Last edit by Wayne Blanchard January 25, 2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–552 Blanchard tally based upon State breakouts below.

Blanchard note: This death-toll number should be considered a minimum floor. Most of the deaths reported were noted as sunstrokes or the effects sunstrokes amongst adults. Generally, the larger death tolls during continued excessive heat days are amongst babies, the elderly, and those with a serious underlying health condition. Such deaths were not reported in the newspapers which were our sources for they went uncounted. It was the case that at least one source noted parenthetically that infant deaths from “cholera infantum” had gone up remarkably during the heat wave. As Dr. W. Own Brown of Providence, RI stated at a meeting of the Rhode Island Medical Society on October 2, 1861 “This disease occurs in New England in the hot weather of summer and early autumn, and is so familiar to most physicians, as to require no very minute definition.”

Summary of State and DC Breakouts Below

Connecticut ( 1) July 15

District of Columbia ( >10) July 13-17

Georgia ( 2) July 17

Illinois ( 14) July 11-16

Indiana ( 4) July 16

Iowa ( 3) July 16

Maine ( 1) July 14

Maryland ( 24) July 15-16

Massachusetts ( 30) July 6-18

Michigan ( 2) July 14

Missouri ( >45) July 12-16

New Jersey ( 30) July 14-16

New York ( 313) July 11-17

North Carolina ( 1) July 16

Ohio ( 42) July 10-17

Pennsylvania ( 17) July 14-16

Rhode Island ( 7) By July 15

Tennessee ( 2) July 17

Vermont ( 2) July 13-14

Virginia ( 2) July 15

552 July 10-18

Breakout of Heat-Related Deaths by State and Locality (when noted):

Connecticut ( 1) July 15

–1 Hartford, July 15. July 15. New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.

District of Columbia ( >10) July 13-17

— 1 July 13. NYT. “The Heated Term…Terrible Day…Horrible Night…,” 7/15/1868

— ~3 July 15 “There have been several deaths from the effects of the heat.”[1]

–6-7 July 16-17. New York Times. “Washington. The Weather-Deaths,” July 18, 1868, p. 2.

Georgia ( 2) July 17

–2 Savanah, July 17. Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, col. 4.

Illinois ( 14) July 4-16

–2 Chicago July 14. Sunstroke; 95⁰ temperature. Boston Post. “The Weather.” 7-16-1868, p. 2.

–2 “ July 15. Effects of sunstroke; John Cayle and George Miller.[2]

–1 Dixon July 14. Sunstroke; unidentified man found uncontrollable; died in police station.[3]

–1 Freeport July 14. Sunstroke; laborer in a brickyard. Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Freeport.”

–1 Malden July 14. Sunstroke. Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Malden.” 7-16-1868, p. 1.

–6 Onauama July 16~. Sunstrokes. Harvesters working in fields in extreme heat.[4]

–1 Quincy, noted in July 11 paper. Sunstroke; coroner’s inquest finding; Daniel Fisher, 18.[5]

Indiana ( 4) July 16

–4 Indianapolis, July 16, out of ten cases. Boston Post. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 2.

–2 Oakland, July 16. Sunstroke; David Heas, and Christiana Mollenkopf.[6]

Iowa ( 3) July 16

–3 Iowa City, July 16, out of seven cases. Boston Post. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 2.

Maine ( 1) July 14

–1 Biddeford, ~July 14. Sunstroke; Augustus Penny. Boston Post. “News Items.” 7-14-1868, p. 4.

Maryland ( 24) July 15-16

— 3 Baltimore, July 15. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

–21 “ July 16. Boston Post. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 2.[7]

–21 “ July 16. Lewis and Willsey. Harper’s Book of Facts. 1895, p. 75.

Massachusetts ( 30) July 6-18

–14 Boston July 6-12. Sunstroke deaths. Boston Post. “Brief Locals. 7-13-1868, p. 3.

–1 July 7~. Sunstroke; Bartholomew O’Brien of Springfield.[8]

— 2 Boston July 15. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

–1 Prostrated by heat on Washington Street, near Milk, died; Edward Fonkin.[9]

–1 Prostrated by heat on Fleet Street, died at home; Patrick Slark, stevedore.[10]

—>3 Boston July 18. Cases of sunstroke reported, “a large proportion of them were fatal.”[11]

— 1 Cambridge July 15. Effects of heat; found unconscious on Mt. Auburn street; died; stranger.[12]

— 1 Cambridge July 15. Sunstroke; Mt. Auburn St.; died in police station house; Flavel F. Goding.[13]

— 1 Fall River July 15. Sunstroke; Martin Nester.

