1903 — June 1, Tornado, Gainesville (including former mill village New Holland), GA –98-113

–98-113  Blanchard estimated range based on sources cited below (not including early press).[1]

 

–100-200  Assoc. Press. “Tornado Kills 200.” Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. 6-1-1903, p1.[2]

—       132  Hamilton Evening Sun, OH. “The Dead. Tornado.” 6-2-1903, p. 1. (day after press)

–85  Gainesville                  –35  New Holland                  –12  White Sulphur

—       125  Baltimore Sun, “125 Dead; 300 Wounded,” 6-5-1903, p. 1; citing Mayor Parker.

—       113  Collier, Paul; cited in Vardeman 2016.[3]

—       111  The World, NYC. “Dead is Southern Tornado Reach 111.” 6-3-1903, p. 2.

—       110  Corydon Democrat, IN. “Bunched Paragraphs.” 6-10-1903, p. 7.

—       107  Blanchard breakout of fatalities by locality as noted below.[4]

—  98-104  Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology… 1993, p. 700.[5]

–~50  Gainesville Cotton Mill.[6]        –~40  New Holland village.

—       104  Gainesville Mayor P. N. Parker report; cited in Vardeman 2016.

—     >100  Los Angeles Herald, CA. “Death in Tornado’s Path. Gainesville, GA…” 6-2-1903, 1.

—     >100  Vardeman. “113 years ago, another tornado took deadly toll on Gainesville.” 5-22-2016.

—         98  Brooks and Doswell.  “Normalized Damage from Major Tornadoes…” 2000.

—         98  Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. EM DAT Database.

—         98  Grazulis. The Tornado: Nature’s Ultimate Windstorm. 2001, p. 292. F4 at 12:45 PM.

—         98  Marbury. “Tornado at Gainesville, Ga., June 1, 1903,” MWR, June 1903, p. 269.[7]

—         98  NOAA. The 25 Deadliest U.S. Tornadoes.

—    85-90  Baltimore Sun. “Funerals Are Rushed. Almost One A Minute…” 6-4-1903, p. 2.

 

Breakouts by names (and locations if noted) — 107

 

Gainesville                                                      55

George Jones Store:                                        1

Logan’s Store near Southern Depot:            8

New Holland:                                                 42

 

Gainesville: (All from June 1, Los Angeles Herald wire report unless otherwise noted.) (54)

 

  1. Adams (boy). Baltimore Sun. “Funerals Are Rushed…Gainesville.” 6-4-1903, 2.
  2. Carlisle Addison (fatally injured).
  3. Will Addison (fatally injured).
  4. Homer Ash, 9. Buried in Redwine Cemetery, Oakwood, Hall County, [8]
  5. Gordon “Golden” Ash, 15. Buried with brother Homer Ash.[9]
  6. Bill Blackshear (fatally injured).
  7. Willie Boone (fatally injured).
  8. Daisy Bryson (fatally injured).
  9. J. M. Camp (another paper has name as Mrs. Marshal Camp)[10]
  10. Baby of Mrs. Camp.
  11. Miss Clack.
  12. Doc Clark (fatally injured).
  13. Perry Connor, black. (fatally injured).
  14. Mary Duncan.
  15. Buela Edmundson (fatally injured).
  16. Ora English. Baltimore Sun. “Funerals Are Rushed…At Gainesville.” 6-4-1903, 2.
  17. Alonso Ford (fatally injured).
  18. Annie Garret (or Garrett).[11]
  19. Jack Garrett (listed twice in succession; could be father and son or mistake).[12]
  20. Claude Gordon (fatally injured).
  21. Maude Gordon.
  22. D. Habers.
  23. T. Henderson (fatally injured).
  24. Baby of Mrs. Howington.[13]
  25. Lula Jackson, 17. Buried Alta Vista Cemetery, Gainesville.[14]
  26. Nathan Jones (fatally injured).
  27. Sarah Lou Jones, 16 (wife of W. A. N. Jones, buried in Gainesville GA.[15]
  28. Bessie Kinney (fatally injured).
  29. _____ Knowles.
  30. Jack G. Lee.[16]
  31. Miss Leggins.
  32. D. Lovern. Baltimore Sun. “Funerals Are Rushed…Gainesville.” 6-4-1903, 2.
  33. Ethel Lyle.
  34. John J. Mayne, 72. Buried in Alta Vista Cemetery, Gainesville, [17]
  35. Ola Miller (fatally injured).
  36. O. Miller (fatally injured).
  37. John Paul Murphy, 15. Find A Grave. “John P Murphy,” died 6-1-1903, Gainesville.

