15–80

lornajarrettblanchard January 1, 1940

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 10-26-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–80 Blanchard tally from State breakouts below

–58 UP. “Temperature Easement Scheduled For Tonight.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 1-9-1940, 1.

–53 Cedar Rapids News, IA. “Snow Over Most of U.S.” 1-8-1940, p. 1.

Summary of the State Breakouts Below

Alabama ( 4) Missouri ( 3) West Virginia ( 3)

Arkansas ( 1) Nebraska ( 6) Total 80

Georgia ( 2) New Jersey ( 1)

Illinois ( 1) New York ( 2)

Indiana (10) North Carolina ( 3)

Iowa ( 2) Ohio (15)

Kansas ( 3) Pennsylvania (15)

Kentucky ( 1) Tennessee ( 1)

Mississippi ( 2) Texas ( 5)

Breakout of Winter Weather Related Fatalities by State (and Locality where noted):

Alabama ( 4)

–2 Birmingham, Jan 3-4. Asphyxiation; extra blankets added to keep infant boys warm.[1]

–1 Enterprise, Jan 7-8; Exposure; body of Clem Heath, 40 found on 8^th in pecan grove.[2]

–1 Tuscumbia, Jan 4. Exposure; “A man was frozen…”[3]

Arkansas ( 1)

–1 Turrell, Jan 7. “…automobile skidded from slippery highway.” Miss Margaret Arnold, 19.[4]

Georgia ( 2)

–1 Atlanta, Jan 7. Exposure (“frozen to death”)[5] Woman.[6]

–1 Atlanta. Electrocution; ice-laden power line falls on top of car; male driver.[7]

Illinois ( 1)

–1 Locale not noted. Exposure? “…died from the cold…”[8]

Indiana (10)

–10 Blanchard tally (9 from AP of Jan 8 and Muncie exposure death on Jan 6.)

— 9 AP. “Mercury May Again Point Toward Zero.” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-8-1940, p. 1.

—>5 Traffic accidents “on slick streets and roads.”

–2 Peru area, Jan 7. Auto skids into US24 bridge; Nelson and Delores Harvey.[9]

— 3 Fires

— 1 Heart attack shoveling snow, man. (E. H. Thomas, 57, of Logansport)[10]

— 1 Muncie area, Jan 6. Exposure; Emma E. Williamson, 75, “was frozen to death…”[11]

Iowa ( 2)

–2 Sioux City, Jan 2. Exposure? “Two persons have died as a direct result of the cold wave.”[12]

Kansas ( 3)

–1 Atchison, Jan 6. Exposure; Dr. Minda McClintock, “froze to death at her home…”[13]

–2 Kansas City, Jan 1-2. Exposure; Mrs. Mary Anderson and sister Mrs. Margaret Buford, 80s.[14]

Kentucky ( 1)

–1 Locale not noted, Jan 5-6. Exposure? “Death attributed to the cold….”[15]

Mississippi ( 2)

–1 Grenada area, Jan 7. Car skids off icy highway into ditch; CR. N. Dunavent of Memphis.[16]

–1 Northeastern, Jan 7. “…automobile skidded from slippery highway.”[17]

Missouri ( 3)

–1 Poplar Bluff, Jan 7. Snow sled collides with truck; Claude Cravens, Jr., 9.[18]

–1 Rochester area hwy. 169. Bus skids on slick road into Mrs. Wayne Teaford, 32, waiting to board.[19]

–1 St. Louis, Jan 7. Heart attack shoveling snow at home: George E. Bailey, 57.[20]

Nebraska ( 6)

–4 Auburn, Jan 2. Auto skids on icy highway attempting to stop ahead of RR tracks; hit by train.[21]

–1 Dalton area, Jan 5. Fall in farm yard, unable to crawl to house, out all night; P. C. Nelson, 72.[22]

–1 Omaha, Jan 5. Exposure at home at 15 degree weather; Charles Dickson, 70.[23]

New Jersey ( 1)

–1 Millville, Jan 6. Exposure; found frozen to death, floor of small concrete bldg.; Howard Garrison, 54.[24]

New York ( 2)

–2 Malone area, Jan 3. Exposure or CO² poisoning; Richard Boyen, 19, and Ulysses Paquin, 26.[25]

North Carolina ( 3)

–3 Smithfield, Jan 8; 2 cars and truck collide “when ice and sleet caused the cars to hit…”[26]

Ohio (15)

–15 UP. “Temperature Easement Scheduled For Tonight.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 1-9-1940, 1.

