1935 — July 7-10, storms/flooding, esp. south central NY (47) north eastern PA (5)     —      52  

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 12-2-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–52  Blanchard

            –47  New York

            —  5  Pennsylvania

–52  Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, 81.

–52  Sav. Natural Disasters:  Some Empirical…Economic Considerations. 1974, p. 22.[1]

–51  Monthly Weather Review, July 1935. “Severe Local Storms, July 1935, p. 241.

            –11  Ithaca, NY. July 6-8. (Blanchard note: Ithaca is in south central NY.)

            –40  New York State, south central portion, July 7-8.

 

Blanchard note: We show 47 deaths in NY rather than 51 or 52, given the ambiguities in those numbers. It is not clear from Ludlum that the 52 deaths he mentions are only in NY, and a source is not noted.

 

Sav notes 51 deaths in the Upper Susquehanna, but as we note the Upper Susquehanna dips into PA below Binghamton, NY before becoming recognized as the “Middle Susquehanna” after it enters PA just south of Sayre, PA, where there were two drowning deaths. Are those two deaths included in Sav?

 

The Monthly Weather Review notes 11 deaths in the Ithaca area and 40 in south-central NY. However Ithaca is in south-central NY and thus it is not clear that these are all mutually exclusive.

 

We show newspaper reports noting the death toll in NY variously as 40, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 50.

 

In our attempt to identify specific deaths giving rise to these reported numbers we developed a list reproduced below of 47 deaths, including two missing and presumed dead, as well as several unidentified. We do not view this list as definitive, but it is what we could find in the press. Thus we are not comfortable estimating more than 47 NY deaths.

 

New York       (47)

–51  Monthly Weather Review, July 1935. “Severe Local Storms, July 1935, p. 241.

–>50  INS. “New York Flood Stricken Areas Being Inspected.” New Castle News, PA. 7-11-1935, 1.[2]

–47  INS. “Death Toll Reaches 47 in N.Y. Flood.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

–47  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below. (Includes two children missing as of July 12.)

–45  AP. “45 Dead, Lost In Flood.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 1.[3]

–43  Albany Evening News, NY. “Floods leading Empire State news during 1935.” 12-26-1935.[4]

–43  UP. “Flood Death Toll 43 in N.Y. Area; Water Receding.” Chester Times, PA. 7-9-1935, 1.

–41  AP. “41 Are Dead in Floods.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 7-10-1935, 1.

–40  AP. “Storm Damage Will Total 25 Millions.” Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-10-1935, p. 1.

–30  Kurek. The Troopers Are Coming: NY State Troopers, 1917-1943. 2007, 182.

—  2  Bath, Steuben County. Drownings in hay loft; Mr. and Mrs. John Shoemaker.[5]

—  5  Binghamton area, Broome County.[6]

–2  Cross Flats; Harold Chase Jr. 6, and Gloria Chase, 3.[7] Or 3 months.[8]

–1  Grandmother of the two Chase children.[9]

–1  Drowning; Dr. Robert B. Hartfield.[10] (Also noted as drowning at Greene.)[11]

—  1  Buttermilk Falls area, Tompkins Co.. Drowning; car swept from road; Alice Ferris, 22.[12]

—  1  Campbell near Elmira; Electrocuted or drowned; Edward Fisk in cellar repairing pump.[13]

—  2  Chenango Bridge. Two unidentified fatalities.[14]

—  3  Greene, Chenango County. Drownings.[15]

–2  Alice Loomis, 3, and sister Rose Marie Loomis, 6.

–1  Mrs. Dora Wanesfield, 60.