Jack Murphy, 12. Plymouth Tribune, IN. “Death in the Winds.” 6-4-1903, p. 1.[18]

  1. Ed Nagles (or Nabors)[19].
  2. Miss Noel (fatally injured).
  3. Claude Shedd.
  4. Joe Schubert (or Shubert)[20] (fatally injured).
  5. Annie Shubert.[21] (fatally injured).
  6. James Simpson (fatally injured).
  7. John Simpson (fatally injured).

Ada Skinner                (fatally injured).[22]

  1. Bessie May Skinner, 15. Find A Grave. “Bessie May Skinner.”[23]
  2. Odom A. Skinner, 12. Find A Grave. “Odum A. Skinner.”[24]
  3. Dorothy Sloan.
  4. D. Somerville (fatally injured).
  5. Doc Stovall (fatally injured).
  6. Alice Subbers (fatally injured).
  7. Bessie Talley (fatally injured).
  8. Talley (fatally injured).
  9. _____ Thompson (fatally injured).
  10. Paul Waddell. Baltimore Sun. “Funerals Are Rushed…Gainesville.” 6-4-1903, 2.
  11. Miss Woods.

 

George Jones Store:                                      (  1)

— 1  Mrs. George Jones.  Los Angeles Herald, CA. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

 

Logan’s Store near Southern Depot:          (  8)

–8  Men (6 white, 1 black). Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.[25]

 

New Holland:                                                 (40)

  1. Mary Ann Smith Able, 70. Find A Grave. “Mary Ann Smith Able.”
  2. Baby of Mrs. Amgee.[26]
  3. Anderson (girl, fatally inj.) Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, 1.
  4. Will Banks.             Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  5. O. W. (or O.H.[27]) Bass. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, 1.
  6. Son of Mrs. Bass. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  7. Janice Bedford. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  8. Baby of Mrs. Janis Bedford.[28]
  9. Bryan (or Bryant)[29] Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  10. Son of Mrs. Bryan/Bryant. LA Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  11. Bryer (girl, fatally inj.) Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p1.
  12. T. F. Coaker (or Mrs. T.A. Coker[30]). LA Herald. “Death in Tornado’s…” 6-2-1903, p.1.
  13. Bennie Hendricks (or Hendrix[31]). LA Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  14. Hendricks, fatally injured. LA Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  15. K. Ivys (fatally inj.). Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  16. Kelly.             Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  17. Jenie Leford and baby.[32]
  18. Albert Lloyd.             Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  19. Magee baby.        Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  20. Marion Mawill. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  21. John T. (or A.[33]) Mayne. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  22. Sarah Elizabeth Able Neely (daughter of Mary Ann Able), 45. Find A Grave.
  23. H. H. Nelson.         Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  24. H. L. Nix.             Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  25. O’Kelly.[34] Dubuque Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills A Hundred.” 6-2-1903, 1.
  26. R. H. Passa. Dubuque Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills A Hundred.” 6-2-1903,1.
  27. Son of Mrs. Passa. Dubuque Times. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills A Hundred.” 6-2-1903,1.
  28. H. Phillips’ child. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  29. 2nd H. Phillips’ child. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  30. William Tatum.             Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  31. Tom Truelove.[35] Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  32. Maggie Westmoreland. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  33. Myrtle Westmoreland. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  34. J. R. White.             Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.[36]
  35. Child of Mrs. White. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  36. 2nd child of Mrs. White. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  37. W. B. Wobe.[37]    Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p. 1.
  38. Lilly Pearl York, 4. Find A Grave. “Lilly Pearl York.” 3-19-2013 record addition.
  39. Herman York (brother of Lilly Pearl York), 1. Find A Grave. “Herman York.” 3-19-2013.
  40. Black female, name unknown. LA Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, 1.
  41. 2nd black female, name unk. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, p1.
  42. White man, name unknown. Los Angeles Herald. “Death in Tornado’s Path…” 6-2-1903, 1.

