2–31-38

lornajarrettblanchard November 25, 1952

–49 High-end of death toll range from State breakouts below.*

–38 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p.8.

–38 Charleston Gazette, WV. “Storms Leave 38 Dead in Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 1.

–31 UP. “Storm Deaths Mount to 31…” Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX, 11-28-1952, p. 1.

–31 Low-end of death toll range from State and locality breakouts below.

–28 Death toll as noted by locality and date; Blanchard tally.

Summary of State Breakouts Below

Colorado (2-11) Details located on only two deaths.

Iowa (4 – 7) Details located on only four deaths.

Kansas (2 – 5) Details located on two deaths.

Michigan ( 4)

Minnesota (2 – 5) Details located on two deaths.

Nebraska ( 9)

Oklahoma ( 4)

South Dakota ( 1) Could not locate any detail.

Texas ( 1)

Wisconsin ( 2)

* Not used as the death toll in that we could not substantiate many of the deaths as reported in various States by any additional detail, such as locality or cause of death. We assume some were vehicular, but could not locate that detail. In that a death-toll of 38 was the highest we have seen reported we use that number as the high-end of the death-toll range.

Breakout of Winter Storm Related Fatalities by State (and locality where noted):

Colorado (2-11)

–11 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8.

— 8 Greely Daily Tribune, CO. “Child Killed in Auto Accident in North Park.” 11-26-1952, p.1

–1 Cowdrey area, North Park, Jackson Co., Nov 25. Car accident; Phyllis Cornell, 4.^[1]

–1 Pueblo area, Nov 25. Traffic accident; Mrs. Tommie Ann Parrott, 61.

Iowa (4-7)

–7 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8.

–4 Council Bluffs Nonpareil, IA. “Second Wintry Punch; 16 Dead.” 11-27-1952, p. 16.

–1 Council Bluffs, late Nov 25. Car and truck collide during “blizzard;” Grover Hurley, 67.[2]

–1 Council Bluffs. Cause not identified.[3]

–1 Missouri Valley area, Nov 26. Apparent heart attack in snowbound car; Irvin C. Knott, 52.[4]

–1 Sheldon, Nov 26. Heart attack walking to work “through two-foot snowdrifts…”[5]

Kansas (2-5)

— 5 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8.

—>4 AP. “Highway Crews Continue Work.” Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. 11-27-1952, 2.

— 1 Augusta area. CO poisoning; Dwight Megli “found dead in his snow-bound car…”[6]

— 1 Wichita, Nov 26. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Albert Rouillard, 52.[7]

Michigan ( 4)

–4 St. Clair River. Drownings. United Press. 11-28-1952.[8]

Minnesota (2-5)

–5 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8.

–2 Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Midwest Storm Blocks Many Roads…” 11-26-1952, 1.

–1 Minneapolis. Heart attack? Collapsed/died after shoveling snow; Edward J. Van Laanen, 79.^[9]

–1 Willmar area, Nov 25, Heart attack? Collapsed trying to push car from snow-filled ditch.^[10]

Nebraska ( 9)

–9 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–8 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8.

–6 Lincoln Star, NE. “Six Deaths Blamed on Storm.” 11-27-1942, p. 1.

Breakout of Nebraska winter-storm-related fatalities by locality:

–1 Chappell area. Cars and snowplow collide; Mrs. Mary Filbin of Cheyenne, WY.[11]

–1 Hastings, Nov 25. Heart attack? Car stalls; collapsed after walking home through snow.[12]

–1 Lincoln, Nov 25. Heart attack? Car stalled in snow; tried to walk home; George J. Early, 55.[13]

–1 Ogallala area, Nov 26. Leonard L. Bunney, 37; apparent exposure; five miles from stalled car.[14]

–1 Omaha. William F. Hawck, ~60, “found in the snow, apparently frozen to death” ~home.[15]

–1 Omaha, Nov 26. Heart attack? Collapsed shoveling snow off sidewalk; Edward Knapp, 75.[16]

–1 Omaha. Apparent heart attack clearing snow from house to garage; Homer Sewell Olds, 80.[17]

–1 West Point area. Auto collision “during the blinding snowstorm.” George H. Craig, 24.[18]

–1 Yutan area, Nov 26. Carbon monoxide poisoning in snow-stalled car; Robert Kovanda, 47.[19]

Oklahoma ( 4)

–1 Council Bluffs Nonpareil, IA. “Second Wintry Punch; 16 Dead.” 11-27-1952, p. 16.

–1 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8.

