified as specifically weather related, such as the many vehicular accidents that occurred Christmas Day. Same goes for fire deaths. The appearance is given in some accounts, that if a fire death occurred during this cold wave, it was included in a grand total. We also suspect that some reporting may have included flooding and avalanche deaths in the Northwest (Dec 20-25) which are the subject of another entry.

There are also reasons, however, to suspect that 150 deaths is not far-fetched and that there might have been some undercounting. For example I have noted but two homeless deaths, and I suspect there were others. Additionally this was during the great depression and I suspect that there were deaths among the elderly in poorly heated abodes not reported in the press.

Summary of State Breakouts Below

Connecticut ( 1) Minnesota ( 6-10)

District of Columbia ( 1) New Jersey ( 1)

Illinois (15-21) New York ( 10)

Indiana ( 11) Ohio ( 6)

Iowa ( 2-7) Oklahoma ( 1)

Massachusetts ( 13) Pennsylvania ( 14)

Michigan ( 5-8) Wisconsin ( 3) Grand total: 89-107

Breakout of Winter Snow and Cold Related Deaths by State:

Connecticut ( 1)

— 1 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p.1.

District of Columbia ( 1)

–1 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p.1.

–1 Dec 28. Apparent exposure, Man identified as “Lindsey” found frozen. Seventh St. porch.[4]

Illinois (18-21)

–21 UP. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p.1.

–18 Chicago. AP. “Storm Causes 100 Fatalities,” Centralia Daily Chronicle, WA. 12-28-1933, p.2.

–15 Chicago. Exposure.[5]

–12 Chicago. Exposure. AP. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation: Scores Die.” Oakland Tribune. 12-27-1933, p.1.

— 4 Chicago Dec 26. Exposure.[6]

— 1 Chicago, Dec 26. Man struck by train “which he failed to see in the blinding snow.”[7]

Indiana (11)

–12 AP. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation: Scores Die.” Oakland Tribune, CA. 12-27-1933, p. 1.

–4 Exposure.

–8 “drowned in a Lake Michigan storm yesterday…” (4, though, in MI waters.)

–11 Blanchard tally based on locality and cause breakouts below.

–10 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p1.

–10 UP. “Cold Wave Subsides, But…” Vidette- Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. 12-28-1933, p. 1.

–4 Drownings during a storm on Lake Michigan off IN.

–2 Exposure, men (frozen to death).

–2 Heart attacks “caused by the cold.”

–1 Burned to death in shack from overheated stove.

–1 Hit by car as victim walked away from his own car which had frozen up.

— 1 Anderson, Dec 26. Coroner: “…death was due to a heart attack caused by the extreme cold.”[8]

— 1 Frankfort, Dec 26. Exposure after falling off trestle; Frank Benefiel, 73.[9]

— 1 Gary, Dec 28. Apparent exposure; Frank Griffin, 56, found on Fillmore St. sidewalk.[10]

— 4 Off Michigan City, Lake Michigan. Fishing smack Martha capsized.[11]

— 1 Rochester, Dec 26. Apparent exposure; body of William Good, 72, found outside home.[12]

— 1 Wabash, Dec 26. “Exertion from a mile walk through a snowstorm.” Zena Shambaugh, 79.[13]

— 1 Locale not noted. Burned to death in shack from overheated stove.[14]

— 1 Locale not noted. Hit by car as victim walked away from his car which had frozen up.[15]

Iowa (2-7)

–7 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p1.

–1 Exposure, Dec 25. Slipped on sidewalk and knocked unconscious; M. K. Killien, 65.[16]

–1 Vehicular, Dec 25. Car hits wrecker from behind; slippery road hindered stopping in time.[17]

Massachusetts (13)

–13 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

—>7 Exhaustion. AP. “Scores Reported Dead as Storms Sweep Country.” Freeport, 12-27-1933.[18]

— 4 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p1.

— 2 Boston, Dec 29. “Two persons died of cold…”[19] (Apparently refers to two of the below.)

— 1 Boston, Dec 29. Fire from overturned oil stove used to warm room; Mrs. Irene Franklin, 83.[20]

— 1 Boston, Dec 29. Bus mounting snow bank crosses sidewalk into provision store killing one.[21]

— 1 Boston, Dec 30. Peter J. Nelson, 45, found frozen to death on floor of home.[22]

— 1 Brookline, South Station. Cause of death not noted; Charles C. Barton, 63.[23]

— 1 Dorchester district of Boston. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; Arthur J. Brasee, 59.[24]

— 1 Hingham. Found dead in bed; med. examiner said death was directly attributable to the cold.[25]

— 1 Newton. Heart attack shoveling snow; John F. Herlilay (unclear), 55.[26]

— 2 Rehoboth. Car and coal truck collide. Mrs. Margaret MacTwiggan, 58 and E. Alanson Thayer.[27]

— 1 Somerville. Apparent heart attack; collapsed after walking half a mile; William C. Robertson.[28]

— 1 Somerville. Exposure or heart attack? Charles H. Wood, 71 found in snowbank.[29]

— 2 Springfield. “dropped dead after trudging through the snow.” George H. Allen, 60, and George Rowe.[30]

Michigan (5-8)

–8 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p1.