 

Narrative Information

 

Marbury: “On the afternoon of June 1 one of the most destructive tornadoes in the history of Georgia struck the outskirts of the City of Gainesville, in Hall County, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. The track of the storm was about 4 miles in length and from 100 to 200 feet in width. The course taken was from southwest to northeast along the southern outskirts of the city, and was marked by death, destruction, and desolation.

 

“The city proper is situated on an elevated plateau about 1300 feet above sea level, but the section passed over by the tornado runs northeast and southwest around the town, and is over 100 feet lower, forming a miniature valley-like depression with hills on either side. The devastated territory was occupied by several large cotton mills and the homes of employees and the negro element of the city. The fearful death list is due to the crowding together of so many persons employed in the doomed mills. Most of the negroes were away on a large picnic excursion, or the loss of life would doubtless have been doubled.

 

“The weather map for the morning of the 1st presented no abnormal features, certainly nothing heralding any severe storms. Cloudy and unsettled weather covered the major portion of the country, and thunderstorms occurred at numerous points in middle and northern Georgia during the preceding night. The pressure was highest over the Great Lakes with the barometer 30.40 inches at Marquette, Mich. The lowest pressure east of the Rockies was in Missouri where it was but little lower than normal. The temperature was below 70°, except in the southeastern portion of this State.

 

“During the early hours of the day the weather was somewhat erratic, alternating between sunshine and light showers with rather oppressive temperature. About noon heavy black clouds were seen forming in the southwest and soon continuous, though at first distant, thunder was heard. At the same time the wind blew briskly from the northeast, increasing in force as the clouds approached. A few moments later regular tornado clouds began forming, first in the southwest, and later in the west and northwest, in which was noticed what seemed to be a violent whirling motion; at the same time clouds were observed rushing in nearly all directions toward the tornadic disturbance. The tornado clouds were of the characteristic greenish hue, increasing in their horrible grandeur as they drew nearer. The clouds so closely resembled smoke that many thought it was smoke from an approaching locomotive; the cloud was approaching along the general direction of the Southern Railway. The appearance preceded by only a few seconds the development of the funnel-shaped cloud which descended toward the earth. Then there  was a few seconds of death-like calm, the thunder ceased.

 

“Soon, to the southwest was heard a deafening roar. The funnel-shaped cloud kept close to the surface and began its deadly work about one mile southwest of Gainesville, striking a large cotton mill at exactly 12:45 p. m., eastern time, just 10 minutes after 750 employees had filed into the great structure from dinner. Only the fourth and fifth floors of this building were injured by the wind, although the entire structure was damaged by the heavy downpour of rain. On the top floor of the mill were employed 250 children, and it was here that the greatest loss of life occurred. The force of the wind tore the roof and top story off and hurled giant timbers and massive blocks of marble for a distance of more than a hundred feet. Children employed in the spinning room were hurled to the ground and instantly killed. Only two or three bodies were found inside the building, the rest were buried in the debris in front of the building.

 

“The fifth floor of the mill fell forward in the direction of the storm’s progress, while the rear end remained almost intact, the floor slanting at an angle of about 45°. For half a mile to the southwest of the mill trees were blown down and a few outhouses wrecked, but no great damage was done. The village of the mill where most of the employees live, in 80 of the company’s houses, was absolutely unharmed by the storm. This is due to the fact that this village stood on a high hill above the mill.