—  3  Hector Falls area, Seneca Lake. Drownings; carried from summer home beds. Suits and Nicolena.[16]

—  1  Hornell, Steuben County. Drowning; Mrs. Percy Hart.[17]

—  1  Ithaca area, Floral Avenue extension. Drowning; car washed from road; unidentified woman.[18]

—  2  Johnson City. Missing as of July 12; Thomas Murphy, 11, stepbrother Paul Cromwell, 15.[19]

—  1  Lake Cayuga. Exposure and over-exertion in flooded cottage; George S. Tarbell, 60.[20]

—  2  Lisle, Broome County. Drownings. Mrs. Hazel Burrows and Mrs. Ralph Smith.[21]

—  4  Meyers, Ithaca suburb; Drownings; bridge standing on collapsed. Solomon/Isaacs.[22]

—  1  Monterey, near Corning, Steuben Co. Drowning; Joyce Lealee, 3.[23] (Jeanette Peasley, 4?)[24]

—  1  North Fenton, Broome County. Lightning, Burr Paddleford, 58.[25]

—  1  Norwich area, Chenango County. Drowning; car went off inundated road into canal; Bronson.[26]

—  1  Painted Post; Drowning; John Stills, 20.[27]

—  3  Perry City, Wyoming Co. Drownings; children sleeping in tent near creek bank.[28] Landon[29]

—  1  Pitcher, Chenango County. Lightning; Jacob Naronzy, 58.[30]

—  1  Pitcher, Chenango Co. Heart attack? “…dropped dead of exertion” saving possessions.[31]

—  1  Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County. Drowning; Joseph Wantuck, 16.[32]

—  1  Syracuse area, Onondaga County. Drowning in rescue attempt; Vernon[?] Thompson, 24.[33]

—  1  Tioga County, Lisle-Richford Road, Yorkshire Creek. Home washed away; boy drowns.[34]

—  2  Trumansburg,[35] Tompkins County. Drownings.[36]

–1  Store/home swept away, Lillian Girous, 45.[37] (or Giroux)

–1  John Liffels (or Liefel), 60. Drowned while participating in rescue work.[38]

—  3  Tyrone area. Drownings; auto drops into creek; bridge had washed away.[39]

—  1  Watkins Glen area, Schuyler Co. Drowning; Miss Harriet Ganung, 62; ignored police warnings.[40]

—  1  Locale not noted; William Simons, 25, father of five children.[41]

 

Pennsylvania  (  5)  (Drownings)

—  2  Larksville. William Cassidy, 36 and son, 9, slipped from bridge watching flood.[42]   

—  1  Ligonier. Lightning; Robert Campbell, 16, in a picnic pavilion.[43]

—  1  Madera, Clearfield County. Lightning; Edward Michael Moore, 55.[44]

—  1  Croydon, Bucks County, Delaware River, July 9. Drowning; Phillip Marlin, 3rd.[45]

—  2  Sayre, Bradford County. Drownings; Jacob Burkard[46], 45, and George Sergeant Jr., 15.[47]

 

New York Fatalities noted above.

 

  1. Robert Bronson, 71
  2. Mrs. Hazel Burrows
  3. George S. Carbell
  4. Gloria Chase, 3 or 11-months
  5. Harold Chase Jr., 6
  6. Paul Cromwell, 15, Johnson City; missing as of July 12 with stepbrother Thomas Murphy
  7. Alice Ferris, 22
  8. Edward Fisk
  9. Miss Harriet Ganung, 62
  10. Lillian Giroux, 45
  11. Mrs. Percy Hart
  12. Dr. Robert B. Hartfield
  13. John Isaacs
  14. Landis or Landon child one, camping out
  15. Landis or Landon child two, camping out
  16. Landis or Landon child three, camping out
  17. Joyce Lealee
  18. John Lidefel or Liffels, 60
  19. Alice Loomis, 3
  20. Rose Marie Loomis, 6
  21. Jacob Naronzy, 58
  22. Miss Nicolena
  23. Allice Loomis, 3
  24. Rose Marie Loomis, 6
  25. Thomas Murphy, 11, Johnson City; missing as of July 12.
  26. Burr Paddleford
  27. Mr. John Shoemaker
  28. Mrs. John Shoemaker
  29. William Simons, 25
  30. Mrs. Ralph Smith
  31. John Solomon
  32. Son 1 of John Solomon
  33. Son 2 of John Solomon
  34. John Stills, 20
  35. Helen Suits, 18 months
  36. Mary Grace Suits, 5

George S. Tarbell (see Carbell)