–10 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–1 Akron area, Springfield Lake, Jan 6-7. Ice breaks under ice-skater, Roy Muckenstern, 16.[27]

–1 Cincinnati, Jan 2. Exposure. Woman found dead in vacant riverfront house.[28]

–1 Cincinnati, Jan 5. Car skids on icy road into path of train; Mars. Mary Estelle Craddock, 38.[29]

–1 Dayton, Jan 2. Exposure after fall; Mrs. Mary Johnes, 87; Coroner ruling.[30]

–1 Middleton area, Jan 2. Vehicles collide of icy road; Elmer B. Smith, 32.[31]

–2 Oxford, Jan 6-7 weekend. Car skidded on icy grade crossing into train; Mr. and Mrs. Teetzel.[32]

–1 Toledo. Jan 6-7 weekend. Car skidded on icy street into utility pole; Mrs. Mathilda Burkard, 75.[33]

–1 Upper Sandusky area, Jan 6-7. Exposure at home; Mr. Ben Walton, 82.[34]

–1 Xenia Pike, Jan 2. Truck skids on ice-coated road hitting Horace E. Gray, 52.[35]

Pennsylvania (15)

–1 Avondale mountain. Exposure and starvation; hermit Michael Yansick, about 75, in cave.[36]

–1 Harpers hamlet, Swatara Creek, Jan 1. Drowning; broke through ice; John Ahrenholtz, 19.[37]

–1 Heidelberg. Exposure; William White, 65.[38]

–1 Pittsburgh, southside, Jan 1. Exposure; body found in snowdrift; William J. Eisel, 58.[39]

–1 Pittsburgh, southside, Jan 1. Exposure; found frozen in snowbank; William White, 65.[40]

–1 Pittsburgh, Jan 5. Heart attack walking up icy incline with heavy sack; Fred Kramer, 77.[41]

–3 Pittsburgh, Jan 7. Drowning; fell through thin ice, boys on the Ohio River.[42]

–1 Ridley Park, Jan 7. Heart attack followed by exposure outdoors; Clarence Klingler, 59.[43]

–1 Wolfe Run near Industry, Jan 2. Exposure; frozen body of Mike Ranshan, 62, found.[44]

–2 Locales not noted, Jan 1. Snow-sledding accidents.[45]

–2 Locales not noted, Jan 7 “…police blames slippery roads for at least two of five highway fatalities.”[46]

Tennessee ( 1)

–1 Chattanooga, Jan 7. Exposure’ “froze to death” in alley; Charles Wallace of Chickamauga GA.[47]

Texas ( 5)

–1 Comanche, Jan 7. Exposure; John Pace, 70.[48]

–3 Lubbock-Brownfield hwy., Jan 7. Auto and truck collide “on the ice-coated…highway…”[49]

–1 Henderson, Jan 7. “a man died of a heart attack…physicians said was induced by the cold.”[50]

West Virginia ( 3)

–3 Locales not noted, by Jan 5. Exposure? “…died from the cold…”[51]

–1 Lex area, Jan 2. Exposure; Electrician slips into waterhole, couldn’t get out; died just after rescue.[52]

–1 Webster Springs area, Jan 3. Slip on icy embankment; fractured skull; Edward C. Hammond, 37.[53]

Narrative Information

Jan 1, Chester Times, PA: “Old Man Winter started the New Year right by dishing up a January menu of bitter cold weather today and plunging the mercury to the lowest level of the season. Officially the lowest temperature was 16 degrees, registered on the mercury of the U.S. Weather Bureau at 7:20 a.m. This was one degree lower than the previous winter’s record set last Wednesday. Thermometers in Chester showed an unofficial low of 14 degrees, while country districts had temperatures as low as 10. The Weatherman held no hope of any appreciable change on conditions this morning when he issued the forecast of fair skies, with continuing cold, today and tonight. Western Pennsylvania, in the grip of a similar cold wave, reported temperatures ranging between zero and six above in outlying sections of Pittsburgh last night. The death of William White, 65, of Heidelberg, was attributed to exposure to the intense cold.” (Chester Times, PA. “Mercury Drops to Winter’s Low.” 1-1-1940, p. 1.)