 

“The walls of the mill fell outward and the roof was lifted into the air and held suspended for several seconds, showing that a decided vacuum was formed just over the doomed building.

 

“The people in the building had no opportunity to prepare for the great danger. Clouds overhung the sky most of the morning, but they looked like many other rain clouds they had seen, and no special attention was paid to them. With a roar and a rush sounding like ‘a hundred express trains’ the storm came down upon the unsuspecting victims with all its maddening fury. The fury of the gale lasted only a few seconds, when the air became as quiet and still as death for a few moments. Then the rain came down in torrents, accompanied by vivid lightning and wild rolls of thunder. During this time the rescuers worked among the debris.

 

“In the rear of the mill was an immense standpipe, fully 50 feet off the ground and about 50 feet tall in itself. This standpipe was about 40 feet in diameter and was covered with an immense sheet iron cupola. This great cupola, weighing several tons, was lifted bodily from the top of the standpipe, carried high into the air, and dropped about a hundred feet in front of the mill, killing several persons who had thus far escaped danger. With the exception of the loss of the cupola, the great standpipe was uninjured. A brick chimney 125 feet high and directly in the path of the storm was uninjured.

 

“The next building in the path of the storm [which was moving northeast] was the Gainesville Iron Works, which was badly damaged; the roof was blown off and the walls thrown out of plumb, but no lives were lost, as no one was in the building at the time.

 

“The storm then jumped across the tracks of the Southern Railway Company, destroying the switch signals and targets and all telegraph and telephone poles along its track. Freight cars standing on the side tracks were taken up bodily and thrown against a near embankment. In some instances cars were lifted from the trucks and carried some distance away; others were carried away trucks and all. Huge pieces of timber and logs were carried along with frightful velocity.

 

“When the storm first crossed the railroad tracks it seemed heading directly toward the center of the city, half a mile distant, but it swerved to the east, cutting a path from 200 to 300 yards wide, until it struck the mill village of New Holland, 2 miles northeast of the Gainesville depot. At New Holland, where is located the Pacolet Mills, one of the largest cotton manufacturing plants in the South, the course of the storm turned and the mill was but little damaged, but the village of cottages, where lived the 1300 employees, was almost entirely destroyed. Out of the 120 cottages about 70 were totally wrecked. Hundreds were at work in the mill and were saved, but a large number, especially the aged women and small children, were in the cottages and many were killed. It is estimated that at least $100,000 damage was done goods and machinery at this mill.

 

“After leaving New Holland the fury of the storm lessened so rapidly that, beyond a few fences and small trees being blown down, no damage was done. The entire track of the tornado was about 4 miles. In all, 98 persons were killed, nearly double that number injured, while the money value of the property loss amounted to about $1,000,000.” (Marbury, J. B. “Tornado at Gainesville, Ga., June 1, 1903,” Monthly Weather Review, June 1903, pp. 268-269.)

 

Newspapers

 

June 1, AP: “Atlanta, Ga., June 1.–2:30 p.m.–The reports from Gainesville now place the loss of life at 200.

 

“Atlanta, Ga., June 1.–(By long distance message from Gainesville.)–Shortly after the noon hour today, the city was struck by a tornado killing, it is claimed 100 persons, unroofing the city hotel and other large buildings and destroying the Gainesville Cotton mills.

 

Eighty Die Together

 

“The death list will not be known until the debris is cleared away. The greatest loss is reported in the direction of the cotton mill where about eighty are believed to be killed and a score injured.

 

“Eighteen persons were killed in the city where four large stores are blown down. The storm had driven many people into the stores for refuge and they probably all were killed.

 

“There were 500 at work in the cotton mills when the storm came up. The mill was a three story building. The roof of the City electric car barn was blown off.

