13–166-170

lornajarrettblanchard November 11, 1940

–166-170 Blanchard tally of land and Great Lakes maritime fatalities.
— 154 NWS. La Crosse, WI Weather Forecast Office. Armistice Day Storm. 2005 update.
— 150 Steil, Mark. “The Winds of Hell,” MPR News Q, November 10, 2000.
— 144 NOAA/NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI Weather Forecast Office, 2005.
— 106 AP. “Storm Death Toll Over Nation….” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-14-1940, p.15.
–51 Does not include sailors lost (51 missing), on the Great Lakes.
— >100 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, p. 269.
— 94 Hemming. Ships Gone Missing: The Great Lakes Storm of 1913. 1992, p. 159.
–50 On-shore freezing/exposure deaths.
–49 Maritime

Summary of State Breakouts Below

Colorado ( 2)
Illinois ( 13)
Indiana ( 3 – 5)
Iowa ( 7 – 8)
Kansas ( 1)
Michigan ( 70) 4 Land, 66 Maritime
Minnesota ( 49)
New York ( 4)
Oklahoma ( 1)
South Dakota ( 2)
Wisconsin (13-14)
Wyoming ( 1)
Total 166-170 includes 66 on Lake Michigan

Canada, Ontario ( 2)

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

Colorado ( 2)
–2 AP. “Storm Death Toll Exceeds the 100 Mark.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-14-1940, 1.
–1 Locale not noted. “The cold weather was blamed for an auto death in Colorado…”

Illinois ( 13)
–11 AP. “Storm Death Toll Exceeds the 100 Mark.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-14-1940, 1.
–10 AP. “Great Lakes Boats Founder, 70 Lost. 78 Others…” Abilene Reporter-News, TX, 11-13-1940 1.
— 8 AP. “37 Storm Deaths In Nation.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-12-1940, pp. 1, 4.
— 2 Dallas City area, MS River. Apparent exposure; unidentified duck hunters.

Indiana (3-5)
–5 AP. “Storm Death Toll Exceeds the 100 Mark.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-14-1940, 1.
–4 AP. “Great Lakes Boats Founder, 70 Lost. 78 Others…” Abilene Reporter-News, TX, 11-13-1940 1.
–3 AP. “37 Storm Deaths In Nation.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-12-1940, pp. 1, 4.

Iowa (7-8)
–8 AP. “Storm Death Toll Exceeds the 100 Mark.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-14-1940, 1.
–7 Blanchard tally by locality breakouts below.
–1 Burlington area, Nov 12. Duck hunter; boat capsized, MS River. Leonard Reynolds, 35, of Muscatine.
–1 Eagle Grove, Nov 12. Had just shoveled snow from walk in front of home. George Hanson, 76.
–3 Fort Madison area, Nov 11; Mississippi River duck blind; “found frozen to death Tuesday…”
–1 Lawrence Cross.
–1 Douglas McKimm.
–1 Franklin Payne.
–2 Locales not noted. “Two Iowa motorists were killed in an accident caused by slippery highways.”

Kansas ( 1)
–1 AP. “Great Lakes Boats Founder, 70 Lost. 78 Others…” Abilene Reporter-News, TX, 11-13-1940 1.

Michigan ( 70) 66 Maritime
— 4 AP. “Great Lakes Boats Founder, 70 Lost. 78 Others…” Abilene Reporter-News, TX, 11-13-1940 1.
— 1 Spring Lake. Barn collapse in high wind; Mrs. Gladys Barr, 52.
–66 Carferries of Ludington. The Armistice Day Storm, Nov 11, 1940. Nov 9, 1997.
–24 Anna C. Minch (Canadian). Sank South of Pentwater, MI.
— 5 Indian, fishing boat, Lake Michigan, between Grand Haven and Holland, MI
— 2 Novadoc steamer grounds at Juniper Beach, Pentwater, MI.
— 3 Richard H, fishing boat, lost near Grand Haven MI on Lake Michigan
–32 William B. Davock, bulk carrier, near Ludington, MI.