Jan 1, AP on WV: “New Year’s day was the winter’s coldest for West Virginia, with sub-zero temperatures in many sections and snow flurries in almost every part of the state. State police reported roads in Preston county in the worst condition so far. The cold wave sent the thermometer to four degrees below zero at Davis and Tucker county. Morgantown and Fairmont reported two degrees above and at Kingswood it was zero. Several rivers, including the Monongahela, West Fork and Tygart rivers in the Fairmont area and the Elk at Charleston, were frozen over for the first time this season. It was warmer in southern West Virginia but still cold enough to come near season low marks. Charleston and Huntington had temperatures of 17 degrees above zero and at Beckley it was only six above. Bluefield recorded a season’s low of 14 above….” (Associated Press. “Cold Wave Hits Eastern Section.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 1-2-1940, p. 1.)

Jan 2, AP on PA: “(By the Associated Press) Old Man Winter escorted the New Year into Pennsylvania Monday with a cold wave that pushed the mercury to the lowest point of the season in most of the state. Residents of Lancaster shivered in temperatures of 10 degrees below zero. At York, the mercury plummeted to five below – the lowest in two years. The Susquehanna froze for the first time this winter. Across the state, temperatures were down to a season’s low of five degrees at Pittsburgh, Reading of Four below zero were reported at the other end of the Monongahela river valley….It was three above at Lebanon, four in Greene county, seven at Harrisburg and 10 at Easton. Philadelphia’s reading of 16 was the lowest there this season….” (Associated Press. “Mercury at 10 Below at Lancaster.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-2-1940, p. 1.)

Jan 3, AP on OH: “By The Associated Press. Ohio awoke today to find King Winter still perched on his icy throne. Government forecasters said a gradual break in the season’s first cold wave may be expected Thursday. Near-zero temperatures prevailed today in central and southern Ohio and northern counties still were voting the straight red-flannel ticket. It was two below zero at Dayton, 3 above at Cincinnati and Columbus, 13 above at Youngstown and Akron, 13 above at Cleveland.

“The weather contributed to at least four additional deaths in Ohio. Horace E. Gray, 52, former president of the Dayton real estate board, was killed under the wheels of a truck on ice-coated Xenia pike. An automobile-truck collision on route 25 near Middletown killed Elmer B. Smith, 32, of Adrian, Mich. Coroner R. D. Snyder said Mrs. Mary Jones, 87, died of exposure at Dayton. She fell from a second story window of her home and was not found immediately. An unidentified Negro was found dead in a vacant riverfront house at Cincinnati.” (Associated Press. “Break in Cold Wave May Come Thursday.” East Liverpool Review, OH. 1-3-1940, p. 1.)

Jan 3, AP on PA: “By the Associated Press. A three-day-old cold spell that has scattered snow and near-zero temperatures across the state will probably remain until Friday, the weather man forecast today. The only let-up tonight was for Western Pennsylvania, where a ‘slowly rising temperature’ was predicted for Thursday, excepting along Lake Erie. There was plenty of snow for sledding in the northwest section. The State Department of Highways reported two-foot drifts as low as five degrees in Erie County. With the snow 12 to 24 inches deep there, 95 per cent of the county’s rural roads were closed. The department reported all main routs throughout the state were open, but many were icy, bringing out cindering crews.

“In Philadelphia the mercury hit a minimum of 17, which improved the ice for skating on ponds in the city parks and suburbs. Other temperatures in the east included York, 4; Allentown, 14; Reading and Scranton, 18; Wilkes-Barre, 21. The Harrisburg area reported a low of 14 and it was 15 in Pittsburg. The near-zero weather claimed its first victim in Beaver County yesterday when the frozen body of Mike Ranshan, 62, unemployed miner, was found in his home at Wolfe Run, near Industry.” (Associated Press. “Cold Weather Slow To Leave.” The Record Argus, Greenville, PA. 1-3-1940, p. 5.)