 

“The tornado struck the town in the southern portion. It came with a frightful roar and the day was turned into night. As the people fled they were caught by the wind and blown in all directions.

 

“Some houses were torn to fragments. Others were lifted from their foundation and carried intact for blocks.

 

“Many persons were picked up by the storm and carried over trees and houses for long distances.

 

“The Bell telephone and the Western Union lost all wires, but the Bell people got a wire working shortly afternoon and the Western Union put a wire into service. Both these wires were turned over to the city to be used in calling physicians. Every town that can be reached has been urged to rush surgeons to Gainesville.

 

“It is now believed that the death list of 100 is a conservative estimate. Such wounded as have been rescued are being cared for and everybody who is uninjured is at work relieving the suffering. The property loss cannot be estimated at this hour.

 

“At 2 o’clock the Western Union wire in the Atlanta Journal’s office was cut through to Duluth, this side of Gainesville and later reached Gainesville. The operator reports the above details not exaggerated….He says estimates now place the dead and wounded at 200 at the cotton mill alone. To this number must be added the eighteen or twenty killed in Gainesville proper and the scores of wounded….” (Associated Press. “Tornado Kills 200.” Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. 6-1-1903, p. 1.)

 

June 1: “Gainesville, Ga., June 1.–A tornado of terrific force struck Gainesville this afternoon…causing great loss of life in this city and in New Holland and White Sulphur.[38] As near as can be calculated at this hour the results are eighty-five men, women and children dead, perhaps forty fatally injured and about 100 less seriously hurt….: (Indianapolis Journal, IN. “Eighty-Five Dead…Death Rides a Tornado…Two-Thirds of the Victims Are White Women and Children Employes of the Cotton Mill.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.)

 

June 2: “(Special to The World.). Gainesville, Ga., June 2.–The dead at this place and at New Holland Springs, victims of the tornado yesterday, number 111, according to a count at 11 o-clock to-night. A score of others are expected to die before morning. The bodies of the unfortunates lie in long rows at Pacolet Cotton Mills, where morgues have been improvised; at the Gainesville Cotton Mills, and at Jones & Logan’s store…

 

“Besides the dead there were 150 persons injured, and 800 were made homeless, their homes being swept away…

 

“The thirty-two who met death at Pacolet Mills were killed in the company’s cottages while thirty-six were killed at the Gainesville Mills, where the tornado first struck. Eight met death in the destruction of Jones & Logan’s store. All of the victims, except one, were men [not accurate], the exception being Mrs. Jones, wife of one of the owners of the store. Among the dead is John Mayne, formerly clerk of the Superior Court of Hall County….” (The World, NYC. “Dead is Southern Tornado Reach 111.” 6-3-1903, p. 2.)

 

June 3: “Gainesville, Ga., June 3.–The death list from Monday’s tornado is now between 85 and 90. The injured number over 100.

 

“About 60 funerals of victims were held last night and today. There was no attempt at any sort of ceremonial; in many cases a clergyman was not present. The bodies were rapidly consigned to the earth, with a hastily uttered prayer or the singing of a hymn. For half an hour almost one funeral a minute was conducted in the desolated city of mill cottages, where the tornado wrought its greatest havoc.

 

“Six more dead bodies have been identified — those of Ora English, Odom Skinner, Paul Waddell, S. D. Lovern, Lula Jackson and a boy named Adams. Eight bodies are still unidentified….” (Baltimore Sun, MD. “Funerals Are Rushed. Almost One A Minute For A Half Hour At Gainesville.” 6-4-1903, p. 2.)

 

June 3: “Gainesville, Ga., June 3…this city was struck by a terrific tornado, killing probably one hundred persons…

 

“Eighteen persons were killed in the city between the center of town and the railroad station, where four large stores were blown down. The storm had driven many persons into these stores for refuge.

 

“There were 500 persons at work in the cotton mill when the cyclone struck….Twenty-six bodies were recovered in a few hours….