  1. Mr. Thompson, 24
  2. Mrs. Dora Wanesfield, 60
  3. Joseph Wantuck, 16
  4. Unidentified person at Chenango Bridge
  5. 2nd Unidentified person at Chenango Bridge
  6. Unidentified persons at Ithaca, Floral Avenue extension
  7. Unidentified boy at Lisle-Richford Road, Yorkshire Creek
  8. Unidentified heart attack/exertion victim at Pitcher
  9. 1st unidentified in Tyrone area bridge washout
  10. 2nd unidentified in Tyrone area bridge washout
  11. 3rd unidentified in Tyrone area bridge washout

 

New York

 

Kurek: “Starting July 7, 1935 and continuing for several days, heavy rains caused the worst flooding that had existed in the state since 1865. Bridges and roads were washed out along the Mohawk River, with heavy damage caused in the western, central, and southern parts of the state. Hornell, Hammondsport, Marathon, Watkins Glen, Elmira, Norwich, Binghamton, Whitney Point, along with many other smaller villages were practically cut off from all communications until July 11.  When the flood finally subsided, it took until July 27 for conditions to get back to near normal.  Troopers were on duty almost twenty-four hours a day preventing looting, rerouting traffic, and aiding in the giving of food, clothing, and medical attention to the many flood victims. Thirty people lost their lives as a result of the flood with troopers recovering seventeen bodies and rescuing 470 other flood victims by removing them from danger areas….”  (Kurek. The Troopers Are Coming: NY State Troopers, 1917-1943. 2007, 182.)

 

Pennsylvania

 

Warnagris and Rygiel: “Worst local rampage on the Susquehanna River in 19 years, on July 9, 1935, followed a cloud burst in New York State and several days of regional rain which caused the Susquehanna to rise to a crest of 25.62 feet in Wilkes-Barre. As usual, Kingston, Plymouth, Westmoor and other lowlands were doused.  On the next day, Wednesday, July 10, 1935 when the river commenced to subside, William Cassidy, 36, of Larksville, took his nine year old son, Thomas, to view the spectacle.  Standing on a regional railroad bridge, as the youngster was hurling stones into the water he slipped and his father immediately leaped into the water in an attempted rescue.  Both were drowned.”  (Warnagiris and Rygiel. The Great Flood of 1972, p. 344.)

 

July 9, Indiana Evening Gazette, PA: “Subsiding flood waters today spared Pennsylvania the terrific loss of life suffered by neighboring New York although three persons, two of them boys, were killed and 13 or more others hurt in storms which swept the Keystone state. Onrushing flood waters from lower New York lifted the Susquehanna to flood stage at Towanda and nearby points and while several hundred residents in the lowlands prepared to flee, R. H. Hosmer, state hydrographer, declared there was no immediate danger. The Schuylkill and its creeks overflowed their banks in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties and in Philadelphia…” (Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Pennsylvania Summary.” 7-9-1935, p. 2.)

 

Newspapers

 

July 8, AP: “Albany, N.Y., July 8 (AP) – The torrential rains which swept eastern and central New York state during the week-end ceased today, giving rise to hopes that swollen rivers and creeks would recede without adding to the damage of nearly two million dollars already done. A statewide survey showed the storms caused eight deaths, washed out a score of bridges and several railroad tracks, resulted in the collapse of three dams, drove numerous families from their homes, halted traffic on nearly all highways and suspended gas and electric service in Bath.

 

“The deaths occurred at Pitcher, Chenango county, where Jacob Naronzy, 58, was struck by a bolt of lightning while working in his barn, and at Ithica, where George S. Carbell, an attorney, dropped dead of exertion after an attempt to save some of his possessions in a summer cottage.

 

“Gas pipes were washed out in Bath, in southern New York, causing suspension of service. Fifteen families were forced to leave their homes at Bath when the Cohocton river overflowed its banks.

 

“Service on the West Shore division of the New York Central Railroad was suspended by a 400-yard washout near Randall, Montgomery county, while two passenger trains of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad were halted near Bath by a washout. The Bath-Hammondsport Railroad cancelled trains because of a threatened washout near Cold Spring….

 

“Ithica, home of Cornell University, and surrounding area alone reported a flat million dollar loss, with streets under water and traffic at a standstill.