Jan 3, AP on the South: “By The Associated Press. Winter increased its assault on the South today, forcing the mercury below zero in one area, as residents of the central plains states found cheer in rising temperatures under sunny skies. In most sections below the Ohio river valley, the weather was colder than yesterday. Frigid blasts swept as far southward as central Florida. Relief was expected, however, in an overnight moderation….

“At Louisville, Ky., the mercury dropped to 1 degree below zero. Compared with yesterday, a drop of from 3 to 4 degrees was noted in widespread areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. Today’s minimum temperatures included Knoxville, Tenn., 6; Nashville, Tenn., 6; Memphis, Tenn., 15; Birmingham, Ala., 14; Montgomery, Ala., 18; and Atlanta, 15; where considerable ice floated down the Chattahoochee, a rare sight on this picturesque river….” (Associated Press. “South Blasted,” Decatur Daily, AL. 1-3-1940, p. 2.)

Jan 4, Greenville Argus, PA: “Old Man Winter sent the mercury down to its lowest ebb of the season here overnight. The mercury dropped to four degrees above zero during the early hours of the morning after hovering between the 13 and 19-degree levels for the 24-hour period preceding 5 p.m. yesterday. The previous low for the season was eight degrees above zero on Dec. 31…”

(Greenville Argus, PA. “Coldest Night At 4 Above Zero.” 1-4-1940, p. 1.)

Jan 5, AP on Pittsburgh, PA area: “Pittsburgh, Today. – (AP) – A swirling snowstorm, forerunner of a cold wave that is expected to drive the mercury below zero tonight, said a fresh blanket of two to three inches of snow over western Pennsylvania today. The storm was expected to abate late in the day as the ‘cold front’ that brought sub-zero temperatures to the midwest moves into this area. The U.S. Weather Bureau said it expected the mercury to skid 20 degrees to five below zero in Pittsburgh, possibly lower in outlying districts. The temperature dipped yesterday to an unofficial seven below in Washington county.” (Associated Press. “New Blanket of Snow Precedes Cold Wave.” Lebanon Daily News, PA. 1-5-1940, p. 18.)

Jan 7, Lima News, OH: “With a mass of frigid air piling up in the atmosphere, Lima and the district late Saturday night [Jan 6] was hit by a smog which made conditions precarious both to motorist and pedestrian. Conditions were accompanied by little encouragement from the U.S. Weather bureau which foresaw little immediate relief from the sub-zero wave which has gripped this area and most of the nation east of the Rocky Mountains, causing at least five deaths and untold suffering. After climbing from two below zero at 7 a.m. to 18 degrees above at 8 p.m. The Lima News register was falling rapidly Saturday night toward the five-above temperature which meteorologists predicted would be general throughout Ohio early Sunday….” (Lima News, OH. “Continued Cold Is Forecast Here.” 1-7-1940, p. 1.)

Jan 8, AP on PA: “Pennsylvania glistened today under a new blanket of snow which tempered a cold wave that held the state in its grip for a week. Sub-freezing temperatures still were predominate, however, and winter conditions caused more than half of the state’s week-end accidental death toll of at least 16 lives. Three boys drowned while playing on thin ice on the Ohio River at Pittsburgh, exposure caused five deaths, coasting accidents claimed two lives and police blames slippery roads for at least two of five highway fatalities…” (Associated Press. “Cold Weather Causes Deaths.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 1-8-1940, p. 1.)

Jan 9, UP: “Easement in the winterish weather conditions that have prevailed here for the past ten days in promised for Wednesday, according to the short-range forecast. Temperatures are scheduled to rise somewhat, although it is doubtful that the rise will be sufficient to start he January thaw usually expected at this season….