— 1 Highlands (Lowell neighborhood), July 15. Sunstroke near Ruggles Court residence; John Maggan, 49.[14]

— 1 Greenfield July 14. Sunstroke; Thomas Mason. Boston Post. “The Weather.” 7-16-1868, 2.

— 1 Lowell July 15. Sunstroke; James Hamill. Boston Post. “News Items.” 7-16-1868, p. 4.

— 2 Springfield, July 4. Sunstroke; Dennis Folly and William Doughty.[15]

— 1 West Newbury ~July 13. Boston Post. “Brief Locals. 7-13-1868, p. 3.

— 2 Worcester, July 13. John Flynn, 67, and Wm. Murphy, 80 “died from sunstroke.”[16]

— 2 Worcester, July 14. Effects of sunstroke; Hugh Jearny, 45 and Thomas Whalen, 25.[17]

Michigan ( 2) July 14

–2 Detroit, July 14. Sunstrokes. Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “Yesterday’s News.” 7-16-1868, p. 1.

Missouri (>45) July 11-16

—>45 St. Louis, July 13-16. Blanchard tally from daily reports below.

— 1 St. Louis July 11. Sunstroke; wife of Dr. N. P. Duvall.[18]

–34 “ July 12-18. New York Times. July 18, 1868, p. 1.

–~10 “ July 13. New York Times. [Heat, Sunstroke in St. Louis]. July 16, 1868, p.1.

— >3 “ July 14. “Several deaths from sunstroke took place yesterday [14^th] in St. Louis.”[19]

— 11 “ July 15. Boston Post. “The Weather.” 7-17-1868, p. 2.

–>20 “ July 16. Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, col. 4.

New Jersey ( 30) July 14-16

–30 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— 4 Hoboken, July 15. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

— 2 Jersey City, July 14. NYT. “…Heated Term…Terrible Day…Horrible Night…,” 7-15-1868.

— 2 “ July 15. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

— 3 “ July 16. New York Times. “New York. General News,” July 18, 1868, p. 2.

— 1 Newark July 14. NYT. “The Heated Term…Terrible Day…Horrible Night…,” 7-15-1868.

–13 Newark July 15-16. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

“ –6 July 15. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

“ –8 July 16. New York Times. “New York. General News,” July 18, 1868, p. 2.

— 4 Trenton July 15-16. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

New York (313) July 11-17

— 21 Albany July 14-15. Quincy Daily Herald, IL. “From Albany.” 7-17-1868, p. 1, col. 3.

— “ ~12 July 15. Coroners reported about 12 cases from sunstroke and excessive heat.[20]

— 1 Brooklyn, July 13. NYT. “The Heated Term…Terrible Day…Horrible Night…,” 7-15-1868

— 3 “ July 14. NYT. “The Heated Term…Terrible Day…Horrible Night…,” 7-15-1868.

— 1 “ July 15. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

— 4 “ July 16. New York Times. “New York. General News,” July 18, 1868, p. 2.

— 7 Buffalo July 11-12. Gate City, Keokuk, IA. “Miscellaneous Items.” 7-14-1868, p. 2, c.2.

— 7 “ July 12-13. The Age, Philadelphia. “Cases of Sunstroke.” 7-14-1868, p. 1.

— 1 Kingston, July 15. New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.

–250 NYC, July 13-15. Register of Vital Statistics report of heat deaths “past three days.”[21]

–250 “ July 13-16. New York Times. “The Old Year. Chronology of 1868,” Jan 1, 1869.

— 3 “ July 13. Janesville Gazette, WI. “From New York,” July 14, 1868, p. 1.

— 54 “ July 14. NYT. “The Heated Term. A Terrible Day…Horrible Night…,” 7-15-1868.

— 43 “ July 15. New York Times. “Yesterday in the City…The Dead.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.[22]

— 50 “ July 16. New York Times. “New York. General News,” July 18, 1868, p. 2.

–~25 “ July 17. Titusville Herald, PA. “New York. General News,” July 18, 1868, p. 2.[23]

— 5 NYC Navy Yard, July 17. NYT. “New York. General News,” July 18, 1868, p. 2.

— 1 Poughkeepsie, July 14. New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.