–1 Detroit. Exposure. William McCann, 38, found frozen to death on home back porch.[31]

–4 South Haven, Lake Michigan. Tug Bremen capsizes.[32] In a blizzard.[33]

Minnesota (6-10)

–10 AP. “Blizzards Sweep Across Country; Mercury Plunges.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 12-27-1933, p1.

— 6 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

— 3 Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “3 Deaths…NW Swells US Cold Toll,” 12-28-1933, p.1.

— 1 Camp Ripley (CWA) neat Little Falls. “Heart attack induced by the cold.” Frank Rice.[34]

–3 Duluth area, St. Louis Bay, Lake Superior, Dec 29. Heavy plow breaks through ice.[35] See WI.

–1 Minneapolis. Exposure; unidentified man in shack on Mississippi River bank.[36]

–1 Minneapolis. Heart attack “trying to crank his frozen automobile engine.” Nels Erickson.[37]

–1 St. Paul. “Death was attributed to sustained subjection to intense cold.” Edward Sorenson, 67.[38]

–2 Winona area, Dec 26. “Auto accidents attributed to sleet storm…”[39]

New Jersey ( 1)

–1 Berkshire Evening Eagle, MA. “Relief From Cold Wave Seems Near.” 12-30-1933, p. 2.

New York (10)

–10 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

— 4 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p1.

— 1 Buffalo, Dec 29. Exposure death “where the mercury dropped to eight below.”[40]

— 1 Cohoes, Dec 27. Heart attack shoveling snow; Alfred J. Erlanger, 66.[41]

— 5 New York City. Dec 29/30. “Five deaths…recorded here…coldest day…since Feb. 1, 1920.”[42]

–1 Dec 29. Exposure; body “found frozen to death in…lee of a downtown building.”[43]

–2 Dec 29/30. Exposure. “Two men were found frozen to death…”[44]

–1 Dec 29/30. Man “collapsed in the financial district and died within…minutes.”[45]

–1 Dec 29/30, “unidentified American Indian…slipped on an icy pavement…” Died.[46]

— 1 Tonawanda, Dec 29. Man waiting in line for a CWA job collapsed and died of exposure.[47]

— 1 Troy, Dec 26. Apparent heart attack after shoveling snow; Daniel F. Daley, 60.[48]

Ohio ( 6)

–6 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p1.

–1 Dayton, Dec 26. Snow sled hit by auto killing Donald Clark, 12.[49]

–1 Evers Rd. crossing 2M E of Scotts Crossing. Car skids on icy road into path of train.[50]

–1 Findley. Truck hits auto on icy highway killing Sherman Crane, 37.[51]

–1 Hamilton, Dec 27. Exposure near Miami Riv. after non-fatal heart attack; George Ballett, 63.[52]

–1 Marietta, Dec 26. Apparent exposure on farm; James B. McPeek, 46.[53]

Oklahoma ( 1)

–1 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p. 1.

Pennsylvania (14)

–14 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–11 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p1.

— 8 AP. “Cold Weather Takes 3 More Deaths in State.” Titusville Herald, PA. 12-30-1933, p.1.

— 6 Western PA cold wave deaths.[54]

— 3 AP. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation: Scores Die.” Oakland Tribune, CA. 12-27-1933, p. 1.

— 1 Brownsville, Dec 29. Snow sled collides with truck; Frank Davidson, 9.[55]

— 1 Carlisle area, Dec 25. Unexplained injuries and exposure; Joseph F. Jackson, 18.[56]

— 1 Harmarsville, Dec 28. Snow sled runs into train; Dalton White, 8.[57]

— 1 Haysville, Dec 28. Snow sled crash into bus; George Schiemnel, 19.[58]

— 1 Jumonville, Dec 26; Found unconscious in snowdrift near mountain home; John Rankin, 74.[59]

— 1 McKeesport. Snow sled hit by automobile; John Kuseika.[60]

— 7 Philadelphia, as of Dec 30. “Philadelphia’s death toll reached seven…”[61]

–1 Dec 28. Exposure; unheated room with broken windows; Mrs. Sarah Hartzell, 92.[62]

–1 Dec 29/30. Exposure; Howard Simpson, 65.[63]

–1 Dec 29. Exposure; unheated apartment.[64]

— 1 Wickhaven, Dec 29. Exposure. Found frozen in vacant store room; John Gyure, 71. [65]

Wisconsin ( 3)

— 3 Blanchard locality breakout tally. Though we searched newspapers from Dec 26-31 we were able to locate only three specific deaths. We speculate that the larger numbers reported below from the AP and UP include auto and fire deaths which we do not include. We have seen several articles, primarily on Dec 26, on the large number of vehicular accidents over the holidays. Some of the articles noted that weather may have been involved in some, though with no specification. The same goes for mentions of fire deaths, though without any indication of a relationship with the cold weather (fires happen year round, and thus some specificity needs to be provided for us to consider a fire death cold weather related.