“Snow and low temperatures continued to grip the northern eastern states Monday while the southwest was drenched by a heavy rain. Snow fell in 28 states and the week-end toll of deaths attributed to the weather rose to 58. Ohio, with 15 deaths, had the heaviest toll. The cold on the east coast extended from New England to Macon, Ga., the snowfall varied widely, from 20 inches at Washington, D.C., to about two inches in the New York City area. In the middle west and Canada sub-zero temperatures predominated and in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas and adjoining states from one to two feet of snow fell….Snow and continued cold was forecast for eastern states while intense cold was predicted for the remainder of the week in the northeast.” (United Press. “Temperature Easement Scheduled For Tonight.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 1-9-1940, 1.)

Sources

Amarillo Daily News, TX. “Plains Gets Its Coldest Weather.” 1-8-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/amarillo-daily-news-jan-08-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Break in Cold Wave May Come Thursday.” East Liverpool Review, OH. 1-3-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/east-liverpool-review-jan-03-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cold On Way.” The Decatur Daily, AL. 1-5-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-jan-05-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cold Wave Hits Eastern Section.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 1-2-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jan-02-1940-p-2/

Associated Press. “Cold Wave on Heels of Heavy Snow…Deep Blanket Over State.” Moberly Monitor-Index, MO. 1-8-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moberly-monitor-index-jan-08-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cold Weather Causes Deaths.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 1-8-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-jan-08-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cold Weather Slow To Leave.” The Record Argus, Greenville, PA. 1-3-1940, p. 5. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-record-argus-jan-03-1940-p-5/

Associated Press. “Coldest Weather in 3 Years Reported.” The Emporia Daily Gazette, KS. 1-5-1940, p. 8. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/emporia-gazette-jan-05-1940-p-8/

Associated Press. “Dies of Exposure.” The Decatur Daily, AL. 1-9-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-jan-09-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Exposure Causes Deaths.” Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. 1-2-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lawrence-daily-journal-world-jan-02-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Ice, Snow Tie up Traffic in State; Three Killed on Icy Neuse Bridge.” High Point Enterprise, NC. 1-8-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/high-point-enterprise-jan-08-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Icy Winds and Snow Tumbles Temperatures” Cumberland Times, MD. 1-7-1940, p.2. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-times-jan-07-1940-p-2/

Associated Press. “Late News.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-4-1940, p. 10. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/waynesboro-record-herald-jan-04-1940-p-10/

Associated Press. “Mercury at 10 Below at Lancaster.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-2-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-jan-02-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Mercury May Again Point Toward Zero.” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-8-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/rushville-evening-daily-republican-jan-08-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Mike, The Hermit, Dies of Starvation.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 1-2-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jan-02-1940-p-2/

Associated Press. “New Blanket of Snow Precedes Cold Wave.” Lebanon Daily News, PA. 1-5-1940, p. 18. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lebanon-daily-news-jan-05-1940-p-18/

Associated Press. “Overtaxed His Heart.” Lebanon Daily News, PA. 1-5-2024, p. 18. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lebanon-daily-news-jan-05-1940-p-18/

Associated Press. “South Blasted,” Decatur Daily, AL. 1-3-1940, p. 2. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-jan-03-1940-p-2/

Associated Press. “Weather (continued from p.1.).” The Kingsport Times, TN. 1-8-1940, p. 8. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-jan-08-1940-p-8/

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Bradshaw Man is Victim of Exposure During Cold Snap.” 1-3-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jan-03-1940-p-1/

Charleston Gazette, WV. “Cold Sets Record, Causes 3 Deaths.” 1-4-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-gazette-jan-04-1940-p-1/

Cedar Rapids News, IA. “Snow Over Most of U.S.” 1-8-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-jan-08-1940-p-1/

Chester Times, PA. “Mercury Drops to Winter’s Low.” 1-1-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chester-times-jan-01-1940-p-1/

Chester Time, PA. “Ridley Park Man Frozen To Death.” 1-8-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chester-times-jan-08-1940-p-1/

Greenville Argus, PA. “Coldest Night At 4 Above Zero.” 1-4-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-record-argus-jan-04-1940-p-1/

Hamilton Daily News Journal, OH. “No Immediate Break Sighted.” 1-5-1940, p. 2. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hamilton-daily-news-journal-jan-05-1940-p-2/

Lima News, OH. “Continued Cold Is Forecast Here.” 1-7-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-lima-news-jan-07-1940-p-1/