 

“Police rescued several families from submerged homes in the Mohawk Valley, where the water was from 10 to 12 feet high in many village streets. Firemen utilized a rowboat to rescue a family of four from a Hornell home in which water was a foot deep on the first floor.

 

“In the Mohawk Valley state police rescued several families from their submerged homes. The water was from 10 to 12 feet high in several villages and virtually all concrete highways were undermined.

 

“The rainstorms struck first at Rochester and swept eastward. At Rochester the damage was estimated at more than a half million dollars as streets were flooded and buildings were struck by lightning. Four golfers were stunned by lightning.

 

“Syracuse, Watertown and Utica reported heavy damage with flooded streets and cellars. Three barns burned near Phoenix after being struck by lightning and 100 feet of railroad track was washed out on the Oswego branch of the New York Central Railroad….

 

“The Conhocton river overflowed its banks at Bath in southern New York early today after a 12-hour rainfall, flooding the grounds of the Veterans Home and forcing 15 families to flee their homes….” (Associated Press. “8 Deaths, Millions of Dollars Loss Reported Over State Due to Deluge.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 7-8-1935, p. 1.)

 

July 9, AP: “ALBANY (AP) – The casualty list in upstate New York’s flood zone remained stationary at 45 dead and missing today as fire and disease threatened isolated portions of the devastated area. Property damage was estimated to range well over $10,000,000 with Steuben County alone reporting a $4,000,000 loss. Approximately 2,000 were temporarily homeless.

 

“Rivers and creeks were receding generally, although the Binghamton weather bureau feared a new rise in the Susquehanna river unless rain ceases in that area. The sun aided relief workers in other sections as rehabilitation was expedited by some 25,000 TERA [NY Temporary Emergency Relief Administration] workers and 1,500 CCC men and local officials together with the Red Cross.

 

“Five stores and two apartments in Walton, a village near Delhi, Delaware County seat, were destroyed in a $150,000 blaze that raged for several hours before being brought under control by two fire companies forced to plow through water covered roads. Meanwhile firemen at Binghamton and Hornell were forced to use boats and stand in water knee deep to fight flames. The Binghamton fire destroyed a store and restaurant in the flooded Front Street section, while at Hornell two explosions of tanks of a large gasoline storage tank gave firemen a battle.

 

“Although the sun greeted relief workers in Hornell, where 1,000 persons were temporarily homeless, rain was falling in some other sections of the devastated area.

 

“Emergency crews were rushed to washout scenes to repair railroad beds, giving rise to hope resumption of train service running through the Southern Tier would be effected by nightfall.

 

“A dozen towns and cities near the Pennsylvania border within a 50-mile radius of Binghamton appeared to be the worst sufferers from flood waters. Also seriously affected was the territory 60 miles or more northwestward in the heart of the famous Finger Lakes Region around Watkins Glen.

 

“The story was the same throughout the flood region – ruined homes, wrecked communication lines and utilities, damaged highways and bridges, flooded railway rights-of-way, and unestimated crop and live-stock losses.

 

“Communities affected included: Ithaca, Hornell, Binghamton, Bath, Trumansburg, Watkins Glen, Oneonta, Alfred, Chenango Bridge, Chenango Forks, Whitney Point, Marathon, Nimmonsburg, Board Acres, Green, Sidney, pars of Susquehanna, Pa., Kirkwood, Owego, Waverly and Newark Valley.

 

“At Hornell, where water, light and communications systems were wrecked by the rolling flood water, 1,000 refugees were being cared for in private homes and some victims spent the night sleeping in their automobile. City officials considered establishing public stations for inoculation against disease.

 

“Several hundred were temporarily homeless at Watkins Glen and city and county buildings were badly damaged by mud and water. Dozens of homes were wrecked in the town and the internationally known park there was so badly damaged it may have to be closed.

 

“The Chenango river still lapped at buildings in the lower section of Binghamton where nearly 500 persons were driven from their homes. Two hundred of the refugees were housed in a schoolhouse last night and as many more found lodging with friends.

 

“Six houses were carried away and the business district flooded in Trumansburg and vicinity where at least five persons, including three children, lost their lives. The children, two boys and a girl, were swept away as they slept in a tent on the banks of a creek near Perry City….