–21 Centralia Daily Chronicle, WA. “Storm Causes 100 Fatalities,” 12-28-1933, p. 2.

–19 AP. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation: Scores Die.” Oakland Tribune, CA. 12-27-1933, p. 1.

–15 United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p1.

— 3 Superior, Dec 28. St. Louis Bay, Lake Superior, Dec 28. Heavy plow breaks through ice.[66]

Narrative Information

Dec 26. AP. “180 Persons Dead in Accidents, Snow…Zero Weather.” Evening Star, D.C., 12-26-1933, 1:

“By the Associated Press. Snow, heavy and driven by a slashing northeast wind, descended today over most all of the eastern half of the Nation. The storm started in the early hours of the morning. It centered its intensity over West Virginia, spread over all of the Ohio Valley, reached west beyond Chicago and lashed the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to North Carolina.

“Five inches of snow was piled up in New York by 10:30 a.m., less than fur hours after the start of the storm. Commuters’ trains were delayed, air traffic was stopped. Two ferry oats brushed with minor damage.

“Chicago traffic was slowing in the face of 6.3 inches of snow with a temperature of 10 above at 9 a.m., and predictions of 10 below and continued snow tonight.

“Weather forecasters expected the storm to continue unabated through tonight and tomorrow, possibly, in one of the heaviest snows of record. Conditions over the affected area before noon were:

“Newark, N.J. – Three inches of snow and falling at the rate of 1 inch an hour. Autos and bus traffic delayed.

“Michigan – Whole State snow covered. Cold wave forecast.

“Cleveland – Three and a half inches of snow. Temperature, 20.

“Indiana – Snow general over State, with depths ranging from 1 inch in the southern section to 4 inches in the northern. Numerous traffic accidents reported.

“St. Louis, Mo. – Two inches of snow. Temperature, 22.

“Connecticut – Three to four inches of snow.

“Pennsylvania – Heavy snow general. Temperatures mild.

“Portland, Me. – Extremely cold, snow threatening.

Many Are Killed.

“Yuletide and over-the week0-end holiday accidents and the weather combined to cause a heavy loss of life in the United States, a survey revealed today. More than 180 deaths were reported, most of them due to motor car mishaps. No section of the country escaped.

“A cold blast from the Canadian Northwest sent temperatures tumbling to near and below zero in many sections of the Midwest and was blamed for at least five deaths due to exposure. Four of them were in Chicago. Eleveth, Minn., had 42 below and Rhinelander, Wis., 31 under the zero mark. Snow covered Iowa and most of Illinois, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, as well as parts of Indiana, Michigan and Missouri. One exposure death occurred in Iowa.

Dec 26, Hammond Times, IN: “The blizzard that swept into the Calumet [IN] district from the northwest Christmas day sent the mercury down to the near zero mark, disrupted traffic somewhat and caused numerous automobile smashups. Snow sweepers were placed in action last night to keep the tracks of the local street car line open. The county highway department recruited crews of workers to man the snow plows that were sent out over the county highway system….The snow blocked some county highways this morning, but officials of the department said they would be opened for traffic in a few hours. At noon today approximately four inches of snow had fallen over the district. It swirled into large drifts in the open country; but the greatest danger lay in slippery pavements. The storm is expected to abate this afternoon and evening; however, colder weather is in store for tonight and tomorrow, according to preliminary weather forecasts. The thermometer is scheduled to tumble below the zero mark tonight….” (Hammond Times, IN. “Colder Weather In Store.” 12-26-1933, p. 1.)

Dec 27. AP. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation: Scores Die.” Oakland Tribune, CA. 12-27-1933, p. 1:

“By the Associated Press. Northern States and Canada crackled today in a paralyzing sub-zero wave that broke records a half century old. As far south as Louisville, Ky., thermometers read zero, and from the Ohio Valley up to the Dakotas the mercury dallied from 10 to 27 below zero.

“Up where the cold begins, at White River, Ont., it was 56 below, and there were readings from 20 to 44 below across the Canadian prairies from Alberta to Quebec.

“It was the fourth bleak day of sub-zero temperatures in Minnesota, where the range ran from 47 below north of Duluth to 17 below at Minneapolis. Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D., stood around the stove at 27 below; Charles City, Iowa, reported 25 below, the coldest December day in 43 years, and north-western Illinois cities told of record-breaking marks of 24 and 26 below.

“Twelve Die of Cold In Chicago

“At Chicago the minimum was 9.2 degrees below, and 12 persons died of exposure. Two other victims of the cold were twin girls, 15 months old, smothered in bed with their parents who had but half a bushel of coal saved for today.

“The weather was due to moderate in the central States tonight, with more snow and then another sharp cold spell in the offing.

“New York put 28,000 men to work shoveling away its 11 inches of snow, with the mercury at 16 above.

“Indiana – Four dead of cold, in addition to eight drowned in a Lake Michigan storm yesterday; heavy snow, with temperatures down to 10 below zero.

“Ohio – Ten below at Mt. Vernon, 4 below at Cincinnati, and 2 above at Cleveland.

“Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico – Overcoats were shed in relatively balmy weather. It was 52 above at Denver this morning.

“Michigan – Fifteen below at the Soo, while Detroit was just 2 below.

“Washington, D.C. – Clear and frosty at 14 above.

“Nebraska – The mercury crossed zero, upward bound, but was promised another drop tomorrow.

“Maryland – A heavy coat of snow and ice defied the bright sun to melt it, while temperatures ranged from 6 below, in the west, to 13 above along the seaboard.

“Wisconsin – Nineteen dead of exposure, automobile or railway accidents in Wisconsin and upper Michigan in the sub-zero wave. It was 31 below at Wisconsin Rapids.

“Missouri – Civil Works jobs were abandoned in St. Louis., with streets ice clad and the mercury swelling after a bottom of 4 above; 3 above at Kansas City.

“West Virginia – Near zero weather in the north and a heavy snow blanket disrupted wire communications, but relief was anticipated with a bright sun shining. It was 10 above at Charleston.

“Pennsylvania – Five inches of snow made highways perilous, and three deaths were attributed to the weather. The mercury stopped short one degree above zero at Pittsburgh and 19 above at Philadelphia.

“Illinois – Chicago, 9.2 below, with snow forecast and then colder again; Dekalb, 24 below, the lowest in three years; Freeeport, 26 below, lowest in twenty-one years; Morris, 16 below, with motor traffic all but ceased; Champaign, 2 below.”

Dec 27-28, Southington News, CT: “The cold weather Wednesday evening [27^th] and Thursday morning hit 20 degrees below zero at 2:30 a.m. yesterday according to a record made by Night Patrolman Edmund J. Foley. The reading was made from the Southington Fire department thermometer. The town hall thermometer and that at the police booth in Plantsville registered 18 degrees below zero at that time….” (Southington News, CT. “Thermometer Registers 20 Below Zero.” 12-29-1933, p. 1, col. 2.)

Dec 28, United Press: “Another cold wave, sending temperatures back to sub-zero levels, moved southeastward today out of the Arctic….

24 Dead in Coast

“Temperatures rose slightly today from the Appalachian to the Rocky mountains, bringing some relief from the storm which caused at least 145 deaths. Hundreds of others were injured in accidents caused by the snow and ice.

“The Pacific northwest, with 24 deaths caused by the storm and floods, and the New England region, which reported 18 deaths due to the storm, suffered the most severely.

“United Press reports from other sections revealed 15 dead in Wisconsin, 21 in Illinois, 10 in Indiana, 8 in Michigan, 7 in Iowa, 15 in Minnesota and the Dakotas, 11 in Pennsylvania, 4 in New York, 4 in Massachusetts, 6 in Ohio and one each in Connecticut, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.

“Temperatures still were below normal in all sections of the United States with the exception of extreme southern states. North of Duluth, Minn., the temperature was rising after falling to 47 degrees below zero. A low of 23 degrees below was recorded at St. Paul. Winnipeg reported 47 below.” (United Press/Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p.1, col.1.)

Dec 28, Brainerd Daily Dispatch: “Minneapolis – Three deaths in the northwest during the last 36 hours resulted from the intense cold wave which lessened slightly and then started on a new dip. An unidentified man was found frozen to death near a shack on the Mississippi river bank here. Frank Rice, a CWA worker at Camp Ripley near Little Falls, Minn., died of a heart attack induced by the cold Nels Erickson of Minneapolis also died of a heart attack while trying to crank his frozen automobile engine.

“Minneapolis temperature rose to 12 above zero before plunging again to sub-zero figures expected to reach 10 to 15 below during the day….Aberdeen, S.D., reported 25 below zero; Fargo, N.D., 13 below, and Bismarck N.D., 14 below. Detroit Lakes, Minn., reported 37 below.” (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “3 Deaths…NW Swells US Cold Toll,” 12/28/1933, 1.)

Dec 29, United Press: “By United Press. Coldest winter blasts in 60 years suddenly struck the eastern seaboard today as new snowfall accompanied milder temperatures in the midwest. East of the Alleghenies temperatures plunged to 60 below zero and set new all-time records for cold in half a dozen cities. The poor and destitute, suffering from a week of blizzards and cold, faced new hardships.

“Owl’s Pass, N.Y., reported an unofficial record of 60 degrees below zero. Lake Edward, Que., had 50 below zero. New Hampshire and Maine points recorded more than 40 below zero. In Connecticut the thermometer showed more than 20 below. Upper New York state recorded 25 below zero and more in many places. At Boston a low of 17 below zero was registered at 8 a.m., the lowest mark in the 60 years the weather bureau has operated. Fears were expressed for crews of coastwise vessels forced to battle heavy seas in the frigid atmosphere. New York City had the coldest weather since 1920 when the mercury fell to 3 below zero at 9 a.m. Portland, Me., reported 18 below as did Albany, N.Y.

“The icy breath of winter sent the mercury plunging downward along the eastern seaboard today as rising temperatures in other sections brought some relief from the season’s most severe cold wave….