Minnesota (49)
–49 Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. 2004, p. 93.
–49 Daily Journal, Fergus Falls, MN. “Blizzard one of worst this century.” 1-11-1975, p. 1.
–49 Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 61.
–49 Minnesota State University. EMuseum. “Minnesota History: A Chronology.”
–47 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–44 AP. “Climbing Mercury Heartens Hordes of Snow-Fighters.” Bismarck Tribune, ND. 11-15-1940, 1.
Breakout of Minnesota storm, blizzard, snow, wind, cold-related deaths by locality.
— 2 Alma area. Exposure; hunters Clyde J. Detra, 35; Theodore Henry Geiger, 30.
— 1 Belle Plaine area. Car stalled, body found nearby, thought to be Mark E. Wells of Minneapolis.
— 1 Belle Plaine area. Car stalled; man found in car listed under Carlton Saltzman.
— 1 Bony Lake, near Scandia. Found frozen beside farm woodpile; Mrs. Mathilda Holmin, 75.
— 1 Danube area, 5 miles south of. Found frozen near farm home; Amelia Breitkreutz, 60.
— 1 Delft, near Mankato. Man found frozen to death in his car.
— 1 Donnelly area. Exertion trying to free car from snowdrift; farmer Lawrence A. Peterson, 36.
— 1 Fairmont. Cause not clear; found dead in the entry of her home; Mrs. Thurzia Cotew, 81.
— 1 Mankato. Overexertion shoveling auto out of snow drift; Earnest Fallenstein, 62.
— 1 Mankato area. Overexertion; farmer Eni Herren, about 45.
— 2 Mankato area, Nov 11. Found frozen to death in snow-stalled cars.
–2 Mrs. Clarence Tretbar, her daughter, 15, found between Mankato and Lake Crystal.
— 7 Minneapolis.
–1 Collapsed trying to walk to a house after car stalled; Chester Bouvran, 54.
–1 Exhaustion; John C. Johnson, 55.
–1 Collapsed/died after shoveling snow; Richard Lee Marden, 50.
–1 Crowbar used to loosen frozen machinery slips; hits John Pearson, 47, on head.
–1 Collapsed shoveling snow in front of home; Andrew Thoreson, 76.
–2 CO poisoning; Minneapolis men, apparently had tried to keep warm by running car.
— 1 Minnesota river bottoms. “Unidentified hunter found frozen to death…”
— 2 Prairie Island area. Duck hunters Kermit E. Nordquist and M. E. Youngquist.
— 1 Prairie Island. Body of Bruer Kromberg of St. Paul recovered on the Island Nov 14.
— 1 Princeton, Nov 11. Body of farmer checking on pasture horses found frozen against fence.
— 2 Red Wing, on MS Riv. St. Paul duck hunters; Melville H. Roberts, 42; Carl O. Iverson, 41.
— 1 Roscoe. “Adelia Osendorf, 13…froze in farm yard while hunting father during storm.”
— 1 Saint Paul. Car skids/hits tree; Albert W. Boeltl, Jr., 32.
— 1 Saint Paul. Exhaustion; Harry S. Mason, 75 or 79.
— 1 Savage. Birth death; Dr. could not get through snow to home; son of Mr. & Mrs. Elliott Brown.
— 1 Savage area. Duck hunter Clyde. R. Hemming.
— 2 Stillwater area. Car-truck collide in storm; Mrs. E.Y. Arnold of St. Paul; Mrs. Nels Chamberlain.
— 4 Wabasha area. Winona Republican-Herald, MN. “List of Dead.” 11-13-1940, p. 1.
–1 Thomas V. Cigler, 40, of St. Paul; body not recovered.
–1 Roy Johnson, 41, of St. Paul; body not recovered.
–1 Herbert Juenemann, 38, drowned when his boat capsized below Wabasha.
–1 Arthur Lenhardt, 41, of St. Paul; body not recovered.
— 1 Watkins. Freight and passenger trains collide; Soo Line fireman Walter Strom.
— 1 Watkins, Nov. 11. Injuries from “train wreck.” Engineer Floyd Terpening, 65.
— 6 Winona area hunters.
–1 Joseph Elk, of Olmsted street, Winona.
–1 Fred W. Nytes, 56 or 57, 717 Main Street, Winona.
–1 Herman F. Pagel, 51 of West Howard Street.
–1 Carl W. Tarras, 43, of Minnesota City Road, Winona; exposure.
–1 Ray Tarras, 16, son of Carl Tarras, of Minnesota City Road, Winona; exposure.
–1 William E. Wernecke, 46, of Minnesota City Road, Winona.
— 1 Locale not noted. “Dropped dead today [Nov 13] from exhaustion.” Edward Sutter, 64.

New York ( 4)
–4 AP. “Storm Death Toll Exceeds the 100 Mark.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-14-1940, 1.
–3 Big Moose Lake near Old Forge. Drownings when high wind overturned canoe.”
–1 Carrollton, NW NY. Exposure; body found Nov 13 ~Erie RR tracks; Sherman Redeye, 50.

Oklahoma ( 1)
–1 Oklahoma City community camp. Found frozen on cottage floor; W. M. Garrison, 89.