–3 Pond Creek. “…head-on collision, caused by slippery roads, wiped out a family of three…”[20]

–1 Richmond area. Heart attack/over-exposure car stuck in snowdrift many hrs.; Mitchell Hoig.[21]

South Dakota ( 1)

— 1 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8.

Texas ( 1)

— 1 Council Bluffs Nonpareil, IA. “Second Wintry Punch; 16 Dead.” 11-27-1952, p. 16.

— 1 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8.

— 1 Amarillo. Train fireman slips on ice boarding moving locomotive, goes under wheels.^[22]

Wisconsin ( 2)

–1 Juneau, late Nov 25. Head-on collision. “Bad weather was blamed in part…” Warren Rohde.[23]

–1 Superior, Nov 26. Heart attack shoveling snow; Gustaf Peterson, 58.[24]

Narrative Information

Nov 25-26, Midwest: “By the Associated Press. Winds-whipped snow clamped an icy grip over wide sections of the Midwest today [Nov 26], stranding travelers, closing schools and blocking roads. At least six deaths were attributed to storm conditions.

“Almost a foot of snow was recorded in some towns. Kansas and Nebraska, where blizzard conditions prevailed in some areas Tuesday [Nov 25], apparently felt the greatest impact of the storm. But parts of Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas also got their share of the snow. The snow eased off during the night in most of the states but the weather bureau said it probably would continue in Minnesota and Iowa throughout today.

“Six to nine inches of snow cover a section 150 to 200 miles wide from southeastern Minnesota

southwestward into northern Texas. Four inches covered most of Kansas and Nebraska and northwestward into Wyoming and central Montana.

“Winds of 30-35 miles an hour with gusts of 45 to 50 mph created blizzard-like conditions in some areas. Drifting made snow depths variable. Highway travel was virtually halted in some places. Temperatures were below zero in the northern Rockies.

“The Kansas National Guard turned out to aid stranded motorists. At Wichita, hundreds of cars were reported snowbound along highways near the city. More than 150 persons were rescued during the night. Other marooned travelers sought shelter in farm houses. Public transportation in Wichita, a south-central Kansas city of 170,000 was suspended Tuesday night. Schools were closed until Monday. Electric service was interrupted. The storm piled almost a foot of snow on western and central Kansa….” (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Midwest Storm Blocks Many Roads, Causes Six Deaths; Southern Part of Minnesota Buried Under Snow.” 11-26-1952, p. 1.)

Nov 25-26, MN: “By The Associated Press. Winter’s first snowstorm in Minnesota, likened by some to the Armistice Day storm in 1940 that took the lives of so many duck hunters, virtually tied up southern Minnesota today with the entire state getting some of the side-effects.

“Two deaths were reported due to the storm. Bruce C. Hauser, 70, farmer north of Willmar, collapsed and died late Tuesday [Nov 25] while trying to push his car from, a snow filled ditch. Edward J. Van Laanen, 79, Minneapolis, collapsed and died after shoveling snow.

“The snow, whipped into drifts by winds up to 40 miles an hour, stopped virtually all highway travel, grounded airplanes and hampered railroads. Very few, if any vehicles were moving in the southern part of the state. Cars, trucks and buses were abandoned on Main street in Albert Lea, typical of many towns and cities in the area.

“Drifts at Albert Lea were five feet high and visibility was zero. Communications lines were open but the telephone company had to function without many of its regular employes. Many persons had difficulty in getting to work as bus line operation was halted. Streetcars in the Twin Cities were running on some lines, but halted on others. Schools were closed as the clogged roads halted bus operation. Radio Station WCCO said it had more than 200 reports of school closings early this morning, far more than at any time last winter….” (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Midwest Storm Blocks…Roads…Six Deaths; Southern…[MN] Buried Under Snow. …” 11-26-1952, p. 1.)

Nov 27: “The nation’s Midlands, hammered by a destructive snow and wind lashing, got belted with a second wintry punch of icy blasts Thursday. Temperatures plummeted during the night as skies cleared over much of the snow-covered Mid-Continent which counted 16 deaths in the late November storm, Hundreds of others were injured and property damage was extensive. The snow and cold prompted thousands to put planned Thanksgiving Day travel plans into the deep freeze along with the cold turkey. It looked like a chilly holiday for the Eastern two-thirds of the nation, with-the most severe cold in the Plains and Rocky Mountain region.