 

“The Gainesville iron works was demolished and several people perished in the wreck….

 

“The old Piedmont hotel, now used as a schoolhouse, was razed, and half a dozen or more people were killed in it.

 

“The Richmond hotel was wrecked, and several perished along with it.

 

“One hundred and twenty-five cottages, a schoolhouse and church were blown away in the negro section of the town.

 

“Five brick stores on the main street of Gainesville were swept away. In all about two hundred buildings were demolished.

 

“The tornado went from Gainesville to New Holland, and 33 persons were killed at that place….” (Jasper Weekly Courier, IN. “One Hundred Lives Lost. Tornado Strikes Gainesville, Ga…,” 6-5-1903, p. 6.)

 

June 3: “Gainesville, Ga., June 3….Secretary of War Root has telegraphed Senator Clay and Congressman Tate that the government will send tents and such other temporary assistance as may seem necessary….” (Union Recorder, Milledgeville, GA. “The Gainesville Cyclone.” 6-9-1903, p. 3.)

 

June 4: “Gainesville, Ga., June 4.–Mayor Parker, of Gainesville, today made the first summary of conditions in the storm-swept city as he sees them:

 

The dead will number 125 by the end of the next 24 hours. Three hundred is a conservative estimate of the injured, some of whom will die. Four hundred houses have been destroyed. I estimate the number of homeless at 1,500. The financial loss will reach $600,000. There is still a need for more physicians.”

 

(Baltimore Sun, “125 Dead; 300 Wounded,” 6-5-1903, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Tornado Kills 200.” Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. 6-1-1903, p. 1. Accessed 8-9-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oshkosh-daily-northwestern-jun-01-1903-p-1/

 

Baltimore Sun, “125 Dead; 300 Wounded,” 6-5-1903, p. 1. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/baltimore-sun-jun-05-1903-p-1/

 

Baltimore Sun. “Funerals Are Rushed. Almost One A Minute For A Half Hour At Gainesville.” 6-4-1903, p. 2. Accessed 8-10-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/baltimore-sun-jun-04-1903-p-2/

 

Brooks, Harold E. and Charles A Doswell III (NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory).  “Normalized Damage from Major Tornadoes in the United States: 1890-1999.” Revised manuscript submitted as Note to Weather and Forecasting, Vol. 16, 9 p., Sep 2000.  Accessed 11-25-2017 at: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/users/brooks/public_html/damage/tdam1.html

 

Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. EM DAT Database. Louvain, Belgium:  Universite Catholique do Louvain. Accessed at: http://www.emdat.be/

 

Corydon Democrat, IN. “Bunched Paragraphs.” 6-10-1903, p. 7. Accessed  8-11-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corydon-democrat-jun-10-1903-p-7/

 

Decatur Daily Democrat, IN. “Out of Clear Sky. Tornado Swoops Down Upon Southern Town and Does Fearful Work. A Hundred or More Persons Killed at Gainesville, Ga., and in that Vicinity. Victims Were Mostly Cotton Mill Operatives and Mainly Women and Children.” 6-2-1903, p. 4. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-democrat-jun-02-1903-p-4/

 

Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-times-jun-02-1903-p-1/

 

Find A Grave. “Bessie May Skinner.” Record created by William Knight. Added 9-28-2007. Accessed 8-11-2-18 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21806069/bessie-may-skinner

 

Find A Grave. “Gordon ‘Golden’ Ash.” Record created by F. Ragan Hoover and added 2-8-2011. Accessed 8-9-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65378110/gordon-ash

 

Find A Grave. “Herman York.” 3-19-2013 record addition. Accessed 8-9-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106979187/herman-york

 

Find A Grave. “Homer Ash.” Record created by F. Ragan Hoover and added 2-8-2011. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65378177/homer-ash

 

Find A Grave. “John J. Mayne.” Record created by William Roha; added 4-17-2011. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68535273/john-j-mayne

 