South Dakota ( 2)
–2 AP. “Storm Death Toll Exceeds the 100 Mark.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-14-1940, 1.
–1 Deadwood. Car accident; Dean Dale Crane, 17.
–1 Madison. “Vernon D. Baker…found frozen after he apparently…tried…to gain shelter…”

Wisconsin (13-14)
–14 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–13 NOAA/NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI WFO, 2005.
–10 AP. “Storm Toll in Northwest Mounts to 45.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-13-1940, 1.
Breakout of Wisconsin storm, blizzard, snow, cold, wind-related deaths by locality (where noted)
— 1 Big Muskego Lake, Waukesha County. Boat overturns; duck hunter Orville Strachota, 29.
— 1 Eau Claire. Collapsed on street and died; Ida C. Marx.
— 5 Ferryville, Nov 11.
–1 Exposure. Frozen body of deer hunter found; Kenneth McFarlane, 34 of Janesville.
— 1 Fond du Lac. Over-heated furnace, fire, suffocation; June Shipman, 18.
— 3 La Crosse area. Hunters; apparent exposure.
–1 Norman Schlefelbein, of Dodgeville, WI.
–1 Harold Stephenson, of Dodgeville WI, missing and believed dead.
–1 3rd person possible reference to Kenneth McFarlane, also noted as a Ferryville death.
— 1 Lake Butte Des Morts. Drowning or exposure; Lawrence Boeder, 32, of Oshkosh.
— 1 Milwaukee. Vincent Wiza. AP. “6 Are Dead…In State [WI].” La Crosse Tribune, MN. 11-12-1940, 1.
— 1 Edward Quick, 47. AP. “6 Are Dead…Missing In State [WI].” La Crosse Tribune, MN. 11-12-1940, 1.

Wyoming ( 1)
–1 Locale not noted. “The cold weather was blamed for an auto death in…Wyoming.”

Maritime ( 66)
–65 AP. “65 Sailors Feared Lost in Lake Michigan.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN, 11-13-1940, p. 1.
–66 Carferries of Ludington. The Armistice Day Storm, Nov 11, 1940. Nov 9, 1997.
— 5 Indian, fishing boat, Lake Michigan, between Grand Haven and Holland, MI
— 2 Novadoc steamer grounds at Juniper Beach, Pentwater, MI.
— 3 Richard H, fishing boat, lost near Grand Haven MI on Lake Michigan
–32 Lake freighter SS William B. Davock, bulk carrier, near Ludington, MI.
–24 Anna C. Minch (Canadian). Sank South of Pentwater, MI.

Canada, Ontario (2)
–2 AP. “Storm Death Toll Exceeds the 100 Mark.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-14-1940, 1.

Narrative Information

Burt and Stroud: “Minnesota’s worst blizzard occurred on Armistice Day of 1940, November 11… A sudden drop of temperature – from 60 [degrees] to zero in 12 hours – took most people by surprise. Of the 49 fatalities in Minnesota attributed to the blizzard, 20 were duck hunters caught in the open countryside. Minneapolis received 16.8” on snowfall and amounts over 26” fell elsewhere. Drifts topped 25 feet in height across much of the state. The barometer at Duluth fell to 28.66”, the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane. Winds over 80 mph raked Lake Superior, sinking several ore ships with the loss of 59 crewmen. Ultimately, this storm was the deadliest blizzard in the Midwest during the 20th century.” (Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather. 2004, 93.)

Carferries of Ludington: “The “storm” of November 11, 1940 was one of the worst storms in the recorded history of Lake Michigan. In all, the storm claimed 5 vessels, and 66 lives. The storm occurred on Armistice Day, which celebrated the end of World War I in 1918. The storm hit late Monday afternoon… with winds of hurricane proportions. The winds struck suddenly from the southwest at about 2:30 P.M. and were accompanied by drenching rain, which later changed to snow. The winds reached peak velocities of 75 miles per hour, the highest in local maritime history. Telephone and power lines were down by the hundreds around Mason County. Several local firms had “gaping” holes where roofs once were. Trees were uprooted, small buildings were overturned, and brick walls were toppled… Very few places escaped without damage. Ludington, on the morning of November 12th, appeared to be a deserted city.