“Winds diminished from the near gale-like force which swept the region Tuesday and Wednesday, wind-swept snow dealt a knockout blow to traffic from Colorado eastward to Minnesota. Hundreds of travelers were marooned and power and communication lines were ripped down in many parts of the storm belt. Hardest hit areas were from the mountain regions of Wyoming and Colorado through Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. But strong winds whipped across other parts of the Mid-Continent — Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and the Dakotas. The cold air from the Rocky Mountains spread eastward across the prairie lands and dipped into the South. It was sub-zero early Thursday in sections of six states — Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Kansas and Nebraska. Readings of 15 to 20 degrees below were reported in the Rockies and up to seven below in Western Nebraska and Western Kansas.

“Temperatures were sub-freezing in other Mid-Continent areas. The cold blasts hit Northern Texas. A low of 13 was reported in Amarillo, the same reading as in Rapid City, S.D. The chilly air touched into the Southland as far as Northern Florida….

“Six deaths were attributed to the storm in Nebraska. There were four in Iowa, four in Kansas, one in Oklahoma and one in Texas.” (Council Bluffs Nonpareil, IA. “Second Wintry Punch; 16 Dead.” 11-27-1952, p. 16.)

Nov 29 (AP): “Bitter cold gripped a large portion of the country between the Appalachians and the Pacific Coast Friday, in the wake of storms that left 38 dead in the Midwest and Southwest.

“….The fatalities were caused by the pre-Thanksgiving Day snow and wind storms which left wide paths of discomfort and destruction in the Midwest and Southwest.

“Colorado reported the greatest number of victims of the weather — 11. Nebraska counted 8 dead; Iowa 6; Minnesota 5; Kansas 5; and one each in Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.

“The storms piled up huge snowdrifts across scores of highways in the stricken areas. Utility lines snapped under stress; hundreds of motorists were stalled on roads, unable to move against the growing snow pileups. Schools closed ahead of holiday schedules, and relief work was taxed to the limits in many regions. In some sections, the snow continued, though only light falls were reported. The numbing cold continued, too, in the Rocky Mountain area Friday [Nov 28], with some readings far below zero.” (Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Highway Crews Continue Work.” Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. 11-27-1952, p. 2. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lawrence-journal-world-nov-27-1952-p-2/

Associated Press. “Neb. Coldest Spot Friday in Nation.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NB. 11-28-1952, p. 1. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-nov-28-1952-p-1/

Associated Press. “State Man Dies in Car in Snowdrift.” Ada Weekly News, OK. 11-27-1952, p. 7. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ada-weekly-news-nov-27-1952-p-7/

Associated Press. “State Road Toll is Eight.” Ada Weekly News, OK, 11-27-1952, p. 7. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ada-weekly-news-nov-27-1952-p-7/

Associated Press, Wichita. “Two Deaths in Storm.” The Leavenworth Times, KS. 11-26-1952, p. 1. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leavenworth-times-nov-26-1952-p-1/

Boone News-Republican, IA. “Two Accidents in Storm; One Killed, 8 Hurt.” 11-26-1952, p. 11. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boone-news-republican-nov-26-1952-p-11/

Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Midwest Storm Blocks Many Roads, Causes Six Deaths; Southern Part of Minnesota Buried Under Snow.” 11-26-1952, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=35337186&sterm

Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Weather (continued from p.1),” 11-27-1952, p. 10. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-nov-27-1952-p-10/

Charleston Gazette, WV. “Cold Weather Moving East; 15 Persons Die.” 11-27-1952, pp. 1 and 8. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=40046288&sterm

Charleston Gazette, WV. “Storms Leave 38 Dead in Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=40046354&sterm

Council Bluffs Nonpareil, IA. “Second Wintry Punch; 16 Dead.” 11-27-1952, p. 16. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=6985129&sterm

Council Bluffs Nonpareil, IA. “The White and Drifted Snow.” 9-29-1952, p. 2. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/council-bluffs-nonpareil-nov-29-1952-p-14/

Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Six Deaths Blamed to Snow.” 11-26-1952, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=35796512&sterm

Lincoln Star, NE. “Six Deaths Blamed on Storm.” 11-27-1942, p. 1. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-star-nov-27-1952-p-1/

Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA. “12 Killed in Blizzard, Transportation Ties.” 11-26-1952, p. A6. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/long-beach-press-telegram-nov-26-1952-p-6/

Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cold Grips Major Portion of Nation.” 11-29-1952, p. 8. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=107677053&sterm

United Press. “Iowa Snowbound in Raging Storm.” Boone News-Republican, IA, 11-26-1952, pp. 1, 11. Accessed 2-9-2020: https://newspaperarchive.com/boone-news-republican-nov-26-1952-p-1/