“The cold brought intense suffering to thousands who had insufficient clothing or fuel to keep warm. Deaths from exposure and accidents directly attributed to the weather totaled more than 150 since the storm began Christmas day….” (United Press. “East Gripped in Cold Wave; Storm Kills 150.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 12-29-1933, p.1.)

Dec 30, AP: “Boston, Dec. 30 (AP) – Bitter cold held New England tight today as the mercury dropped toward more new records. The death list mounted. Ten names have been added during the past 24 hours, bringing the total fatalities since Tuesday’s blizzard [26^th] to 35. Many resulted from heart attacks induced by over exertion. Exposure, automobile accidents, drownings, fires and coasting accidents accounted for others.

“In Boston alone nearly 2000 persons were treated for frost-bite and thousands more were treated in other New England communities. The weather in this city began to moderate after reaching 15 below at 9:30 last night and at 9 o’clock this morning it was only eight below.

“The Island of Nantucket was the first place to quit the sub-zero climate. At 8 o’clock this morning the official weather report from there read 8 above.

“The coast guard base at Woods Hole reported Buzzards Bay so solidly frozen that they were unable to penetrate her waters. It was the first time in the memory of old timers the bay has been so solidly blocked with ice.

“Dorchester Bay remained frozen over and there were six inches of ice on the Fore River at Weymouth, closing that important artery to its customary heavy traffic. The coast guard patrol boat Dix was dispatched to try to force an opening through the ice.

“The Boston Fire Department answered 99 alarms during the 24-hour period ended at 11 p.m. last night. Big fires and little kept them on the run. The blazes drove scores of families into sub zero weather. Losses were estimated at close to $100,000 and two firemen were injured in performance of their duties….

“Because of the sudden cold snap many householders have found themselves virtually out of coal unexpectedly and this has causes a flood of orders. Some dealers are forced to keep deliverymen working until 8 and 9 o’clock nights to keep up with the demand….” (Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Prevails But Warmer Weather In Sight For New England States.” The Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. 12-30-1933, p. 1.)

Sources

Altoona Mirror, PA. “Two Coasters Killed.” 12-29-1933, p. 3. Accessed 12-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/altoona-mirror-dec-29-1933-p-3/

Associated Press. “2 Coasters Meet Death. Exposure Kills One.” Somerset Daily Herald, PA. 12-30-1933, p. 5. Accessed 12-21-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-herald-dec-30-1933-p-5/

Associated Press. “2 Die Sho https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-dec-27-1933-p-1/veling Snow.” Syracuse Herald, NY. 12-27-1933, p. 1., col. 3. Accessed 12-20-2024 at:

Associated Press. “4 Killed By Slide.” Centralia Daily Chronicle, WA. 12-26-1933, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=58022417

Associated Press. “180 Persons Dead in Accidents, Snow and Zero Weather.” Evening Star, D.C., 12-26-1933, p.1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-evening-star-dec-26-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Aged Woman Refuses to Leave Her Home; Later Found Frozen To Death.” Clearfield Progress, PA. 12-28-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/clearfield-progress-dec-28-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation: Scores Die.” Oakland Tribune, CA. 12-27-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oakland-tribune-dec-27-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Prevails But Warmer Weather In Sight For New England States.” The Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. 12-30-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-berkshire-evening-eagle-dec-30-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Blizzards Sweep Across Country; Mercury Plunges.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 12-27-1933, p.1. Accessed 12-21-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-dec-27-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Break in Bitter Cold Promised for Tonight.” North Adams Transcript, MA. 12-30-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-dec-30-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cold Breaks Records Of Near Century.” Salamanca Republican-Press.” 12-29-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/salamanca-republican-press-dec-29-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cold Weather Takes 3 More Deaths in State.” Titusville Herald, PA. 12-30-1933, p.1. Accessed 12-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-dec-30-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Dozen Lives Forfeits From Xmas Mishaps.” Somerset Daily Herald, PA. 12-26-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-herald-dec-26-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Frozen To Death.” Lowell Sun, MA. 12-30-1933, p. 7. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-dec-30-1933-p-47/

Associated Press. “Mercury Sent to New Depths By Sub-Zero Weather.” The Daily Illini, Champaign-Urbana, IL. 12-30-1933, p.1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-daily-illini-dec-30-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Nation Is Under Winter’s Icy Rule.” Cincinnati Times-Star, OH.12-27-1933, p. 2. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cincinnati-times-star-dec-27-1933-p-2/

Associated Press. “New Tragedies in Bitter Cold That Hits Northern U.S.” The Morning Republican, Findlay, OH. 12-29-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/findlay-morning-republican-dec-29-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Pennsylvania Digging Out Of Heavy Drifts.” Titusville Herald, PA. 12-27-1933, p.1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-dec-27-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Scores Reported Dead as Storms Sweep Country.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 12-27-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/freeport-journal-standard-dec-27-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Second Day of Cold Wave Sees Low Records Broken.” North Adams Transcript, MA. 12-29-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-dec-29-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Storm Causes 100 Fatalities,” Centralia Daily Chronicle, WA. 12-28-1933, pp. 1-2. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=58022423