Find A Grave. “John P. Murphy.” Record created by William Roha; added 4-17-2011. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68536009/john-p-murphy

 

Find A Grave. “Lilly Pearl York.” 3-19-2013 record addition. Accessed 8-9-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106978934/lilly-pearl-york

 

Find A Grave. “Lula Jackson.” Record created by William Roha; added 4-17-2011. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68533902/lula-jackson

 

Find A Grave. “Odum A Skinner.” Record created by William Knight; added 9-28-2007. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21806068/odum-a-skinner

 

Find A Grave. “Mary Ann Smith Able.” 9-24-2009 record addition. Accessed 8-9-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42339085/mary-ann-able

 

Find A Grave. “Sarah Elizabeth Able Neely.” 9-24-2009 record addition. Accessed 8-9-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42339155/sarah-elizabeth-neely

 

Find A Grave. “Sarah Lou Jones.” Record created by Theron Rogers; added 1-7-2014. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122951850/sarah-lou-jones

 

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

 

Grazulis, Thomas P. The Tornado: Nature’s Ultimate Windstorm. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2001, 324 pages.

 

Hamilton Evening Sun, OH. “The Dead. Tornado.” 6-2-1903, p. 1. Accessed 8-9-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hamilton-evening-sun-jun-02-1903-p-1/

 

Indianapolis Journal, IN. “Eighty-Five Dead…Death Rides a Tornado…Two-Thirds of the Victims Are White Women and Children Employes of the Cotton Mill.” 6-2-1903, p. 1. Accessed 8-10-2018 at: https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=IJ19030602.1.1

 

Jasper Weekly Courier, IN. “One Hundred Lives Lost. Tornado Strikes Gainesville, Ga…,” 6-5-1903, p. 6. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=JWC19030605.1.6

 

Los Angeles Herald, CA. “Death in Tornado’s Path. Gainesville, Ga., Struck by Terrific Whirlwind and Large Section of Town is in Ruins, With Fully One Hundred Killed.” 6-2-1903, p. 1. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19030602.2.2

 

Marbury, J. B. “Tornado at Gainesville, Ga., June 1, 1903,” Monthly Weather Review, June 1903, pp. 268-269. Accessed 8-9-2018 at: ftp://ftp.library.noaa.gov/docs.lib/htdocs/rescue/mwr/031/mwr-031-06-0268b.pdf

 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The 25 Deadliest U.S. Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center, NOAA. Accessed 10-12-2008 at:  http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/killers.html

 

Plymouth Tribune, IN. “Death in the Winds.” 6-4-1903, p. 1. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=PT19030604.1.1

 

The World, NYC. “Dead in Southern Tornado Reach 111.” 6-3-1903, p. 2. Accessed 8-10-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-york-world-jun-03-1903-p-2/

 

Union Recorder, Milledgeville, GA. “The Gainesville Cyclone.” 6-9-1903, p. 3. Accessed 8-11-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/milledgeville-union-recorder-jun-09-1903-p-3/

 

Vardeman, Johnny. “113 years ago, another tornado took deadly toll on Gainesville.” Gainesville Times, GA. 5-22-2016. Accessed 8-9-2018 at: https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/columnists/columnists/johnny-vardeman-113-years-ago-another-tornado-took-deadly-toll-on-gainesville/

 

[1] We believe, after reviewing sources noted, that at least ninety-eight people died. Other sources we cite show a higher number of deaths, noting, as some do that a number of initial survivors later died from injuries. We use 113 as the high-end of the range based on the work of Collier, as noted by Vardeman.

[2] Not used in tally in that this is a first day estimated death toll.

[3] “The late Paul Collier, who researched the storm, counted 113 dead in various reports of the aftermath. Some died weeks after their injuries.”

[4] Just an excursion to determine what number this particular tally by location would show.