United Press. “Omaha Has Fourth Blizzard Victim.” The Daily Plainsman, Huron, SD, 11-30-1952, p. 1. Accessed 2-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-huronite-and-daily-plainsman-nov-30-1952-p-1/

United Press. “Snow and Ice Kill Many in ‘Wastelands’.” The Daily Review, Hayward, CA, 11-26-1952, p. 1. Accessed 2-9-2020: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-review-nov-26-1952-p-1/

United Press. “Storm Deaths Mount to 31 as Sharp Cold Grips Midwest.” Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX, 11-28-1952, p. 1. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/valley-morning-star-nov-28-1952-p-1/

Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “7-Above Chill Due by Tonight.” 11-27-1952, p. 2. Accessed 2-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-nov-27-1952-p-2/

[1] “Nine persons have died from automobile accidents since the snow swept over the Rocky Mountain region last Friday….[A] four year old girl was killed near Cowdrey in North Park (Jackson county) Tuesday afternoon in a one-auto highway accident, the state patrol headquarters at Greeley reported. Sheriff Norman Woodruff at Walden, who investigated the tragedy, said that the dead child is Phyllis Carol Cornell of Cowdrey.” Notes it was snowing.

[2] Boone News-Republican, IA. “Two Accidents in Storm; One Killed, 8 Hurt.” 11-26-1952, p. 11.

[3] “At least two lives were lost in Council Bluffs during the recent storm…It was one of the worst storms on record…” (Council Bluffs Nonpareil, IA. “The White and Drifted Snow.” 9-29-1952, p. 2.)

[4] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Weather (cont. from p.1),” 11-27-1952, p. 10. Missouri Valley is just north of Omaha.

[5] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Weather (cont. from p.1),” 11-27-1952, p. 10. Sheldon is NE of Sioux City.

[6] “Dwight Megli of Augusta was found dead in his snow-bound car about five miles west of Augusta [just east of Wichita]. The death was attributed to asphyxiation. Megli had spent the night in his car with the motor running…” (Associated Press, Wichita. “Two Deaths in Storm.” The Leavenworth Times, KS. 11-26-1952, p. 1.)

[7] Associated Press, Wichita. “Two Deaths in Storm.” The Leavenworth Times, KS. 11-26-1952, p. 1.)

[8] United Press. “Storm Deaths Mount to 31…” Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX, 11-28-1952, p. 1.

[9] Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Midwest Storm Blocks Many Roads, Causes Six Deaths…” 11-26-1952, p. 1.

[10] Brice C. Hauser, 70, a north Willmar farmer. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Midwest Storm…Drifts Five Feet High at Albert Lea.” 11-26-1952, p. 1.)

[11] Lincoln Star, NE. “Six Deaths Blamed on Storm.” 11-27-1942, p. 1.

[12] Lincoln Star, NE. “Six Deaths Blamed on Storm.” 11-27-1942, p. 1.

[13] Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA. “12 Killed in Blizzard, Transportation Ties.” 11-26-1952, p. A6.

[14] Associated Press. “Neb. Coldest Spot Friday in Nation.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NB. 11-28-1952, p. 1.

[15] Lincoln Star, NE. “Six Deaths Blamed on Storm.” 11-27-1942, p. 1.

[16] Associated Press. “Neb. Coldest Spot Friday in Nation.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NB. 11-28-1952, p. 1.

[17] United Press. “Omaha Has Fourth Blizzard Victim.” The Daily Plainsman, Huron, SD, 11-30-1952, p. 1. Notes that Robert Kovanda, who we show as dying in the Yutan area, was a Omaha resident (being 4^th Omaha death).

[18] Lincoln Star, NE. “Six Deaths Blamed on Storm.” 11-27-1942, p. 1. Victim was from Magnet, Nebraska.

[19] Lincoln Star, NE. “Six Deaths Blamed on Storm.” 11-27-1942, p. 1.

[20] Associated Press. “State Road Toll is Eight.” Ada Weekly News, OK, 11-27-1952, p. 7. Victims identified as Billy Dean Grayson, 25 of Enid, wife Wilma Jean Grayson, 22, and son Billy John Grayson, 8-months.

[21] Associated Press. “State Man Dies in Car in Snowdrift.” Ada Weekly News, OK. 11-27-1952, p. 7.

[22] Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Six Deaths Blamed to Snow.” 11-26-1952, p. 1.

[23] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “7-Above Chill Due by Tonight.” 11-27-1952, p. 2.

[24] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “7-Above Chill Due by Tonight.” 11-27-1952, p. 2.