Associated Press. “Storm Takes Heavy Toll. At Least Seven Die in Bay State.” The Lowell Sun, MA. 12-27-1933, 4. Accessed 12-19-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-dec-27-1933-p-4/

Associated Press. “Unofficial Readings of 11, 20 Below.” Boone News-Republican, IA. 12-26-1933, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/boone-news-republican-dec-26-1933-p-2/

Berkshire Evening Eagle, MA. “Relief From Cold Wave Seems Near.” 12-30-1933, p. 2. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-berkshire-evening-eagle-dec-30-1933-p-2/

Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “3 Deaths in NW Swells U.S. Cold Toll; Ripley…Worker Dies.” 12-28-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-dec-28-1933-p-1/

Centralia Daily Chronicle, WA. “Storm Causes 100 Fatalities,” 28 Dec 1933, 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=53698520

Charleroi Mail, PA. “Fine Wickhaven Man Frozen To Death In Room.” 12-29-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleroi-mail-dec-29-1933-p-1/

Evening Independent, Massillon, OH. “See Break in Frigid Wave (continued from p.1).” 12-27-1933, p. 2. Accessed 12-20-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/evening-independent-dec-27-1933-p-2/

Evening Star, Washington, D.C. “Slightly Warmer Weather in Sight. Twenty…Tonight…” 12-28-1933, p. 2. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-dc-washington-evening-star-dec-28-1933-p-2/

Hamilton Journal and Daily News, OH. “First Fatality on Second Day of Cold Wave.” 12-28-1933, p. 12. Accessed 12-20-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/hamilton-daily-news-journal-dec-28-1933-p-12/

Hammond Times, IN. “Cold Causes The Death Of Gary Man.” 12-29-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-dec-29-1933-p-18/

Hammond Times, IN. “Colder Weather In Store.” 12-26-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-dec-26-1933-p-4/

Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Cold Snap Loosens Grip on This State (continued from p.1.).” 12-30-1933, p. 2. Accessed 12-21-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-dec-30-1933-p-2/

INS (International News Service). “Cold Snap…” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 12-30-1933, p. 2. Accessed 12-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-dec-30-1933-p-2/

Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Aged Man Is Frozen To Death.” 12-27-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-dec-27-1933-p-1/

Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Cold Wave Loosens Icy Grip Slightly; Relief Is Promised.” 2-27-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-dec-27-1933-p-1/

Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Freezes To Death.” 12-27-1933, p. 2. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-dec-27-1933-p-2/

Moorhead Daily News, MN. “Mercury Hits 29 Below Again…” 12-28-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-dec-28-1933-p-1/

Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “Section Held in Grip of Icy Wave (continued from p.1).” 12-28-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-morning-herald-dec-28-1933-p-8/

Southington News, CT. “Thermometer Registers 20 Below Zero.” 12-29-1933, p. 1, col. 2. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/southington-news-dec-29-1933-p-1/

Syracuse Herald, NY. “Another Cold Wave Moving Toward East,” 12-28-1933, p. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=40302585

United Press. “3 Deaths in NW Swells U.S. Cold Toll; Ripley CWA Worker Dies.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 12-28-1933, p.1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-dec-28-1933-p-1/

United Press. “Cold Wave Subsides, But…” Vidette- Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. 12-28-1933, 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/valparaiso-vidette-messenger-dec-28-1933-p-1/

United Press. “East Gripped in Cold Wave; Storm Kills 150.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 12-29-1933, p.1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/murphysboro-daily-independent-dec-29-1933-p-3/

United Press. “Four Fishermen Drowned at South Haven Tuesday.” The Evening Chronicle, Marshall, MI. 12-27-1933, p. 6. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-dec-27-1933-p-6/

United Press. “Froze To Death.” The Monessen Daily Independent, PA. 12-27-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monessen-daily-independent-dec-27-1933-p-1/

United Press. “Mercury Slowly Rises Over State From Record Low.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. 12-30-1933, p. 13. Accessed 12-20-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/south-haven-daily-tribune-dec-29-1933-p-13/

United Press. “Scores Added To Storm Death Toll.” Moorhead Daily News, MN. 12-26-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-dec-26-1933-p-1/

United Press. “State In Grip Of Frigid Weather. Sixty Degrees Below Zero In Mountain Area” Times Herald, Olean, NY. 12-29-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/times-evening-herald-dec-29-1933-p-1/

United Press. “Three Drown as Snow Plow Crashes Through Ice in Bay.” Stevens Point Daily Journal, WI. 12-28-1933, p. 8. Accessed 12-21-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/stevens-point-daily-journal-dec-28-1933-p-8/

United Press. “Western New York.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 12-29-1933, p. 1, 9. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-dec-29-1933-p-1/

United Press. “Winter Rages Throughout United States.” The Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 12-26-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/murphysboro-daily-independent-dec-26-1933-p-3/

Winona Republican-Herald, MN. “Review of the Year 1933.” 12-30-1933, p. 7, col. 4. Accessed 12-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-republican-herald-dec-30-1933-p-7/

[1] “Deaths from exposure and accidents directly attributed to the weather totaled more than 150 since the storm began Christmas Day.”