“The Pere Marquette carferry City of Flint 32, attempted to make the harbor but wound up on the beach about 300 yards from the shore. She was ordered by her relief captain…to be scuttled to avoid being pounded by the incoming seas…. “The steamer Novadoc: Ran aground at Juniper Beach, South of Pentwater. Two crewman (cooks) drowned when the ship broke in half…. “Anna C. Minch: Sank South of Pentwater with a loss of 24 lives…. “The fishing tugs “Indian” and “Richard H.”: Lost with all hands off South Haven.” (Carferries of Ludington. The Armistice Day Storm, November 11, 1940. Website, Nov 9, 1997)

Cornell: “Midwestern United States, November 11, 1940: A blizzard originating in Canada blew through the midwestern states, bringing high winds and low temperatures to an area extending from the Rockies to Louisiana and killing more than 100 people.” (Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, p. 269.)

Dennis: “The Armistice Day storm of November 11, 1940, was probably as fierce as the Big Blow of 1913, but it was concentrated mostly over Lake Michigan and did not take as many lives. November 10 that year was sunny and warm, with a light easterly wind, and the forecast for the next day, Armistice Day, promised to be just as pleasant. But far to the west, an intense low-pressure cell packing powerful winds was seeping inland from the coast of Washington. It struck the Tacoma Narrows Bridge with such force that the bridge oscillated violently and finally collapsed…then continued eastward, passing over the northern Rockies and across Montana and the Dakotas. At the same time, another low-pressure system charged down the flank of the southern Rockies, absorbed warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, and set off northeast across the southern plains. When the two systems collided, they formed what is arguably the most powerful storm to strike the interior of North America in the twentieth century….

“Lost with all hands near Ludington, Michigan, was the William B. Davock, a 420-foot bulk carrier bound for Chicago with a crew of thirty-two. Lost also was a 320-foot Canadian vessel, Anna C. Minch, and her crew of twenty-four. The 253-foot Novadoc, with nineteen crewmen and a cargo of powdered coke, was driven onto a sandbar near Ludington and broken in half by the waves; seventeen of her crew were rescued, but two were washed overboard and drowned. In all, fifty-eight mariners died on Lake Michigan that day. Also lost were fifty duck hunters who went to marshes along the lake early that morning and froze to death in their blinds or drowned when their small boats were overwhelmed by waves.” (Dennis. The Living Great Lakes, 2003, p. 103.)

Michigan Historical Markers: “On November 11, 1940, a severe storm swept the Great Lakes area. As it crossed Lake Michigan, ships and seamen fought to reach safety away from its blinding winds and towering seas. Between Big and Little Points Sable the freighters William B. Davock and Anna C. Minch foundered with the loss of all hands. The crew of the Novadoc, driven aground south of Pentwater, battled icy winds and water for two days before being rescued by local fishermen. At Ludington the car-ferry City of Flint 32 was driven ashore, her holds flooded to prevent further damage. Elsewhere lives were lost and ships damaged in one of Lake Michigan’s greatest storms.” (Michigan Historical Markers, Stearns Park, Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, Mason Ct.)

Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates: “November 11, 1940. Armistice Day Storm. The first day of trout season was Monday the 11th of November. The Indian and the Richard H. left the harbor to set their nets for trout and whitefish. The Indian headed past the pier heads first at 7:35 am. The Richard H. headed out the of channel with its 3 man crew around 9:00 am. The boat usually had four crewman aboard, but the fourth fisherman failed to show up at the dock on time. Missing the boat gave that man a much longer life. Shortly after the Richard H. hit open water the Coast Guard storm warning was posted. Unfortunately, the fish tugs had no way of receiving this information.

“Around 1:30 pm, shortly before a terrific gale hit this area the Richard H. was sighted about 5 miles out. Then the waters of the lake were whipped in an inferno by a sustained 60-mile per hour gale which rolled up mountainous waves and spread a milky mist over the water in which visibility was blacked out. Occasionally wind velocity reached 75 miles per hour. When the storm’s fury had spent from 20 to 30 minutes later, the Richard H. and the Indian were gone….

“Wednesday brought grim news from the Grand Haven area. Wreckage from the Indian and the Richard H. was found North and South of the Grand River. The top of the pilot house and stack for the fish tug Indian came ashore about 400 yards South of the Tom Johnson cottage. A life jacket from the Richard H. was found along with the tugs name board. The life jacket straps were broken indicating that the preserver had been used by a crew member and tore from his body by the violence of the storm.” (Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates. “Richard H.”)

Minnesota State University: “1940 — The Armistice Day Blizzard strikes Minnesota leaving a 16.8 inches of snow in 24 hours. Winds that day exceed 32 miles-per-hour with gusts over 60 miles-per-hour. Forty-nine Minnesota residents die and over $1,500,000 worth of property is damaged.” (Minnesota State University. EMuseum. “Minnesota History: A Chronology.”)