Rushville Republican, IN. “Mercury (from page 1).” 1-8-1940, p. 3. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rushville-evening-daily-republican-jan-08-1940-p-3/

The Telegraph-News, Sidney, NE. “Farmer is Found Frozen to Death.” 1-9-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-telegraph-news-jan-09-1940-p-1/

United Press. “Coldest Spell Grips South.” The Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 1-9-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-jan-08-1940-p-9/

United Press. “Death-Dealing Snow Blankets Most of Nation.” The Freeport Journal Standard, IL. 1-8-1940, p.5. Accessed 10-26-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/freeport-journal-standard-jan-08-1940-p-5/

United Press. “Four Killed in Crossing Accident.” The Oelwein Daily Register, IA. 1-2-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oelwein-daily-register-jan-02-1940-p-1/

United Press. “Omaha Man Found Frozen.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, NE. 1-6-1940, p. 7. Accessed 10-26-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-jan-06-1940-p-7/

United Press. “Snow Blankets Most of Nation.” The Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. 1-8-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/connellsville-daily-courier-jan-08-1940-p-1/

United Press. “Temperature Easement Scheduled For Tonight.” The Dubois Courier, PA. 1-9-1940, 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-jan-09-1940-p-1/

United Press. “Two Deaths Result From Iowa Cold Wave.” Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, IA. 1-3-1940, p. 2. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubuque-telegraph-herald-jan-03-1940-p-2/

Washington Court House Record-Herald, OH. “Mercury Rises Here as More Snow Falls; Cold Wave to Return.” 1-8-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-c-h-record-herald-jan-08-1940-p-14/

[1] Associated Press. “Cold On Way.” The Decatur Daily, AL. 1-5-1940, p. 1.

[2] Associated Press. “Dies of Exposure.” The Decatur Daily, AL. 1-9-1940, p. 1.

[3] Associated Press. “Cold On Way.” The Decatur Daily, AL. 1-5-1940, p. 1.

[4] United Press. “Coldest Spell Grips South.” The Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 1-9-1940, p. 1.

[5] United Press. “Snow Blankets Most of Nation.” The Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. 1-8-1940, p. 1.

[6] Associated Press. “Weather (continued from p.1.).” The Kingsport Times, TN. 1-8-1940, p. 8.

[7] United Press. “Coldest Spell Grips South.” The Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 1-9-1940, p. 1.

[8] Associated Press. “Coldest Weather in 3 Years Reported.” The Emporia Daily Gazette, KS. 1-5-1940, p. 8.

[9] Rushville Republican, IN. “Mercury (from page 1).” 1-8-1940, p. 3.

[10] Rushville Republican, IN. “Mercury (from page 1).” 1-8-1940, p. 3.

[11] Lima News, OH. “Continued Cold Is Forecast Here.” 1-7-1940, p. 1.

[12] Victims identified as Charles Mountain, 62, and John Lucenko, 49. (United Press. “Two Deaths Result From Iowa Cold Wave.” Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, IA. 1-3-1940, p. 2.)

[13] Lima News, OH. “Continued Cold Is Forecast Here.” 1-7-1940, p. 1.

[14] Associated Press. “Exposure Causes Deaths.” Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. 1-2-1940, p. 1.

[15] Associated Press. “Icy Winds and Snow Tumbles Temperatures” Cumberland Times, MD. 1-7-1940, p. 2.

[16] United Press. “Coldest Spell Grips South.” The Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 1-9-1940, p. 1.

[17] Associated Press. “Weather (continued from p.1.).” The Kingsport Times, TN. 1-8-1940, p. 8.

[18] AP. “Cold Wave on Heels of Heavy Snow…Deep Blanket Over State.” Moberly Monitor-Index, MO. 1-8-1940, 1.

[19] AP. “Cold Wave on Heels of Heavy Snow…Deep Blanket Over State.” Moberly Monitor-Index, MO. 1-8-1940, 1.

[20] AP. “Cold Wave on Heels of Heavy Snow…Deep Blanket Over State.” Moberly Monitor-Index, MO. 1-8-1940, 1.