— 1 Red Hook, July 15. New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.[24]

— 6 Rochester, July 14-15. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

–2 “ July 14, out of four sunstroke cases. Quincy Daily Herald, IL. 7-16-1868, p. 1.

— 2 Schenectady, Jul 13-14. NYT. “…Heated Term…Terrible Day…Night…,” 7-15-1868.

— 2 Williamsburg (neighborhood of Brooklyn, not then part of NYC). Luman and Kelly.[25]

— 3 Williamsburg, July 16. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

North Carolina ( 1) July 16

— 1 Wilmington, July 16. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

Ohio ( 42) July 10-17

— 1 Cincinnati July 10. Sunstroke; J. B. Woodruff, News Editor of the Cincinnati Daily Times.[26]

–38 “ July 13-17. Sunstrokes. Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1.

–13 “ July 15. Sunstrokes. Daily Herald, Newburyport, MA. “Editorial Items.” 7-17-1868, p. 2.

–10 “ July 16. Sunstroke. Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, c. 4.

— 1 Sandusky, July 14. Sunstroke. Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Sandusky.” 7-16-1868, p. 1.

— 2 “ July 15. Sunstrokes. Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Sandusky.” 7-16-1868, p1.

Pennsylvania ( 17) July 14-16

—>3 Philadelphia, July 15. “A very large number of cases of sun stroke, a few of which proved fatal.”[27]

–13 “ July 16. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” 7-17-1868, p. 8.

— 1 Pittsburgh July 14. Supposed sunstroke; driver of a lumber wagon died suddenly.[28]

Rhode Island ( 7) By July 15

— 6 Providence, by July 15. Boston Post. “News Items.” 7-16-1868, p. 4.

Edward Connelly

Patrick Green

Joseph Lewis

Patrick McGorem

Mary Stanley

John Walton

— 1 Woonsocket, July 12. Sunstroke; David Cook. Boston Post. 7-15-1868, p. 4.

Tennessee ( 2) July 17

–2 Nashville. “…the thermometer reached 100⁰ in the shade. Two deaths occurred from sunstroke.”[29]

Vermont ( 2) July 13-14

— 1 Burlington July 13. NYT. “…Heated Term…Terrible Day…Horrible Night…,” 7-15-1868

— 1 “ July 14. NYT. “…Heated Term…Terrible Day…Horrible Night…,” 7-15-1868.[30]

Virginia ( 2) July 15

— 2 Richmond, July 15. New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” July 17, 1868, p. 8.

Alabama

July 17: “Montgomery, Ala., July 17. – The hottest day here for many years. Thermometer 104⁰. There was one case of sunstroke.” (Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, c. 4.)

District of Columbia

July 15: “Washington, Wednesday, July 15. To-day was warmer than yesterday. The thermometer in House of Representatives was several degrees higher (or 92), while at other localities in the city, at 1 o’clock, the range was from 100 to 106. There have been several deaths from the effects of the heat.” (July 15. New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.)

July 17: “Washington, July 17. The weather continues oppressive and hot during the day. Out-door mechanics have suspended work. Many persons have been sickened by the heat, but so far only one or two deaths have occurred from that cause.” (Albany Daily Commercial, IN. “The Hot Weather – Death from Sun Stroke.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, col. 4.)

Georgia

July 17: “Savannah, July 17. – There were several cases of sunstroke to-day, two of which were fatal. Mercury 98⁰. (Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, col. 4.)

Illinois

July 7: “The past ten days, with the exception of about forty-eight hours when we enjoyed a cool northern breeze, have been almost unprecedented for the severity of the heat, at this season of the year. The air has kept hot after the sun has drawn his red rays out of it at night, and sleep has been a rare luxury to all who have been unfortunate enough not to have a country residence at least ten miles off from the red hot burning city. To persons in feeble health the weather is full of perils that ought to be guarded against with proper care. Physical debility, or the general prostration of the system is a common disease of our climate, and is epidemic when summer heat has reached the degree of severity which we are now experiencing.

“We have heard, since the Fourth, of numerous cases of sun-stroke in and near the city, and two of these have been fatal cases. At about twelve o’clock Sunday night Dr. Buecking was called from his office on Maine street, at attend on a Mrs. Meier, a German widow lady who had but recently come to our city, and who was visiting some friends near Seventh and Maine streets. She had exposed herself to the sun during the afternoon of Sunday, and during the evening become overpowered. Medical attendance was called in too late to avail anything, as we learn that she died during the night.