NWS La Crosse WI WFO: “In 1940, a rapidly deepening low pressure system moved northeast from Kansas City, MO, through the Upper Mississippi Valley, into the Upper Great Lakes where Duluth, MN reported a barometric pressure of 28.66 inches. Armistice Day (now known as Veteran’s Day) began with blue skies and temperatures in the 40s and 50s. The day was so nice that duck hunters dressed in short-sleeved shirts and rushed to the marshes along the Mississippi River early that morning. However, during the late morning and early afternoon, a strong cold front moved through the region. Behind the cold front, the weather became rather blustery and the temperature plunged to the single digits by the next morning.

“The rain turned to sleet and eventually to driving snow. More than twenty duck hunters within a 50 mile radius of Winona, MN remained trapped on the Mississippi River by gusty winds and threatening waves. They had sought shelter on small islands and eventually froze to death. The howling winds and blinding snow brought all movement in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas to a grinding halt. Winona, MN received 22″ of snow and up to 17″ of snow fell in Iowa. Winds estimated at 50 to 80 mph whipped snow into drifts 20 ft deep isolating whole towns. The blizzard left 49 dead in Minnesota, and gales on Lake Michigan caused ship wrecks resulting in another 59 deaths. The blizzard claimed a total of 154 lives, and killed thousands of cattle in Iowa. More than a million turkeys were killed by the storm in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and other states. The storm became known as the “Armistice Day Storm”.

“This storm, along with a slow moving blizzard which would move across northern Minnesota in mid-March 1941, caused the Weather Bureau to rethink its forecasting procedures. Forecasting for the entire region had been directed by the Chicago office, but in the wake of this storm, responsibilities were distributed to regional centers to provide more timely and accurate predictions.” (NWS. La Crosse, WI Weather Forecast Office. Armistice Day Storm. 2005 update.)

NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI WFO: “Mild weather ahead of an intense low pressure system tracking from Kansas to western Wisconsin, was quickly followed by a raging blizzard. Many people were caught off-guard by the severity of the storm and particularly the plunging temperatures. Sixty degree temperatures during the morning of the 11th was followed by single digit readings by the morning of the 12th. These very cold temperatures and snow amounts were very unusual for this early in the season. Up to 26 inches of snow fell in Minnesota, while winds of 50 to 80 mph and heavy snows were common over parts of the states of Wisconsin, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan. These winds were responsible for whipping up 20 foot drifts. A total of 144 deaths were blamed on the storm (13 in Wisconsin), most of which were duck hunters along the Mississippi River. Milwaukee received only a trace of snow, but 80 mph gradient winds downed hundreds of trees.” (NWS. Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI Weather Forecast Office, 2005)

The Lightship: “The storm of November 11-13, 1940, was only the second of cyclonic character to sweep the upper lakes in almost a third of a century. Starting with high winds early in the evening of Sunday, November 10 the storm reached gale force from the southeast within the course of a few hours. With increasing violence the gale raged throughout all of November 11, accompanied by snow, exceptionally low visibility and temperature that dropped from above freezing to as low as 10 degrees….Four hours wind velocities were constant at from 75 to 80 miles an hour with peak blasts estimated at 100 miles. The storm continued but with less severity throughout the 12th and for a part of November 13….

“While the gale was violent on Lake Huron and almost as heavy on lakes Superior and Erie, it was Lake Michigan that bore the brunt of a storm of incredible character and the longest duration known to that body of water.” (“The Storm of Nov 11, 12, and 13,” The Lightship, Vol. XII, No. 3, Nov 1990, p. 1)

“While the storm ended with the complete loss of only two lake freighters, the William B. Davock and the Anna C. Minch, two other casualties occurred on November 11, the fishing tugs Indian and Richard H. having foundered off South Haven with the loss of eight lives.” (“The Storm of Nov 11, 12, and 13,” The Lightship, Vol. XII, No. 3, Nov 1990, p. 2.)

Wikipedia: “In Watkins, Minnesota, 2 people died when two trains collided in the blinding snow In lake Michigan, 66 sailors died on three freighters, the SS Anna C. Minch, the SS Novadoc, and the SS William B. Davock, as well as to smaller boats that sank. 13 people died in Illinois, 13 in Wisconsin, and 4 in Michigan.” (Wikipedia. “Armistice Day Blizzard.”)

Newspapers

Nov 11, IA: “Des Moines, Ia., Nov 11. – (UP) – The first snow storm of the winter swept across Iowa today and reached blizzard proportions in northwestern and southwestern parts of the state. Highways began to drift as a 38-mile-an hour wind whipped the snow. Visibility was reduced to less than 100 feet in several places.

“A sharp drop in temperature accompanied the storm. In Des Moines, the mercury dipped 30 degrees between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. and still was falling.