[5] In his heading, Grazulis notes 98 deaths. Within his narrative notes “Indications that the death toll was probably 104 comes from newspapers (in 1932) which may have kept track of later deaths from injuries.” It is not stated where the other eight deaths (above the approximately 90 noted) occurred.

[6] “The five-story wooden structure that housed the Gainesville Cotton Mill was it, and the upper stories were badly damaged. Unfortunately, 250 children were employed on the top floor. The flying debris and the force of the wind killed some on the upper floors and many others were hurled to the ground below. The fifth floor of the mill fell forward, in the direction of the storm’s progress. Ten people who had escaped from the mill were killed when the huge iron cupola, atop a 50-foot by 40-foot standpipe, crashed to the ground after being carried 100 feet in the air. Up to this point, the tornado was only 50-75 yards wide. About 50 people were killed at the cotton mill.”

[7] This account appears to be the first non-newspaper account noting 98 deaths. It was written for the June edition of the Monthly Weather Review, and perhaps before deaths from injuries were able to be taken into account. Later weather-related documents (Brooks and Doswell, Grazulis and NOAA) appear to be based upon Marbury.

[8] Find A Grave. “Homer Ash.” Record created by F. Ragan Hoover and added 2-8-2011.

[9] Find A Grave. “Gordon ‘Golden’ Ash.” Record created by F. Ragan Hoover and added 2-8-2011.

[10] Plymouth Tribune, IN. “Death in the Winds.” 6-4-1903, p. 1.

[11] Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

[12] Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

[13] Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

[14] Daughter of General Marion Jackson and Frances Jane Mashburn Jackson. Find A Grave. “Lula Jackson.”

[15] Burial headstone reads “Killed by Cyclone.” Find A Grave. “Sarah Lou Jones.”

[16] Another paper notes death of “Grady Lee” whom we think could be same person — Jack Grady Lee. (Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.)

[17] Find A Grave. “John J. Mayne.” Also noted in The World, NY. “Dead in…Tornado Reach 111,” 6-3-1903.

[18] Not numbered in that we believe this is a reference to John Paul Murphy.

[19] Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

[20] Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

[21] Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

[22] Not numbered in that we believe this is a reference to Bessie May Skinner.

[23] I believe Bessie May Skinner was the sister of Odom A. Skinner. The Find A Grave page shows a two-headed tombstone showing both names.

[24] See also: Baltimore Sun. “Funerals Are Rushed…Gainesville.” 6-4-1903, p. 2.

[25] The June 4th Baltimore Sun notes that “Eight bodies are still unidentified…”

[26] Jasper Weekly Courier, IN. “One Hundred Lives Lost. Tornado Strikes Gainesville, Ga…,” 6-5-1903, p. 6.

[27] Jasper Weekly Courier, IN. “One Hundred Lives Lost. Tornado Strikes Gainesville, Ga…,” 6-5-1903, p. 6.

[28] Jasper Weekly Courier, IN. “One Hundred Lives Lost. Tornado Strikes Gainesville, Ga…,” 6-5-1903, p. 6.

[29] Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

[30] Jasper Weekly Courier, IN. “One Hundred Lives Lost. Tornado Strikes Gainesville, Ga…,” 6-5-1903, p. 6.

[31] Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

[32] Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.

[33] Jasper Weekly Courier, IN. “One Hundred Lives Lost. Tornado Strikes Gainesville, Ga…,” 6-5-1903, p. 6.

[34] Or “Okeley.” Jasper Weekly Courier, IN. “One Hundred Lives Lost. Tornado…Gainesville, Ga…,” 6-5-1903, p6.

[35] Husband’s name “Tom” from: Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, 1.

[36] Middle initial of “R” is from: Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, 1.

[37] Another paper notes the death in New Holland of Mrs. Wm. Bobo. (Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “A Tornado in Georgia Kills An Hundred.” 6-2-1903, p. 1.) We are inclined to think this is one and the same person.

[38] New Holland at the time was a village on northeast side of Gainesville. White Sulphur and White Sulphur Springs are a few miles more northeast.