“A gentleman connected with the Herald office while passing Fifth and Broadway on Sunday afternoon, saw a laborer lying on the ground prostrated by the severity of the heat. They were making applications of ice and the proper restoratives, but with whet effect he did not learn. We did not learn the name. A gentleman from Gilmore township informs us that two cases of sunstroke, one of which was fatal, occurred at that place recently. A man without family named Weinheimer, somewhat advanced in years, had arrived there two weeks ago, directly from the old country, and sought and obtained work on a farm. While engaged in the harvest, which was not suspended on the Fourth, he fell, overpowered by a sun-stroke, and died suddenly. The coroner of the county was summoned to hold an inquest….” (Daily Herald, Quincy, IL. “Severe Weather – Numerous Cases of Sunstroke – Several of Them Fatal.” 7-7-1868, p. 4.)

July 17: “Chicago, July 17….Much suffering is accruing among the harvesters, owing to the extreme heat, and deaths from the effects of sunstroke are quite numerous. In one field near Onauama six out of ten men died from sunstroke. At Muscatine this morning at 8 o’clock, the thermometer stood at 90⁰…” (Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Chicago.” 7-18-2024, p. 1, c. 3.)

Iowa

July 4: “We regret to learn that Mr. D. G. Lowry is quite sick – suffering from a sun stroke. He is one of the victims of the intolerable heat of Saturday [July 4].” (Daily Gate City, Keokuk, IA. “City News.” 7-7-1868m p. 6, col. 1.)

Maryland

July 16, Lewis and Willsey. Harper’s Book of Facts. 1895, p. 75: “Baltimore….Excessive Heat: thermometer 97 to 101 in the shade; 30 cases of sunstroke; 21 fatal…16 July, 1868.”

July 16: “The weather reports from all parts of the country indicate universal and unusual hot weather. In some places the thermometer indicated over one hundred in the shade, and several deaths from sun-stroke are reported.” (The Port Tobacco Times and Charles County Advertiser, MD. [Heat] 7-16-1868, p. 2.)

July 17: “Baltimore, July 17. – There were thirty-two cases of sun stroke yesterday; thirty-one were fatal.” (Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1.)

Minnesota

July 17: “Minneapolis, July 17. – The thermometer yesterday ranged from 99⁰ to 105⁰ in the shade. One case of sun stroke is reported. There were fine showers in the country north and west last night.” (Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1.)

Missouri

“St. Louis, Wednesday, July 15….The excessive heat continues unabated, although a brisk shower fell this afternoon, accompanied with heavy thunder and lightning. Eleven cases of sun-stroke occurred to-day, and most of them will prove fatal. The total number of deaths in this city to-day was thirty-seven, a large proportion of which were young children.” (New York Times. [Heat, Sunstroke in St. Louis]. July 16, 1868, p.1.)

New York

July 13: “Buffalo, July 13. – Within forty-eight hours, ending Sunday afternoon, of the cases of sunstroke in the city, seven have proved fatal. The heat to-day is intense.” (The Age, Philadelphia. “Cases of Sunstroke.” 7-14-1868, p. 1.)

July 14: “New York, July 14. – The heat yesterday is said to have been the most intense that has prevailed in New York for fourteen years. A number of persons fell in the streets insensible from heat, two of whom died during the day. Thirty-seven persons were taken to the hospital yesterday, of whom three have since died.. At 3 o’clock yesterday morning the thermometer stood at 82 [degrees], at 4 p.m. at 97 [degrees], and at midnight at 88 [degrees].” (Janesville Gazette, WI. “From New York,” July 14, 1868, p. 1.)

July 15: “The bald statement of the range in the shade of the thermometer for the past three days conveys but a faint idea of the blistering heat upon the City… The days were the hottest of the year, and the succeeding nights were exceptional and terrible in discomfort. The days baked the city – the nights scorched it.

“As evening came on the heat grew more powerful, and night came bringing torture instead of relief. There was no relief anywhere. On the housetops or in the cellars; in the densest part of Baxter-street or upon the piers stretching into the soundless, glassy rivers was heat, all-pervading, all prostrating. Men eschewed the conventionalities of life – flung neck-ties, collars, vests and coast angrily away and searched wildly for something cool. The ladies stirred not beyond the precincts of home…Children waited with extreme discomfort and with a seeming dread of something worse; horses fell prone and lifeless on the streets…..