[21] Killed were Rudolph Nemechik, 20; Lawrence Krofta, 19; Wilma Rakasnik, 18, and Grace Holecek, 21. (United Press. “Four Killed in Crossing Accident.” The Oelwein Daily Register, IA. 1-2-1940, p. 1.)

[22] Telegraph-News, Sidney, NE. “Farmer is Found Frozen to Death.” 1-9-1940, p. 1.

[23] United Press. “Omaha Man Found Frozen.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, NE. 1-6-1940, p. 7.

[24] Chester Times, PA. “Mercury Drops To Winter’s Lowest.” 1-6-1940, p. 1.

[25] Associated Press. “Late News.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-4-1940, p. 10.

[26] Victims identified at Katherine Bowers, 16, Beverly Guthrie, 7, and Patrick Guthrie, 3, all of Pensacola, FL. (AP. “Ice, Snow Tie up Traffic in State; Three Killed on Icy Neuse Bridge.” High Point Enterprise, NC. 1-8-1940, p. 1.)

[27] Washington Court House Record-Herald, OH. “Mercury Rises…more snow falls; Cold…to Return.” 1-8-1940, 1.

[28] Associated Press. “Break in Cold Wave May Come Thursday.” East Liverpool Review, OH. 1-3-1940, p. 1.

[29] Hamilton Daily News Journal, OH. “No Immediate Break Sighted.” 1-5-1940, p. 2.

[30] Associated Press. “Break in Cold Wave May Come Thursday.” East Liverpool Review, OH. 1-3-1940, p. 1.

[31] Associated Press. “Break in Cold Wave May Come Thursday.” East Liverpool Review, OH. 1-3-1940, p. 1.

[32] Washington Court House Record-Herald, OH. “Mercury Rises…more snow falls; Cold…to Return.” 1-8-1940, 1.

[33] Washington Court House Record-Herald, OH. “Mercury Rises…more snow falls; Cold…to Return.” 1-8-1940, 1.

[34] Washington Court House Record-Herald, OH. “Mercury Rises…more snow falls; Cold…to Return.” 1-8-1940, 1.

[35] Associated Press. “Break in Cold Wave May Come Thursday.” East Liverpool Review, OH. 1-3-1940, p. 1.

[36] Associated Press. “Mike, The Hermit, Dies of Starvation.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 1-2-1940, p. 1.

[37] Associated Press. “Mercury at 10 Below at Lancaster.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-2-1940, p. 1.

[38] Chester Times, PA. “Mercury Drops to Winter’s Low.” 1-1-1940, p. 1.

[39] Associated Press. “Mercury at 10 Below at Lancaster.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-2-1940, p. 1.

[40] Associated Press. “Mercury at 10 Below at Lancaster.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-2-1940, p. 1.

[41] Associated Press. “Overtaxed His Heart.” Lebanon Daily News, PA. 1-5-2024, p. 18.

[42] Associated Press. “Cold Weather Causes Deaths.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 1-8-1940, p. 1.

[43] Chester Time, PA. “Ridley Park Man Frozen To Death.” 1-8-1940, p. 1.

[44] Associated Press. “Cold Weather Slow To Leave.” The Record Argus, Greenville, PA. 1-3-1940, p. 5.

[45] Associated Press. “Mercury at 10 Below at Lancaster.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-2-1940, p. 1.

[46] Associated Press. “Cold Weather Causes Deaths.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 1-8-1940, p. 1.

[47] United Press. “Coldest Spell Grips South.” The Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 1-9-1940, p. 1.

[48] Amarillo Daily News, TX. “Plains Gets Its Coldest Weather.” 1-8-1940, p. 1.

[49] Amarillo Daily News, TX. “Plains Gets Its Coldest Weather.” 1-8-1940, p. 1.

[50] United Press. “Death-Dealing Snow Blankets Most of Nation.” The Freeport Journal Standard, IL. 1-8-1940, p.5.

[51] Associated Press. “Coldest Weather in 3 Years Reported.” The Emporia Daily Gazette, KS. 1-5-1940, p. 8.

[52] Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Bradshaw Man is Victim of Exposure During Cold Snap.” 1-3-1940, p. 1.

[53] Charleston Gazette, WV. “Cold Sets Record, Causes 3 Deaths.” 1-4-1940, p. 1.