 

“Forty homes at Hammondsport were nearly submerged today as an unnamed creek that flows through Hammondsport glen went on a rampage, tore out a new bed through the center of the village and deposited tons of rock and dirt in the business section….

 

“President Roosevelt today requested the American Red Cross to aid in the upper New York State devastation and offered the public health service for assistance….

 

“HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Flood waters surged into Pennsylvania today from devastated New York lowlands ripping lowland farm buildings from supports, inundating rich riverside fields and driving hundreds from their homes in the north central part of the state. The damage extended to the Philadelphia area in the southeastern part of the state, where the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, Perkiomen Creek and other streams flooded basements, carried bungalows away and washed out roads.” (Associated Press. “45 Dead, Lost In Flood.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, pp. 1 and 5.)

 

July 10, AP: “ALBANY (AP) – Relief work by state and federal governments moved apace today in flood wrecked upstate New York, where 40 persons lost their lives and property damaged reached the $25,000,000 mark. Gov. Herbert H. Lehman, personally directing state activities, said the situation is ‘improving generally at all points,’ and reported flood waters receding throughout the area. Four persons were still missing and approximately 3,000 persons were homeless. As the debris was slowly being removed and telephonic communications were being restored, a survey of the area indicated damage was much higher than had been first estimated.  

 

“Shouldering the cost of removing debris and rehabilitating the communities the two governmental units swung a full force of relief workers into action in the 10 county areas in south central New York….” (Associated Press. “Storm Damage Will Total 25 Millions.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 1.)

Sources

 

Associated Press. “8 Deaths, Millions of Dollars Loss Reported Over State Due to Deluge.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 7-8-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-jul-08-1935-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “41 Are Dead in Floods; Damage at $15,000,000.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 7-10-1935, p.1. Accessed 12-1-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-jul-10-1935-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “45 Dead, Lost In Flood.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/canandaigua-daily-messenger-jul-09-1935-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Boy Is Drowned.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-10-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/canandaigua-daily-messenger-jul-10-1935-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Casualties In N.Y. Flood.” The Oil City Derrick, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oil-city-derrick-jul-09-1935-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Five Lives Lost in Binghamton Section Floods.” Titusville Herald, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-jul-09-1935-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Storm Damage Will Total 25 Millions.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/canandaigua-daily-messenger-jul-10-1935-p-1/

 

Bristol Courier, PA. “Recover Boy’s Body in River at Bridesburg.” 7-12-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bristol-courier-jul-12-1935-p-1/

 

Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Pennsylvania Summary.” 7-9-1935, p. 2. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-jul-09-1935-p-2/

 

Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Typhoid Threatens (continued from p.1.),” 7-9-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-jul-09-1935-p-2/

 

International News Service. “16 Known Dead in New York State Flood.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-8-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tyrone-daily-herald-jul-08-1935-p-1/

 

International News Service. “Death Toll Reaches 47 in N.Y. Flood.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-9-1935, p.1. Accessed 12-2-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/tyrone-daily-herald-jul-09-1935-p-1/

 

International News Service. “New York Flood Stricken Areas Being Inspected.” New Castle News, PA. 7-11-1935, 1. Accessed 12-2-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-jul-11-1935-p-1/

 

International News Service. “Sayre.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 2. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-jul-09-1935-p-2/

 

International News Service. “Western Pennsylvania Hit By Severe Storm.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-8-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/tyrone-daily-herald-jul-08-1935-p-1/

 

Johnson, Hollister. The New York State Flood of July 1935 (Water-Supply Paper 773 – E). Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, 1936. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/0773e/report.pdf

 

Kurek, Albert S. The Troopers Are Coming: NY State Troopers, 1917-1943. Bloomington, IN:  Rooftop Publishing, 2007.  Partially digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=e3d9tTxg1N8C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.