“To many homes of honest toil the torrid days brought disaster and wailing. Strong men went out in the morning to do strenuous battle for daily bread and with the evening came not home. The missing ones were found in the wards of the hospitals gasping, unconscious, or already dead. The record of the days was ghastly. The books of the Coroners’ office at noon yesterday showed thirty-four cases of sudden death and with every hour the casualty roll increased until with the close of business hours it had mounted to fifty-four….

“…we seem authorized in saying that the heat of the recent period has been more intense, and the extreme heat has been longer continued than has occurred before in eighty-nine years, and probably for a much longer period….” (NYT. “The Heated Term. A Terrible Day…Horrible Night…,” 7-15-1868.)

July 16, NYT: “The Hot Weather. Fatal Effects of the Heat – Large Number of Sunstrokes – A List of Hot Days for Forty Years Past.

“The large number of fatal cases of sun-stroke reported in our columns during the last week suggests a comparison of the present hot spell of weather with that of former years. Below will be found a table containing a list of what may be called extreme hot days from 1825 down to the present time [omitted]. It may, perhaps, be a consolation to those who have withstood the heat of the past week, and ‘still live,’ to know that for one generation at least there has been nothing in this region surpassing the present ‘heated term.’ The two hottest days recorded since 1825 were 10^th of July, 1838, and the 30^th of June, 1855, on each of which dates the thermometer rose as high as 103⁰. It may here be remarked, however, with regard to thermometers, that they are of very little use except for the purpose of telling the relative heat of one day with another or one season with another, and they are of no value even for this purpose unless the same thermometer is used from year to year and it is kept in the same place. The record of different thermometers kept in different localities in this City, for instance, during the past week, will show a variation of five, ten, or even fifteen degrees….

“During the present heated term in this City there has not been air enough stirring to ruffle the down on the white swans in Central Park. Men and animals were obliged to gasp twice to get their breath, and many of them failed in the end and died of the effort….” (New York Times. “The Hot Weather.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.)

July 17: “New York, July 17. – The cool breeze has rendered the sun’s heat more bearable today. The thermometer only reached 85⁰. Many cases of sun-stroke are yet reported, but the deaths will probably not exceed twenty-five.” (Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1.)

July 18: “A number of persons are reported as having been prostrated by the heat for the past twenty-four house in this city [NY] and Brooklyn. Dr. Hatch, Registrar of Statistics of the Board of Health, makes the startling announcement that 250 deaths are known to have resulted from excessive hear during the past three days within the Metropolitan District.” (Morning Oregonian, Portland. “By Overland Telegraph. Excessive Heat in New York,” July 18, 1868, p. 2.)

July 18: “The cool breezes rendered the sun’s heat more bearable to-day, and the thermometer only reached 87 [degrees]. Many cases of sun-strike are yet reported, but the deaths probably will not exceed 25.” (Titusville Herald, PA. “New York. General News,” July 18, 1868, p. 2.)

Jan 1, 1869: “Terrible mortality in New-York from sunstroke; 250 people killed in a week.” (New York Times. “The Old Year. Chronology of 1868,” Jan 1, 1869.)

Pennsylvania

July 15: “Philadelphia, Wednesday, July 15. The thermometer stood at 98 degrees to-day. A very large number of cases of sun-stroke are reported, but very few of them will prove fatal. Laborers generally are suspending their work.” (July 15. New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.)

Tennessee

July 17: “…Nashville, July 17…The thermometer was 100 degrees in the shade. Two deaths from sun stroke occurred to-day.” (Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, col. 4.)

Sources

Albany Daily Commercial, IN. “The Hot Weather – Death from Sun Stroke.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, col. 4. Accessed 1-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-albany-daily-commercial-jul-18-1868-p-1/

Boston Post. 7-15-1868, p. 4. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-post-jul-15-1868-p-4/

Boston Post. “Brief Locals. 7-13-1868, p. 3. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-post-jul-13-1868-p-3/

Boston Post. “Fatal and Other Serious Cases of Sunstroke.” 7-17-1868, p. 3. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-post-jul-17-1868-p-3/

Boston Post. “News Items.” 7-14-1868, p. 4. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-post-jul-14-1868-p-4/

Boston Post. “News Items.” 7-16-1868, p. 4. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-post-jul-16-1868-p-4/

