Madison counties, IN–20

lornajarrettblanchard March 26, 1948

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard Sep 23, 2023 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–20 Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 936.

–20 United Press. “State Storm Toll.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN 3-27-1948, p.1.

–20 UP. “Tornado Kills [20] in [IN];…Coatesville Demolished.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN 3-27-1948, p.1.

–19 Logansport Press, IN. “Blast Rivals Rail Wreck as Worst State Disaster.” 11-2-1963, 5.[1]

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “IN MAR 26, 1948 1710 19k 200inj 800y 40m F4. CLAY/PUTNAM/HENDRICKS -What was probably a family of tornadoes moved NE from south of Prairie City, killing a woman in her home, SE of “Asherville.” About 40 farms were torn apart across Putnam County. The funnel was a half mile wide as it crossed into Hendricks County and engulfed Coatesville, a town of 500 people. About 80% of the buildings in the town were damaged or destroyed. Fourteen people were killed and 150 were injured. Damage in the town totaled over $2,000,000. One other person died north of Amo, two were killed at the south edge of Hadley, and two more at Danville. Over 50 farms were torn apart. One Coatesville death was from a heart attack. $3,000,000.

“IN MAR 26, 1948 1900 lk 3inj …F2. MADISON–An elderly man was killed and three other people were injured on a farm 4m N of Fortville.” (Grazulis 1993, p. 936.)

Newspaper

March 27, UP: “Coatesville, Ind., March 27. – (UP) – Rescue parties dug out 14 bodies and searched for more today in the wake of a tornado which cut a roadway of destruction in this little town of 500 last night.

“Tornadoes struck in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Alabama, claiming 26 lives. Twenty were killed in Coatesville, Hadley, Asherville, Fortville, and Danville, Ind. Another three died in Illinois.

“The twister carved a 200-yard-wide path through Coatesville and left death, injuries, and piles of debris in its wake. Red Cross disaster unites, police, doctors, and volunteers converged on the scene to give aid. State Police Capt. Kermic Lewis took command of the rescue operations. He ordered 75 prisoners from the Indiana State Penal Farm to help in the search. He requested medical students at the University of Indiana to come to the scene. He said he feared many victims still may be trapped in the wreckage of their homes. ‘And if they are trapped,’ he said, ‘I’m afraid some may die of exposure. This rain and cold won’t do them any good.’ Eighteen searching parties fanned out over the county to dig out any persons trapped in the debris.

“A Red Cross first aid station was set up immediately. Soon after, a mobile Red Cross canteen swung into town and began serving meals to the homeless.

“Witnesses said the destruction was ‘terrific.’ Monice Bergess, 23, was pinned with her mother in the ruins of her house. ‘Somehow we clawed our way out,’ she said. ‘I got a broken arm but mother was only bruised.’ A car was flattened and wrapped around a tree. The owner said it was parked 50 feet away before the tornado.

“Rescuers dug through the shambles of one house because someone said a woman had drowned in the water-filled basement. They found no body immediately but the woman’s dog stood guard by the front porch.

“Two married couples were among the dead in Coatesville. Another was a farmer, Victor Wise, 40, who suffered a fatal heart attack just after the storm passed. Two others identified tentatively by state police, were Harry Rumley, 22, and Janice Coffey, 16.

“At Coatesville, Dr. John Ellett treated an endless stream of storm victims throughout the night. Three members of his family were among the dead.

“Two charred bodies were found in the smoking ruins of an apartment house that burned after the tornado ripped it apart. State police identified the bodies tentatively as those of Harry Rumley, 22, and Janice Coffey, 16, who reported engaged to be married. Surviving townspeople said it was Janice’s birthday and that Rumley was seen to enter the apartment a few minutes before the tornado hit.

“Two were killed at Hadley and another man, Guy Beck was reported missing and presumed dead. Mrs. Ralph Dierdoff, 36, was killed at Asherville, and Donald Howard, 13, was listed as dead in Danville. Albert Whetzel, 87, died at Fortville.

“At Pariss, Ill., a mother and two sons were killed when the car in which they were riding skidded into a stuck during a rain and hail storm following the tornado. Dead were Mrs. Erma Gresham, 37, and her sons, Foster, 10, and Victor Ray, 2½….” (United Press “Tornado Kills Twenty in Indiana; Town of Coatesville Demolished.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN 3-27-1948, p.1.)

March 27, UP: “Coatesville, Ind., March 27. – (UP) – List of dead in the Indiana tornado:

“At Coatesville;

Wayne Beaman, 29.

Wayne Pursell, 37, and his wife, Muriel, 37.

Frank Ellett, 60, his wife, Lottie, 58, and their grandson, Richard Ellett, 7.

Ms. Julia Lawrence, 35

Russell White, 3.

Harry Britton, 27, Crawfordsville.

Perry Knight, 36.

Frank Grimes, 40.

Victor Wise.

Two unidentified persons.

“At Hadley:

Harley F. Hartsaw.

Grace Hadley.

Guy Beck, missing and considered dead.

“At Asherville:

Mrs. Ralph Dierdoff, 36.

“At Danville:

Donald Howard, 12.

“At Fortville:

Albert Whetzel, 87.

(United Press. “State Storm Toll.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN 3-27-1948, p.1.)

Sources

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

Logansport Press, IN. “Blast Rivals Rail Wreck as Worst State Disaster.” 11-2-1963, 5. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=84400396

United Press. “State Storm Toll.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN 3-27-1948, p.1. Accessed 9-26-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-mar-27-1948-p-1/

United Press “Tornado Kills Twenty in Indiana; Town of Coatesville Demolished.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN 3-27-1948, 1. Accessed 9-26-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-mar-27-1948-p-1/

[1] Reference, though, is made just to the Coatesville tornado.

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