 

Monthly Weather Review, July 1935. “Severe Local Storms, July 1935, p. 241. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/63/7/1520-0493_1935_63_241_slsj_2_0_co_2.xml

 

Potsdam Herald-Record, NY. “Great Floods in the State.” 7-12-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=tph19350712-01.1.1&e=——-en-20–1–txt-txIN———-

 

Sav, Thomas G. Natural Disasters: Some Empirical and Economic Considerations (Final Report, NBSIR 74-473). Washington, DC: National Bureau of Standards, Institute for Applied Technology, Center for Building Technology, Building Economics Section, February 1974, 74 pages. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build74/PDF/b74006.pdf

Also: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-C13-a3635840d0e3f03b121be9792f020d75/pdf/GOVPUB-C13-a3635840d0e3f03b121be9792f020d75.pdf

 

Syracuse Herald, NY. “Dr. Hartsfield Body Found Near Greene.” 7-11-1935, p. 4. Accessed 12-1-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-jul-11-1935-p-4/

 

Syracuse Herald, NY. “Pennsylvania. Susquehanna, Delaware, Lehigh and Schuylkill Rivers on Rampage.” 7-10-1935, p. 7. Accessed 12-1-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-jul-10-1935-p-7/

 

Syracuse Herald, NY. “Senecas River Yields Body of Thompson.” 7-13-1935, p. 4. Accessed 12-1-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-jul-13-1935-p-4/

 

United Press. “Flood Death Toll 43 in N.Y. Area; Water Receding.” Chester Times, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chester-times-jul-09-1935-p-1/

 

United Press. “Hornell-Ithaca Center of Worst Flood Disaster.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-jul-09-1935-p-1/

 

Warnagiris, Paul W. and John J. Rygiel. The Great Flood of 1972. Wyoming, PA: Observer-Rygiel Publishing Co., 1973.  Partially digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=7aDisJDhpMEC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

[1] Location of floods is noted as the Upper Susquehanna which is in NY except for a dip into PA just to the southeast of Binghamton, NY. Cites:  Executive Office of the President. Office of Emergency Preparedness.  Disaster Preparedness. Vol. 3 (Washington. D.C.,  GPO. January 1972). p. 8.

[2] “Gov. Lehman said the situation was improving generally at all points although the menace of famine in several inaccessible localities threatened to increase the death toll of more than fifty…”

[3] Within article it is written that there reportedly 45 dead and missing.

[4] This newspaper article is summarized in the USGS publication The New York State Flood of July 1935 by Hollister Johnson. Transcription reads: “July 7…Governor Lehman began a tour of the flood zone the following Thursday [July 11]. The water had receded and he found: Dead, 43…” (p. 233, Introduction). The document does not provide its own fatality estimate leaving it that “many people were drowned…” (p. 246)

[5] AP. “Storm Damage Will Total 25 Millions.” Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-10-1935, p. 1.

[6] AP. “Five Lives Lost in Binghamton Section Floods.” Titusville Herald, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[7] Potsdam Herald-Record, NY. “Great Floods in the State.” 7-12-1935, p. 1.

[8] Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Typhoid Threatens (continued from p.1.),” 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[9] Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Typhoid Threatens (continued from p.1.),” 7-9-1935, p. 1. Article notes: “The family was awakened at dawn when the walls of their house shook. Chase [Harold] leaped from bed and looked out to see the place surrounded by tides swirling toward the river. He carried his six-year-old son to the roof and returned for his wife, her mother and their youngest child, 11 months. The boy slid off the roof into the water and was carried away shrieking. His parents swam after him in vain. They fought their way back only to find the cottage swept away with Mrs. Chase’s mother and the baby. Rescuers saved the parents.”

[10] Associated Press. “Casualties In N.Y. Flood.” The Oil City Derrick, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[11] Potsdam Herald-Record, NY. “Great Floods in the State.” 7-12-1935, p. 1.

[12] AP. “Storm Damage Will Total 25 Millions.” Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-10-1935, p. 1.

[13] Potsdam Herald-Record, NY. “Great Floods in the State.” 7-12-1935, p. 1.

[14] United Press. “Hornell-Ithaca Center of Worst Flood Disaster.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[15] Associated Press. “Casualties In N.Y. Flood.” The Oil City Derrick, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[16] Two children – Mary Grace Suits, 5 and Helen Suits, 18 months, and their maid/nurse Miss Nicolena. (AP. “Watkins Glen Is Hard Hit. 10 Casualties County…” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 5.)