Boston Post. “The Weather.” 7-16-1868, p. 2. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-post-jul-16-1868-p-2/

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Brown, Dr. W. Owen. “Cholera Infantum.” Paper read at quarterly meeting of the Rhode Island Medical Society, 10-2-1861. U.S. National Institutes of Health photocopy accessed 1-25-2024 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9757435/pdf/chicmedj144102-0006.pdf

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Daily Gate City, Keokuk, IA. “City News.” 7-7-1868m p. 6, col. 1. Accessed 1-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/keokuk-daily-gate-city-jul-07-1868-p-6/

Daily Herald, Newburyport, MA. “Editorial Items.” 7-15-1868, p. 2. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newburyport-daily-herald-jul-15-1868-p-2/

Daily Herald, Newburyport, MA. “Editorial Items.” 7-17-1868, p. 2. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newburyport-daily-herald-jul-17-1868-p-2/

Daily Herald, Quincy, IL. “Fatal Case of Sunstroke.” 7-11-1868, p. 4. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-jul-11-1868-p-4/

Daily Herald, Quincy, IL. “Severe Weather – Numerous Cases of Sunstroke – Several of Them Fatal.” 7-7-1868, p4. Accessed 1-24-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-jul-07-1868-p-4/

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Daily Milwaukee News, WI. “From New York,” 7-29-1868, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=120002847

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Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Chicago.” 7-18-2024, p. 1, c. 3. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-jul-18-1868-p-1/

Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Freeport.” 7-16-1868, p. 1., col. 3. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-jul-16-1868-p-1/

Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Malden.” 7-16-1868, p. 1, col. 3. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-jul-16-1868-p-1/

Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Sandusky.” 7-16-1868, p. 1, col. 3. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-jul-16-1868-p-1/

Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “Two Deaths in Chicago from the Effect of Sunstroke.” 7-16-1868, p. 1., col. 2. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-jul-16-1868-p-1/

Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “Yesterday’s News.” 7-16-1868, p. 1. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-jul-16-1868-p-1/

Dixon Weekly Herald, IL. [Sunstroke] 7-15-1868, p. 1. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dixon-weekly-herald-jul-15-1868-p-1/

Dubuque Daily Herald, IA. “From Chicago.” 7-8-1868, p. 1, col. 4. Accessed 1-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubuque-daily-herald-jul-08-1868-p-1/

Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “From Cincinnati.” 7-11-1868, p. 1, col. 5. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-wayne-daily-gazette-jul-11-1868-p-1/

Gate City, Keokuk, IA. “Miscellaneous Items.” 7-14-1868, p. 2, c.2. Accessed 1-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/keokuk-daily-gate-city-jul-14-1868-p-2/

Indianapolis Journal. “City News.” 7-18-1868, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 1-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indianapolis-journal-jul-18-1868-p-2/

Indianapolis Journal. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, col. 4. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indianapolis-journal-jul-18-1868-p-1/

Janesville Gazette, WI. “From New York” [Excessive Heat], July 14, 1868, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=53369892

Janesville Gazette, WI. “From New York” [Excessive Heat], July 17, 1868, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=53369906

Lewis, Charlton Thomas and Joseph H. Willsey (Eds.). Harper’s Book of Facts. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1895, 954 pp. Digitized by Google. Accessed 9-4-2017 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=UcwGAAAAYAAJ

Morning Oregonian, Portland. “By Overland Telegraph. Excessive Heat in New York,” July 18, 1868, p. 2. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/morning-oregonian-jul-18-1868-p-2/

New York Times. [Heat-Related Deaths in St. Louis]. July 18, 1868, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19710332

New York Times. “In Williamsburg.” 7-16-1868, p. 8, col. 2. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1868/07/16/issue.html

New York Times. “New York. General News” [Heat-related Deaths]. 7-18-1868, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2853981

New York Times. “The Heated Term. A Terrible Day and Horrible Night…,” July 15, 1868, p. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19710386

New York Times. “The Hot Weather. Fatal Effects of the Heat.” 7-16-1868, p. 8. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1868/07/16/issue.html

New York Times. “The Old Year. Chronology of 1868,” Jan 1, 1869. Accessed at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B01EFDE103AEF34BC4953DFB7668382679FDE

New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1868/07/16/issue.html

New York Times. “The Weather…The Dead,” 7-17-1868, p. 8. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19710463