“Rain or sleet preceded the storm in most localities.

“The state highway patrol warned motorists to keep off highways in northwest and southwest portions because of ice, drifts and poor visibility. It was expected that several roads would be locked by noon, especially in the northwest.

“At Spirit Lake more than a foot of snow had fallen by 9 a.m., and it was impossible to see more than 50 feet….” (United Press. “Iowa Gets Her First Snowfall.” (Oelwein Daily Register, IA. 11-11-1940, p. 1.)

Nov 11: “Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 11. – (UP) – The first severe storm of the winter swept out of the Rocky mountains today, bringing freezing weather, snow and ice to the midwest. The cold weather extended from the Canadian border to the gulf coast. The weather bureau said that tonight mercury will probably drop to 8 above in Kansas City area. The snow fall was mostly light, but in some parts of western Kansas and Nebraska the snow measured from 2 to 10 inches.

“Communication lines were down in many sections and emergency repair crews were busy near Kearney, Neb., stringing new wires to replace those which broke under a heavy coating of ice.

“Denver reported a 12-inch blanket of snow over much of Colorado and Wyoming. It was the first snow of the year in Denver.” (United Press. “Kansas City Hit By Snow Storm.” Oelwein Daily Register, IA. 11-11-1940, p. 1.)

Nov 12: “With four men already definitely known to be dead, grave fears were felt Tuesday [12th] for the safety of more than a score of other duck hunters who were marooned on storm-swept islands in the Mississippi River. The frozen body of one hunter was recovered from a capsized canoe near Ferryville, Wis., and authorities said between 10 to 20 other nimrods were marooned on a small island near there. The dead man was not identified.

“Leonard Reynolds, 35, of Muscatine, Ia., died despite efforts of two companions to save him Monday night after their boat capsized as they attempted to reach the Illinois shore of the Mississippi River north of Burlington [IA] after being stranded on an island by Monday’s storm.

Lashed to Tank

“Louis Tubbs, Muscatine, and Ralph Sells, Oquawka, Ill., Reynolds’ companions, lashed him to the boat’s gasoline tank in an effort to save him but it was believed he was dead before they reached shore.

“John McKittrick, commander of the United States Navel Reserve Cutter stranded in the middle of the Mississippi near Dallas City, Ill., reported Tuesday that the bodies to two dead duck hunters were aboard. A third hunter was rescued, he said. The bodies were not identified immediately….”Near Muscatine, weary rescue workers, battling against freezing cold and high waves, continued efforts to rescue an unidentified number of duck hunters still marooned on Mississippi River islands. Trapped when high waves rose Monday some of the hunters reached shore safely during the night and Tuesday morning….The storm, which reached blizzard proportions in parts of Iowa Monday, caught hunters unawares in several sections of the Mississippi and many had narrow escapes.

Believed Janesville Man

“It was believed that the hunter’s body recovered on the island near Ferryville was that of a Janesville man, although no official announcement was made. It was unofficially reported during the afternoon that the known victim at Ferryville was Kenneth McFarlane, 34, of Janesville, Wis. ….Ferryville is approximately 20 miles north of Prairie du Chien.

“Crawford County Sheriff Lys Day, who was in charge of the searching operations, expressed the belief that possibly two or three other deaths ‘could be expected.’….The sheriff said the body already recovered was frozen when found in a capsized canoe on the Wisconsin shore. The temperature Tuesday morning was only six degrees above zero at Ferryville. The island where searching operations are in progress is located in the Winneshiek Slough area of the Mississippi River at a point where the river is nearly three miles wide…So far, nine men have been removed from the island by various rescue parties….

“Game Warden Eric Moir estimated that approximately 30 men had been stranded on the island overnight because they were unable to reach shore due to the gale-swept river. Moir said he also feared for the safety of several missing men….” (Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, IA. “Blizzard-Marooned Hunters Die. Cold Wave Follows Snow – Zero Reading…Tonight.” 11-12-1940, p. 1.)

Nov 12: “By The Associated Press. Freezing weather overspread the Middle West today in the wake of furious gales that battered the mid-continent, causing death or injury to scores of persons and extensive property damage. The mercury sank below zero in the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming, while subfreezing temperatures were general from the Rockies to beyond the Mississippi.

“At least 37 deaths were attributed to the violent wind, rain and snow-storms that swept eastward yesterday from the Rocky mountains. Property damage was reckoned in the hundreds of thousands.