[17] Associated Press. “Casualties In N.Y. Flood.” The Oil City Derrick, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[18] INS. “16 Known Dead in New York State Flood.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-8-1935, p. 1.

[19] Potsdam Herald-Record, NY. “Great Floods in the State.” 7-12-1935, p. 1.

[20] INS. “16 Known Dead in New York State Flood.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-8-1935, p. 1.

[21] Associated Press. “Casualties In N.Y. Flood.” The Oil City Derrick, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[22] INS. “16 Known Dead in New York State Flood.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-8-1935, p. 1. Killed were John Soloman, two sons and John Isaacs. Another source names sons as Nicholas, 13 and George, 17. (United Press. “Hornell-Ithaca Center of Worst Flood Disaster.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.)

[23] AP. “Storm Damage Will Total 25 Millions.” Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-10-1935, p. 1.

[24] Potsdam Herald-Record, NY. “Great Floods in the State.” 7-12-1935, p. 1.

[25] INS. “16 Known Dead in New York State Flood.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-8-1935, p. 1.

[26] INS. “16 Known Dead in New York State Flood.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-8-1935, p. 1. Victim identified as Robert Bronson, 71 of Binghamton.

[27] Associated Press. “Casualties In N.Y. Flood.” The Oil City Derrick, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[28] Associated Press. “45 Dead, Lost In Flood.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 1. Another article notes the last name of the children was Landis. (AP. “Watkins Glen Is Hard Hit. 10 Casualties County…” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 5.)

[29] Another source, notes that “Three children of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Landon were swept to their deaths while sleeping in a tent with their parents, who were camping out near Perry City. The parents tried to reach the children, but they were swept out of reach and sight by the raging torrents.” (United Press. “Hornell-Ithaca Center of Worst Flood Disaster.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.)

[30] AP. “8 Deaths, Millions of Dollars Loss…Due to Deluge.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 7-8-1935, p1.

[31] AP. “8 Deaths, Millions of Dollars Loss…Due to Deluge.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 7-8-1935, p1.

[32] Associated Press. “Boy Is Drowned.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-10-1935, p. 1.

[33] Syracuse Herald, NY. “Seneca River Yields Body of Thompson.” 7-13-1935, p. 4.

[34] AP. “Five Lives Lost in Binghamton Section Floods.” Titusville Herald, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[35] “Trumansburg, a village near Ithaca, virtually was obliterated by a six-foot wall of water from Taughammock creek.” (Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Typhoid Threatens (continued from p.1.),” 7-9-1935, p. 1.)

[36] Associated Press. “45 Dead, Lost In Flood.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[37] INS. “16 Known Dead in New York State Flood.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-8-1935, p. 1.

[38] United Press. “Hornell-Ithaca Center of Worst Flood Disaster.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[39] AP. “Watkins Glen Is Hard Hit. 10 Casualties County…” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 5.

[40] AP. “Watkins Glen Is Hard Hit. 10 Casualties County…” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. 7-9-1935, p. 5.

[41] United Press. “Hornell-Ithaca Center of Worst Flood Disaster.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[42] Warnagiris and Rygiel. The Great Flood of 1972.  1973, p. 344.

[43] Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Typhoid Threatens (continued from p.1.),” 7-9-1935, p. 1.

[44] International News Service. “Western Pennsylvania Hit By Severe Storm.” Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. 7-8-1935, 1.

[45] Bristol Courier, PA. “Recover Boy’s Body in River at Bridesburg.” 7-12-1935, p. 1.

[46] Or Jacob Burkhart. (INS. “Sayre.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 7-9-1935, p. 2.) Article notes that four boys were marooned on an island in the Chemung River, including his son. “After taking the boys from the island, Burkhart headed for shore but the swift current upset his boat. Burkhart and Sergeant failed to reappear but the others, Frank and James Burkhard and Donald Earle, reached shore after being carried more than a mile downstream.”

[47] Syracuse Herald, NY. “Pennsylvania. Susquehanna, Delaware, Lehigh and Schuylkill Rivers on Rampage.” 7-10-1935, p. 7.