[2] “Devastating cold and terrific winter blizzards today took a toll of 115 lives as sub-zero cold spread over the nation in the wake of widespread storms.”

[3] An Evening Star (D.C.) article noted that “More than 100 persons have died, according to unofficial estimates, as a result of blizzards, ice, snow and cold.” (“Slightly Warmer Weather in Sight,” 12-8-1933, p. 2.)

[4] Evening Star, Washington, D.C. “Slightly Warmer Weather in Sight. Twenty…Tonight…” 12-28-1933, p. 2.

[5] Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “Section Held in Grip of Icy Wave (continued from p.1).” 12-28-1933, p. 1.

[6]. AP. “180 Persons Dead in Accidents, Snow and Zero Weather.” Evening Star, D.C., 12-26-1933, p.1.

[7] United Press. “Winter Rages Throughout United States.” The Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 12-26-1933, 1.

[8] Victim identified as Abram A. Blake, 81. Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Cold Wave Loosens Icy Grip Slightly; Relief Is Promised.” 2-27-1933, p. 1.

[9] Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Freezes To Death.” 12-27-1933, p. 2.

[10] Hammond Times, IN. “Cold Causes The Death Of Gary Man.” 12-29-1933, p. 1.

[11] AP. “Scores Reported Dead as Storms Sweep Country.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 12-27-1933, p.1.

[12] Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Aged Man Is Frozen To Death.” 12-27-1933, p. 1.

[13] Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Cold Wave Loosens Icy Grip Slightly; Relief Is Promised.” 2-27-1933, p. 1.

[14] UP. “Cold Wave Subsides, But…” Vidette- Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. 12-28-1933, p. 1.

[15] UP. “Cold Wave Subsides, But…” Vidette- Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. 12-28-1933, p. 1.

[16] AP. “Unofficial Readings of 11, 20 Below.” Boone News-Republican, IA. 12-26-1933, p. 2, col. 2.

[17] Victim identified as Joe AIsen, 23. AP. “Unofficial Readings of 11, 20 Below.” Boone News-Republican, IA. 12-26-1933, p. 2, col. 2.

[18] “At least seven persons perished from exhaustion in Massachusetts.” [Heart attacks?]

[19] AP. “Mercury Sent to New Depths By Sub-Zero Weather.” Daily Illini, Champaign-Urbana, IL. 12-30-1933,1.

[20] AP. “Second Day of Cold Wave Sees Low Records Broken.” North Adams Transcript, MA. 12-29-1933, p. 1.

[21] AP. “Break in Bitter Cold Promised for Tonight.” North Adams Transcript, 12-30-1933, p. 1.

[22] Doctors “expressed the belief he had over-exerted himself while working in the cold yesterday.” (AP. “Frozen To Death.” Lowell Sun, MA. 12-30-1933, p. 7.)

[23] AP. “Storm Takes Heavy Toll. At Least Seven Die in Bay State.” The Lowell Sun, MA. 12-27-1933, p. 4.

[24] AP. “Storm Takes Heavy Toll. At Least Seven Die in Bay State.” The Lowell Sun, MA. 12-27-1933, p. 4.

[25] Victim identified as Winslow Churchill, 85. AP. “Second Day of Cold Wave Sees Low Records Broken.” North Adams Transcript, MA. 12-29-1933, p. 1.

[26] AP. “Storm Takes Heavy Toll. At Least Seven Die in Bay State.” The Lowell Sun, MA. 12-27-1933, p. 4.

[27] AP. “Bitter Cold Prevails But Warmer Weather In Sight For New England States.” Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. 12-30-1933, p. 1.

[28] AP. “Storm Takes Heavy Toll. At Least Seven Die in Bay State.” The Lowell Sun, MA. 12-27-1933, p. 4.

[29] Died at hospital. AP. “Storm Takes…Toll. At Least Seven Die in Bay State.” Lowell Sun, MA. 12-27-1933, p. 4.

[30] AP. “Storm Takes Heavy Toll. At Least Seven Die in Bay State.” The Lowell Sun, MA. 12-27-1933, p. 4.

[31] UP. “Mercury Slowly Rises Over State From Record Low.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. 12-30-1933, p. 13.

[32] AP. “Scores Reported Dead as Storms Sweep Country.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 12-27-1933, p.1.

[33] Victims identified as Capt. Albert Balow, his son Frank, 29, Irwin Cartepe? [unclear], 19 and Harry Stevens, 40. (UP. “Four Fishermen Drowned at South Haven Tuesday.” The Evening Chronicle, Marshall, MI. 12-27-1933, p. 6.)

[34] Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “3 Deaths in NW Swells U.S. Cold Toll; Ripley…Worker Dies.” 12-28-1933, p. 1.

[35] This bay is between Duluth, MN and Superior, WI. The article notes the break-through was near Duluth. (AP. “New Tragedies in Bitter Cold That Hits Northern U.S.” The Morning Republican, Findlay, OH. 12-29-1933, p. 1.)