“The gale raced across the northern tier of states with gusts attaining a velocity of 80 miles in Wisconsin, 67 in Elmira, N.Y., 65 in Chicago, 63 at St. Louis and 54 in Cleveland. The violent winds uprooted trees, smashed windows, tore cornices from buildings, leveled frame buildings, broke radio towers, crumbled huge steel electric signs, and ripped away power and communication lines. Tornadic winds struck Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee. Twenty families were left homeless when the storm struck Crocker Mills, Tenn., causing damage expected to exceed $150,000.

“Snow blanketed much of the western half of the continent, piling drifts that crippled transportation in Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Utah.

“Three persons were killed in Wisconsin and fears were expressed for the safety of eight duck hunters on a barren, treeless island in the Wisconsin river near Portage.

“Utah crews worked through the night to keep roads open in the Wasatch mountains. An eight-inch fall of dry, powdery snow was whipped into 28 to 24-inch drifts near Park City.

“Three deaths were reported in Indiana. A gale that reached a velocity of 70 miles unroofed a school at Talma while 155 pupils and eight teachers were in a downstairs assembly hall. None was injured.

“Repair crews worked to restore communication facilities in Nebraska and neighboring states. The Nebraska state agricultural officials reported that one-fourth of the turkey crop was believed lost. Thousands of the birds froze to death while huddled together for protection against the biting winds. Thousands of Iowa and Minnesota turkeys met a similar fate.

“Strong winds churned the Great Lakes, sending ships scurrying for shelter and driving a carferry aground near Ludington, Mich. Ludington was without telephone service for several hours and many power lines were down. The Port Huron lightship was blown far from its anchorage in Lake Erie.

“There were eight storm deaths in Illinois, which suffered extensive property damage in both urban and rural sections. At electric sigh at Randol street and the Outer Drive in Chicago was blown down although built to resist a wind of 100 miles. The steel sign was ten stories high and valued by its owners at $150,000. Windows of many fashionable shops along Michigan avenue in Chicago were shattered. The three-ton belfry tower of the Olivet Baptist church crashed to the ground as did a seven-foot statue of Christ from atop the five-story Columbus hospital. Cornices were hurled to the ground in many sections of the city.” (Associated Press. “37 Storm Deaths In Nation.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-12-1940, pp. 1 and 4.)

Nov 13: “Minneapolis – (AP) – More snow from overcast skies with continued cold was forecast for Minnesota today as the state began to emerge from Armistice day’s paralyzing gale-driven snowstorm which caused at least 45 deaths in the Northwest.

“The steadily mounting list of fatalities from the storm in Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota, showed this state suffered the hardest blow with 33 dead. Ten perished in Wisconsin and two in South Dakota. The death list included 13 duck hunters in Minnesota and six in Wisconsin, and fears were expressed that the toll would be increased as rescue parties widened their search to penetrate areas previously cut off by towering drifts and storm-swept waters….” (Assoc. Press. “Storm Toll in Northwest Mounts to 45.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-13-1940, p. 1.)

Nov 14: “By The Associated Press. Icy blasts again swept the northern sections of the nation today, with temperatures ranging from freezing to below zero, but relief was in sight. The weather bureau forecast rising temperatures in the plains states by tonight or tomorrow.

“Meanwhile, the number of known dead inn the storm-ravaged areas reached 108, not including 51 missing sailors. Eighteen sailors were known to have perished in Lake Michigan during the week’s storms. Hopes of finding the missing crewmen alive were virtually abandoned. Crews of boats that rode out the gale termed the storm the worst in their experience….Two lake freighters and two fishing tugs were believed to have gone to the bottom. The freighters William B. Davock and the Anna C. Minch were struck by the gale near Ludington, Mich. The bodies of 16 members of their crews were washed ashore. The bodies of two hands aboard the pulpwood carrier Novadoc, aground off Pentwater, Mich., also were found.” (Associated Press. “Storm Death Toll Over Nation 106.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-14-1940, p.15.)

Sources

Associated Press. “6 Are Dead, Others Missing In State [WI].” La Crosse Tribune, MN. 11-12-1940, 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/la-crosse-tribune-and-leader-press-nov-12-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “37 Storm Deaths In Nation.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-12-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-republican-herald-nov-12-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “65 Sailors Feared Lost in Lake Michigan.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN, 11-13-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2010 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-republican-herald-nov-13-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Climbing Mercury Heartens Hordes of Snow-Fighters.” Bismarck Tribune, ND. 11-15-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020: https://newspaperarchive.com/bismarck-tribune-nov-15-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cold Holds Grip on Northwest. Death Toll in Minnesota Reaches 52.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-14-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-republican-herald-nov-14-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Find Bodies of Sailors In Lake.” La Crosse Tribune, WI. 11-12-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/la-crosse-tribune-and-leader-press-nov-12-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Great Lakes Boats Founder, 70 Lost. 78 Others…” Abilene Reporter-News, TX, 11-13-1940 1. Accessed 5-11-2020: https://newspaperarchive.com/abilene-reporter-news-nov-13-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Locate Nine Bodies, Seek Many Others…Death List.” La Crosse Tribune, WI. 11-12-1940, p.1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/la-crosse-tribune-and-leader-press-nov-12-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Storm Death Toll Exceeds the 100 Mark.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-14-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-nov-14-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Storm Death Toll Over Nation 106.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-14-1940, p.15. Accessed 5-11-2020: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-republican-herald-nov-14-1940-p-15/