New York Times. “Yesterday in the City…The Dead.” 7-16-1868, p. 8. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1868/07/16/issue.html

New York Times. “Washington. The Weather-Deaths,” 7-18-1868, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2853981

Pittsburgh Gazette, PA. “Coup de Soliel.” 7-15-1868, p. 8, col. 1. Accessed 1-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pittsburgh-gazette-jul-15-1868-p-8/

The Age, Philadelphia. “Cases of Sunstroke.” 7-14-1868, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-age-jul-14-1868-p-1/

The Alton Telegraph, IL. [Sunstrokes in St. Louis] 7-15-1868, p. 4. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-daily-telegraph-jul-15-1868-p-4/

The Evansville Journal, IN. “Late News Items.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, col. 1. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/evansville-journal-jul-18-1868-p-1/

The Port Tobacco Times and Charles County Advertiser, MD. [Heat] 7-16-1868, p. 2. Accessed 1-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-tobacco-times-and-charles-county-advertiser-jul-16-1868-p-2/

The Weekly Whig and Republican, Quincy, IL. “City Affairs.” 7-11-1868, p. 3. Accessed 1-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-whig-jul-11-1868-p-3/

Titusville Herald, PA. “New York. General News” [Heat Deaths], July 18, 1868, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2853981

[1] July 15. New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.

[2] Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “Yesterday’s News.” 7-16-1868, p. 1.

[3] Dixon Weekly Herald, IL. [Sunstroke] 7-15-1868, p. 1.

[4] Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Chicago.” 7-18-2024, p. 1, col. 3.

[5] Fisher “became sick” “working in the fields…” Was told to go into farmer’s house to rest. Body was later found on the way to the farmhouse. (Daily Herald, Quincy, IL. “Fatal Case of Sunstroke.” 7-11-1868, p. 4.)

[6] Indianapolis Journal. “City News.” 7-18-1868, p. 2, col. 2.

[7] “Baltimore, July 17 – The American publishes a list of 32 sunstrokes yesterday, 21 of which proved fatal.

[8] Daily Herald, Quincy, IL. “The Latest News By Telegraph.” P. 1, col. 4.

[9] Boston Post. “Fatal and Other Serious Cases of Sunstroke.” 7-17-1868, p. 3.

[10] Boston Post. “Fatal and Other Serious Cases of Sunstroke.” 7-17-1868, p. 3.

[11] Boston Post. “The Weather.” 7-18-1868, p. 2.

[12] Boston Post. “Fatal and Other Serious Cases of Sunstroke.” 7-17-1868, p. 3.

[13] Boston Post. “Fatal and Other Serious Cases of Sunstroke.” 7-17-1868, p. 3.

[14] Boston Post. “Fatal and Other Serious Cases of Sunstroke.” 7-17-1868, p. 3.

[15] Daily Herald, Quincy, IL. “The Latest News By Telegraph.” P. 1, col. 4.

[16] Daily Herald, Newburyport, MA. “Editorial Items.” 7-15-1868, p. 2.

[17] Boston Post. “The Weather.” 7-16-1868, p. 2.

[18] Cincinnati Commercial. “St. Louis.” 7-12-1868, p. 1, col. 2.

[19] The Alton Telegraph, IL. [Sunstrokes in St. Louis] 7-15-1868, p. 4.

[20] July 15. New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.

[21] July 15. New York Times. “The Weather Elsewhere.” 7-16-1868, p. 8.

[22] Our number – derived from counting a list of heat fatalities listed in the paper in first two columns.

[23] This was a speculation based on the number of reported cases of sun-stroke and prostration.

[24] “A farmer at Red Hook dropped dead in his field yesterday afternoon.”

[25] New York Times. “In Williamsburg.” 7-16-1868, p. 8, col. 2.

[26] Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “From Cincinnati.” 7-11-1868, p. 1, col. 5.

[27] Daily Quincy Herald, IL. “From Sandusky.” 7-16-1868, p. 1.

[28] Pittsburgh Gazette. “Coup de Soliel.” 7-15-1868, p. 8, col. 1.

[29] The Evansville Journal, IN. “Late News Items.” 7-18-1868, p. 1, col. 1.

[30] Possible reference to “man named Garvey” who died from a sunstroke. Boston Post. “News Items.” 7-16-1868, 4.

1868 — July 6-18, excessive heat/sunstroke, esp. NY/313, St. Louis/45, OH/42, Baltimore/24–552