[36] Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “3 Deaths in NW Swells U.S. Cold Toll; Ripley…Worker Dies.” 12-28-1933, p. 1.

[37] Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “3 Deaths in NW Swells U.S. Cold Toll; Ripley…Worker Dies.” 12-28-1933, p. 1.

[38] UP. “Scores Added To Storm Death Toll.” Moorhead Daily News, MN. 12-26-1933, p. 1.

[39] Winona Republican-Herald, MN. “Review of the Year 1933.” 12-30-1933, p. 7, col. 4.

[40] UP. “State In Grip Of Frigid Weather. Sixty Degrees Below Zero…” Times Herald, Olean, NY. 12-29-1933, p. 1.

[41] AP. “2 Die Shoveling Snow.” Syracuse Herald, NY. 12-27-1933, p. 1., col. 3.

[42] INS. “Cold Snap…New York.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 12-30-1933, p. 2. Blanchard note: a fifth death was noted – “…woman was burned to death when fire broke out in an uptown apartment building.” In that fires kill people year round and nothing is said specifically identifying cold weather as related to this fire, we do not include.

[43] AP. “Mercury Sent to New Depths By Sub-Zero Weather.” Daily Illini, Champaign-Urbana, IL. 12-30-1933, p.1.

[44] INS. “Cold Snap…New York.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 12-30-1933, p. 2.

[45] INS. “Cold Snap…New York.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 12-30-1933, p. 2.

[46] INS. “Cold Snap…New York.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 12-30-1933, p. 2.

[47] Victim identified as William Johnston, 60. UP. “Western New York.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 12-29-1933, p. 1, 9. Also: AP. “Cold Breaks Records Of Near Century.” Salamanca Republican-Press.” 12-29-1933, p. 1.

[48] AP. “2 Die Shoveling Snow.” Syracuse Herald, NY. 12-27-1933, p. 1., col. 3.

[49] AP. “Nation Is Under Winter’s Icy Rule.” Cincinnati Times-Star, OH.12-27-1933, p. 2.

[50] Victim identified as Mary Hunsaker, 18 of near Elida. Lima News, OH. “Girl Dies as Passenger Train Strikes Auto.” 12-29-1933, p. 1.

[51] Evening Independent, Massillon, OH. “See Break in Frigid Wave (continued from p.1).” 12-27-1933, p. 2.

[52] Hamilton Journal and Daily News, OH. “First Fatality on Second Day of Cold Wave.” 12-28-1933, p. 12.

[53] AP. “Nation Is Under Winter’s Icy Rule.” Cincinnati Times-Star, OH.12-27-1933, p. 2.

[54] Charleroi Mail, PA. “Fine Wickhaven Man Frozen To Death In Room.” 12-29-1933, p. 1.

[55] AP. “2 Coasters Meet Death. Exposure Kills One.” Somerset Daily Herald, PA. 12-30-1933, p. 5.

[56] AP. “Dozen Lives Forfeits From Xmas Mishaps.” Somerset Daily Herald, PA. 12-26-1933, p. 1.

[57] Altoona Mirror, PA. “Two Coasters Killed.” 12-29-1933, p. 3.

[58] Altoona Mirror, PA. “Two Coasters Killed.” 12-29-1933, p. 3.

[59] “Friends said he had left a neighbor’s home on foot Monday night and apparently had collapsed from a heart attack as he fought the storm.” (AP. “Pennsylvania Digging Out Of Heavy Drifts.” Titusville Herald, PA. 12-27-1933, p.1.) Died the next day. “Death was due from exposure following a heart attack, the coroner reported.” (UP. “Froze To Death.” The Monessen Daily Independent, PA. 12-27-1933, p. 1.)

[60] AP. “2 Coasters Meet Death. Exposure Kills One.” Somerset Daily Herald, PA. 12-30-1933, p. 5.

[61] Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Cold Snap Loosens Grip on This State (continued from p.1.).” 12-30-1933, p. 2.

[62] AP. “Aged Woman Refuses to Leave Her Home…Found Frozen…” Clearfield Progress, PA. 12-28-1933, p. 1.

[63] Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Cold Snap Loosens Grip on This State (continued from p.1.).” 12-30-1933, p. 2.

[64] AP. “Mercury Sent to New Depths By Sub-Zero Weather.” Daily Illini, Champaign-Urbana, IL. 12-30-1933, p.1.

[65] Charleroi Mail, PA. “Fine Wickhaven Man Frozen To Death In Room.” 12-29-1933, p. 1.

[66] AP. “Snow Plow Breaks Through Ice; 3 Drown.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 12-28-1933, p. 1. Another article (noted above in MN) notes the plow went down near Duluth, MN. This article, out of Superior, WI, states the plow broke through the ice “here.” The three Superior city employees were identified as Ben Hines, Archie Jensen, and Louis Pariss.” Was 27 below zero at the time. (UP. “Three Drown as Snow Plow Crashes Through Ice in Bay.” Stevens Point Daily Journal, WI. 12-28-1933, p. 8.)