Associated Press. “Storm Toll in Northwest Mounts to 45.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-13-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-republican-herald-nov-13-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Three Found Frozen Dead in Stalled Autos.” Winona Republican-Herald, MN. 11-12-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-republican-herald-nov-12-1940-p-1/

Burt, Christopher C. and Mark Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. W. W. Norton & Co., 2004, 304 pages. Google preview accessed 1-1-2014 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=NuP7ATq9nWgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Carferries of Ludington. The Armistice Day Storm, November 11, 1940. Website, launched October 30, 1997, refitted November 9, 1997. At: http://www.carferries.com/armistice/

Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1982.

Daily Journal, Fergus Falls, MN. “Blizzard one of worst this century.” 1-11-1975, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=74722912&sterm

Dennis, Jerry. The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas. Macmillan, 2003. Partially digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=qjgc4A2ESxkC&dq=armistice+Day+Storm+November+11+1940&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Hutchinson News, KS. “Storms Take Big Toll of Life, Property (continued from p.1.)” 11-12-1940, p. 6. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-nov-12-1940-p-6/

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

Mason City Globe-Gazette, IA. “Shovels Snow, Dies Suddenly.” 11-14-1940, p. 3. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mason-city-globe-gazette-nov-14-1940-p-3/

Michigan Historical Markers. “Armistice Day Storm.” Located at Stearns Park, Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, Mason County. Accessed at: http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm

Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates. “Richard H.” Accessed 10/3/2009 at: http://www.michiganshipwrecks.org/richardh.htm

Minnesota State University. EMuseum. “Minnesota History: A Chronology.” Accessed at: http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/history/mnstatehistory/timeline.html#1700

Mt. Pleasant News, IA. “Three Hunters Found Dead. Victims of Exposure Near Fort Madison.” 11-13-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-pleasant-news-nov-13-1940-p-1/

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, La Crosse, WI. Armistice Day Storm November 11th 1940. NWS. 2005 update. At: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/events/armistice.php

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI. Biggest Snow Storms in the United States From 1888 to Present (Excluding the Mountains of the West and Lake-Effect Snows). NOAA, NWS, 11-2-2005. At: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/climate/big.php

Hemming, Robert J. Ships Gone Missing: The Great Lakes Storm of 1913. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 1992.

International News Service. “Over Score Die as Tornadic Winds Speed Spread of Cold Wave in U.S.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH, 11-12-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-nov-12-1940-p-1/

Steil, Mark. “The Winds of Hell,” MPR News Q, November 10, 2000. Accessed at: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/200011/10_steilm_blizzard-m/#

Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, IA. “Blizzard-Marooned Hunters Die. Cold Wave Follows Snow – Zero Reading Here Tonight.” 11-12-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubuque-telegraph-herald-nov-11-1940-p-13/

The Era, Bradford, PA. “Dies of Exposure.” 11-16-1940, p. 14. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bradford-era-nov-16-1940-p-14/

The Lightship (Lake Huron Lore). “The Storm of November 11, 12 and 13.” Accessed 5-10-2020 at: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/30456879/volume-12-no-3-november-1990-lake-huron-lore

United Press. “Iowa Gets Her First Snowfall.” (Oelwein Daily Register, IA. 11-11-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oelwein-daily-register-nov-11-1940-p-1/

United Press. “Kansas City Hit By Snow Storm.” Oelwein Daily Register, IA. 11-11-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oelwein-daily-register-nov-11-1940-p-1/

United Press. “State Toll Hits 10; Storm Abates.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 11-13-1940, p. 2. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-nov-13-1940-p-2/

Wikipedia. “Armistice Day Blizzard.” 10-30-2009 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_Day_Blizzard

Winona Republican-Herald. “Hunters Trapped by Storm, Seven Die.” 11-14-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-republican-herald-nov-12-1940-p-1/

Winona Republican-Herald, MN. “List of Dead.” 11-13-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-republican-herald-nov-13-1940-p-1/